Child Life Assistant

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

 

About Duke University Hospital

 

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States and is the number one hospital in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report for 2023-2024. Duke University Hospital is the largest of Duke Health's three hospitals and features 1048 patient beds, 65 operating rooms, as well as comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

 

GRANT FUNDED for (1) Year commitment

 

General Description of the Job Class

Provide a variety of interventions for pediatric patients and families to promote relaxation, play, normalization and optimal development in the hospital setting.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

• Gather information about the psychosocial needs of patients and families. Provide play/recreational activities for assigned patients consistent with developmental needs to enhance the social-emotional development, provide a sense of normalcy and reduce the traumatic effects of the hospital environment. Participate in activities to support family-centered care. Document interactions in the medical record.
• Plan and implement therapeutic and developmentally appropriate activities for patients and families to participate in individual, group and/or bedside settings. Utilize developmentally appropriate play materials for children and families.
• Maintain on-going communication with nurses and clinical staff in order to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care. Make referrals and escalate concerns to the appropriate clinical staff.
• Maintain an appropriate activity room to ensure a safe and secure environment for patients and families. Maintain activity room attendance logs.
• Facilitate Pets at Duke dog visits with pediatric patients and families.
• Supervise volunteers and child life students.
• Participates in ongoing communication with the Pediatric Volunteer Coordinator.
• Manage and assist with special events and donations as needed.
• Participate in departmental and supervision meetings.
• Participate in programs for professional training and development; in order to enhance job performance.
• Perform other administrative and related duties incidental to the work described herein.

 

Manager Preferences:

• Must have completed 4 classes in child development, exceptional children, elementary education or similar coursework.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

Education

 

High school education or equivalent. Preferred Associate’s Degree in Child Care, Child Development, Education, or directly related field. Due to professional exemption, equivalent experience cannot be substituted for an associate's degree.

 

Experience

Two years of administrative support experience of increasing variety and/or complexity. Preferred - child care industry, working with children with special needs or direct work with children in an established school system preferred.

 

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Preferred Associate's Degree 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Interviewing Skills

Work independently with minimal supervision

Strong interpersonal skills

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

 

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

Ability to work independently and proactively

Ability to manage multiple tasks

Team-oriented and flexible attitude

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Strong customer services skills

 

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

 

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.<