Child Life Specialist

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position plans and provides therapeutic intervention and appropriate psychosocial/developmental care under the general supervision and direction of the Child Life Coordinator for pediatric/adolescent patients and families to assist them in effectively coping with the stress and anxiety of health care experiences as well as to maximize the growth and development of children and adolescents in the hospital setting.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Assesses patients and facilitates play interactions with regard to developmental level, interest, capabilities, special concerns, life situations, and stress vulnerability potential related to illness, injury and health care. Documents assessments in interdisciplinary charts when appropriate.
• Formulates and revises child life patient care plans to develop appropriate strategies for child life care in conjunction with other health team members. Documents implementation of plan on child life documentation form, and when appropriate, in patient's interdisciplinary chart.
• Provides therapeutic child life care for patients/families based upon the needs assessment and patient care plan. This includes medical play activities, psychological preparation, teaching effective coping behaviors, and staying with children through procedures to help implement effective coping behaviors. Ensures toys and patient activities are developmentally supportive.
• Provides supportive relationships, emotional support, information and role modeling to patients and family members to foster appropriate interaction with children in a hospital setting.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates child life care plans and programs to encourage optimum growth, development and self-esteem of children and adolescents, and to facilitate functional family interactions.
• Facilitates social interactions between patients and families to foster parent-to-parent, peer support and normal social development.
• Assists in the maintenance of a safe and therapeutic patient care environment.
• Maintains age-appropriate supply of therapeutic play materials (e.g., arts, crafts, games, books,); evaluates the need for equipment and supplies.
• Participates in continuing education programs and remains abreast of advances in child development and programs for hospitalized children; provides interdisciplinary in-service education on child development, child life, and the impact of illness, injury and health care on patients and families.
• Coordinates patient's interactions/activities with available volunteers.
• Participates in the selection, training, supervision and evaluation of Child Life Assistant I, Child Life Assistant II, Child Life student interns and volunteers.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Assists in assessing patient/family needs for outpatient psychosocial care and recommending referrals.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.

• Care is appropriate to the population served.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

• Knowledge of age appropriate activities for children.

• Knowledge of recreational therapy care for adults and pediatric patient populations.

• Ability to implement diversionary and recreational activities to enhance coping in adults and pediatric patient populations.

• Ability to schedule appropriate entertainment and educational activities and address the psychosocial needs of children and families to create a minimally threatening therapeutic environment.

• Ability to enhance the hospital experience of patients by coordinating efforts of community groups and individuals involved in child life programs.

• Ability to collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and evaluate psychosocial care and to facilitate holistic care for patients.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field, or equivalency.
• One year related experience.

Licenses Required

• Current certification as a Child Life Specialist.

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Preferred

• Duel certification in Child Life and Recreational Therapy.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Color Determination, Listening, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Walking