Child Life Specialist

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Job Title:

Child Life Specialist

Cost Center:

301351047 MfdHos-Child Life Services

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

8

Employee Type:

Casual

Work Shift:

Casual; variable shifts (United States of America)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

The Child Life Specialist helps children and teenagers cope with their health care experiences.  The Child Life Specialist will offer support to the individual in the hospital/clinic by preparing them and providing support and distraction during medical procedures.  The Child Life Specialist serves as an advocate to the child or teenager and their family members assisting with questions and helping them to understand what is happening at a developmentally appropriate level.  The Child Life Specialist will utilize appropriate therapeutic play to relieve stress and teach coping mechanisms to help children and teenagers cope with illnesses and injuries.  The Child Life Specialist will participate as part of the interdisciplinary team creating treatment plans for the patient and family.

WORK SHIFT

Variable Day/PM shifts including occasional weekends.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

For positions requiring education beyond a high school diploma or equivalent, educational qualifications must be from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education and Accreditation.

Minimum Required: Bachelor’s degree in child life, therapeutic recreation with an emphasis in child life, child development, psychology, or related field.

Preferred/Optional: Master’s degree in child life, therapeutic recreation with an emphasis in child life, child development, psychology, or related field.

EXPERIENCE 

Minimum Required: Successful completion of 600 hours in a child life internship and/or experience as a Child Life Specialist and eligible to sit for the Child Life Certification exam.

Preferred/Optional:  One year of experience in related field.  Effective communication skills, initiative, flexibility, and a team player. Knowledge and experience utilizing technology, and other appropriate children’s resources.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES 

The following licensure(s), certification(s), registration(s), etc., are required for this position.  Licenses with restrictions are subject to review to determine if restrictions are substantially related to the position.

Minimum Required: Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) certification awarded by the Association of Child Life Professionals within one year of hire. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification awarded by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross within one month of hire.

Preferred/Optional: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification awarded by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.  Basic Life Support (BLS) certification awarded by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross at time of hire.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Utilizes developmentally and emotionally appropriate play to assess and meet the child’s psychosocial needs in the healthcare setting. Formulates and implements child life goals based on individual assessments and child life/therapeutic recreation practices to help the child develop attainable goals/skills. Seeks the involvement of families in their child’s child life goals and matches expectations with family needs and views, to ensure the family’s support of the child and their development. Facilitates group activities and provides design input for other patientcare areas to promote the use, orientation, personalization, comfort and security for each individual participating.  Empathizes objectively to assist patients in coping with the stress of hospitalization, illness, death and/or loss. Uses developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aids and techniques to increase the knowledge of the patient and family and ensure the emotional needs are supported. Communicates regularly with the patient’s medical team to ensure the medical needs are the center focus and coordinate child life activities around the patient’s treatment and care giver schedules. Documents developmental, behavioral and other necessary items in the patient’s medical record to provide accurate documentation of the patient’s medical history for future use and recommends consults or referrals when the patient’s needs are beyond the scope of the child life program. Gives lectures and programs in the community and within the healthcare system, adapting approaches,