Child Life Specialist (Per Diem, Days)

Job Summary

Works alongside the Child Life team to assist the child and/or family in their adjustment to hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan by providing pre/post procedural/surgical teachings, emotional support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during painful procedures, and medical play to enhance understanding. Collaborates as a member of the interdisciplinary team to develop and administer an individualized plan of care, adhering to the professional standards of practice of the Child Life Council. Mentorship with leadership and/or Child Life team will be provided during the first year for an on-going orientation to organization, unit, and department.

Job Specific Duties

• Assists the patient/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan.
• Provides pre/post procedural and surgical teachings to patients and families.
• Offers emotional support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during painful procedures, and engages in medical play to enhance patient understanding.
• Covers caseload thoroughly and prioritizes patients based on the Child Life Council's guidelines for the standard of care; plans & organizes daily routine; meets deadlines for assigned projects.
• Develops a productive work environment that incorporates volunteers into daily programming through delegating, valuing input, empowering, and providing feedback.
• Facilitates shadowing opportunities to students and/or new hire after completion of training and after a total of 6 months on designated unit.
• Establishes and maintains a healthy, balanced, and therapeutic relationship with the patient and family within the integrated healthcare system based on their needs.
• Identifies & addresses the learning needs for patients/families; identifies inhibitors to learning process & readiness to learn; adjusts teaching strategies based on age, ethnic & gender issues.
• Interacts in a cooperative manner within the healthcare team to support and contribute to the shared patient/family focused care goals through professional communications techniques.
• Utilizes a clinical decision-making process and critical thinking to effectively deliver patient care with all healthcare providers across the continuum of care.
• Utilizes clinical decision making processes to achieve desired patient/family outcomes.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field
• American Heart Association AED - must maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• Meets eligibility requirements to sit for Child Life Professional Certification Examination (requires Bachelor's Degree and completion of 600-hour internship)
• Completion of Child Life internship following the Association of Child Life Professionals current standards; documentation from internship program (OR) ACLP clearance to sit for certification exam
• Child Life work experience
• Complete at least 10 hours of professional development hours (PDU) per year.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master's degree preferred.
• Knowledge of procedures, illnesses, injuries, and other related events on a nursing unit.
• Able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide appropriate care to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit