Child Life Specialist

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Community Health duties: Delivers training, facilitates sessions, and educates the community on a variety of clinical topics.   A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs.  The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education.   A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience.  Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems. 

Job Overview 

This position is responsible for providing a program of developmentally appropriate play and activity, preparation and emotional support designed to help pediatrics patient and their families cope with the stress of illness or injury, hospitalization, treatments and procedures.  As an integral part of the health care team, this position advocates for the needs of children and families and is a resource for other professionals. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Human Development, or a related field. 

2. Completion of 400-hour Child Life Internship. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Child Life certification or eligible to apply for certification. 

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Provides developmentally appropriate play and activities to support normal growth and development. 

2. Designs and implements individual interventions based on assessment of a patient’s development, coping style, diagnosis and treatment, and psychosocial supports. 

3. Uses medical play and developmentally appropriate language and teaching tools to ensure adequate preparation for medical interventions and encourage understanding and mastery of diagnosis, medical care and experiences. 

4. Uses therapeutic/diversional techniques to support patients during treatments and procedures. 

5. Communicates pertinent information concerning patient care at appropriate rounds, case conferences and in the medical record. 

6. Offers support to parents and family members; uses developmentally appropriate interventions in supporting siblings. 

7. Encourages continuity of normal life experiences by preparing birthday and holiday celebrations, arranging for educational tutoring when appropriate, and using resources to accommodate cultural needs and bridge differences. 

8. Provides training and supervision for Child Life and child development students and volunteers.   

9. Assists in managing supplies, cleaning and maintaining toys and equipment, and recording census and intervention data.  

10. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment. 

Physical Requirements:  

1. Works in Inpatient and/or outpatient pediatric clinical care areas. 

2. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-25 lbs.  

3. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

4. Specific vision abilities apply including close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.  

5. Frequently communicates internally and externally; must be able to exchange accurate information via phone, email and/or in person. 

6. Continuous exposure to sick patients and bodily substances.  Occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals. 

7. Manual dexterity to type information into medical records. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1. Ability to apply understanding of child growth and development and the impact that medical experiences can have on this process. 

2. Ability to work with infants, toddlers, preschool and school age children, and adolescents in developmentally appropriate ways. 

3. Ability to read/write and communicate in English with a demonstrated ability to show empathy and sympathy through spoken and written words.  

4. Skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. 

5. Ability to function well in very busy situations. 

6. Responsible and reliable. 

7. Good organizational skills. 

8. Demonstrates knowledge of CQI process 

9. Understands family dynamics and works effectively within various types of family systems. 

10. Excellent interpersonal skills.