We change lives, one child at a time!

Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center is a pioneering provider of care, education and hope for children with some of the most challenging medical complexities any person can face. Featuring the largest long term residential medical center of its kind in the United States.

Child Life Specialist

• Certification in Child Life, or certification within 6 months of hire required.

Fulfill position functions and responsibilities necessary for ethical and efficacious programming of child life services. Plan developmentally-appropriate individual and group clinical sessions to meet resident-specific goals, and provide developmentally-appropriate procedural support and preparation. Function as integral part of creative arts therapy and child life team and neighborhood-based interdisciplinary team to promote quality family-centered care.

This is a per diem position 8:30a-5:00p

Responsibilities will include:

• Provide a full range of child life clinical services (caseloads, procedural support, clinic visits, family support etc.) with approximately 20 client-contact hours per week.
• Provide procedural support and logistical assistance for in-house clinics, in-house medical procedures and ADLs as indicated to meet resident needs.
• Provide developmentally-appropriate preparation and education for procedures, and provide procedural support for external appointments as indicated.
• Screen newly admitted residents to determine appropriateness for child life assessment, and communicate findings to team.
• Communicate referrals to child life team and conduct initial child life assessments for referred residents who are prioritized for services.
• Assure accurate physician’s orders for all residents on caseload, and consistently fulfill orders.
• Conduct individual and group clinical sessions, with child-centered, measurable goals.
• Participate in Plan of Care meetings when applicable to discuss clinical goals and progress.
• Maintain standard data-gathering techniques during all phases of clinical processing including assessment, therapy and evaluation.
• Adhere to established clinical documentation standards in a timely fashion.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to provide highest quality of care.
• Advocate for families and serve as a role model of family-centered care.
• Communicate with relevant child life staff in acute care settings to provide continuity of care when children are transferred to acute care.
• Provide clinical support to residents and families around times of crisis and transition (including sibling support, palliative and end-of-life care, discharge preparation, etc.).
• Provide complementary therapies as trained, when appropriate (e.g., Reiki, massage, Acutonics).
• Participate in interviewing, selecting and orienting child life interns.
• Participate in the supervision and training of child life interns and practicum students.
• Participate in providing child life orientation, in-services and educational opportunities for ESCC staff.
• Actively participate in pertinent ESCC committees and Business Plan teams as appropriate (e.g., Family Advisory Council, business plan work-groups, palliative care committee, etc.)
• Engage in on-going continuing education opportunities consistent with professional standards.
• Maintain departmental supplies and demonstrate appropriate care of departmental materials.
• Promotes Elizabeth Seton Children's Center’s Mission and Core Values of Respecting and Embracing Diversity, Excellence, Collaboration, Innovation, Evolution, Growth and Change and Loving Relationships by bringing these values to life in the organization.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Special Education or closely related field

• Certification in Child Life, or certification within 6 months of hire

Experience:

• Minimum of 1-2 years professional experience in a clinical pediatric setting

• Internship or fellowship in child life

• Clinical or volunteer experience with children with multiply handicapped and medically fragile children, preferred 

Salary:

$32.00/Hr.