CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST

CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST

JOB SUMMARY

Assesses patients and implements psychosocially oriented individual and group interventions for patients 0 – 21 years.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITION

• Demonstrates the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the needs of patients' birth to 21years of age.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patients served.
• Completes assessments, ongoing evaluation and progress notes for patients per policy; and prepares patient specific protocols as assigned.
• Provides developmental care to children and their families, using play, education to help children cope with stressful medical experiences, reduce anxiety and promote healthy development.
• Advocates for procedure support and promotes hospital adjustment and coping interventions for the children as appropriate.
• Advocates for community re-integration and wellness-oriented recreation and leisure opportunities.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively manage goal oriented individual and group programming.
• Supports families through education, emotional support, and resources to help them understand their child’s illness and cope with challenges of hospitalization.
• Demonstrates the ability to independently plan and carry out community re-entry programs, school re-entry programs, and Sibshops programs, outpatient clinics or special events as assigned.
• Demonstrates ongoing assessments of patient adjustment to hospitalization and illness and adapts treatment plans accordingly.
• Documents patient behaviors in medical chart as clinically indicated.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families and hospital staff.
• Interviews, trains and supervises volunteers and interns.
• Demonstrates and promotes excellence in customer service. Able to independently plan, lead and evaluate internal and external groups and special events.
• Responds promptly to changes in workload, adjusting assignments as necessary to achieve optimal productivity and efficiency.
• Demonstrates familiarity of and knowledge about TJC and CARF standards as they relate to our programming and protocols.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care.
• Advanced training in area of specialty.
• Participates in and represents the department at team meetings or assigned work groups.
• Follows departmental guidelines related to productivity and efficiency with regard to direct-patient care hours and other duties, as assigned. 
• Assists in a quick and decisive manner in emergency situations. Communicates clearly in a verbal and written manner to document incidents, as needed, and escalates chain of command.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Educational Requirements

BS/BA Degree in Child and Family Development, Therapeutic Recreation, Psychology, Education or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.

Licensure, Certification and Registration

• Must be a certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CRTS) at time of hire or obtain certification within first six months of hire.
• American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR (May be obtained within three months of hire)
• Other hospital-based mandatories, as assigned, to include, but not limited to, behavior management and de-escalation training and respiratory training.

Work Orientation and Experience

Internship within a Child Life Program; under the direction of a certified Child Life Specialist. Experience in planning and leading activities for children with special needs, patient assessment, documentation and procedural support required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively and courteously with patients, visitors, and members of the healthcare team.
• Able to effectively manage children with special physical and psychosocial needs in a group or individual setting.
• Able to bend, stoop and lift children of varying weight and sizes up to 50 lbs unassisted.
• Respiratory Training (may be obtained within three months of hire).
• Handle with Care behavior management training
• Ability to act quickly and decisively in emergency situations
• Able to communicate clearly and concisely both in written and verbal context

Other Requirements Specific to Assigned Area

• Effective July 1, 2009, must be certified in Child Life at time of hire or obtain certification within first six months of hire. Anyone hired prior to July 1, 2009, and not currently certified, but in good standing at MWPH, may be grandfathered in to that role.

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Supervision Received

Manager Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation or Senior Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Supervision Exercised

As assigned, supervises area assistants, students, interns and volunteers.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Directly interfaces daily with patients, visitors, other healthcare team members and staff.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT USED

Operates patient care equipment specific to the age, condition and location of the patient such as adaptive equipment, feeding tubes and pumps, oxygen administration equipment and respiratory care equipment. Operates electrical games and computers.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS

Limited risk of exposure to body fluids, infectious waste or blood borne diseases requiring the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to established protocol. Subjected to irregular hours. Occasional stress due to emergency situations or multiple demands.

This job description identifies the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not to be considered an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties or skills required of an incumbent.

 Revised 12/04/2019, 04/02/2025