Child Life Specialist

Job Summary The Child Life Specialist functions as a key member of the healthcare team, communicating all relevant developmental and psychosocial information to other team members via charting, participation in rounds and team meetings, etc. Responsibilities Upholds professional code of ethics (ACLP 2020) including the establishment of therapeutic relationships with patients and families that are clear, caring and boundaried. Consistently follows infection control guidelines to prevent cross contamination in the playroom, at bedside and during group activities. Assess patients' development, temperament, coping style and adjustment utilizing knowledge of child development and behavior, injury/disease, treatment, cultural and family systems to develop individualized treatment plan. Utilizes knowledge and resources to assess, plan, prioritize appropriate child life interventions. Assess patient and families to determine developmental level, emotional state, and individual needs. Provides education regarding illness/diagnosis, treatment, and coping techniques to patients, parents/caregivers and siblings. Provides preparation for patients and families for surgical, medical and diagnostic procedures using developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching tools and techniques with a goal of decreasing anxiety, increasing knowledge and coping. Provides a safe and therapeutic environment that encourages opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual play and activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping. Demonstrates, explains and provides stress reduction techniques before, during and/or after stressful experiences to facilitate adaptive coping. Encourages emotional expression in order to promote understanding, mastery and coping. Facilitates positive relationships with family members, using knowledge and resources to accommodate cultural needs and to bridge differences. Coordinates activities and special events in a manner that is collaborative with other departments and services. Creates and implements activities to assure continuity of normal life experiences such as birthdays and holidays. Provides support and information regarding bereavement and/or legacy building. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team in pain management and palliative care. Provides ongoing management, training, supervision and evaluation of child life interns to maintain ACLP clinical internship accreditation. Provides ongoing volunteer management, training, supervision and evaluation to best meet patient/family and unit needs. Participates in ongoing professional development. Qualifications / Requirements Experience Completion of a 600 Child Life internship under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Education A Bachelor's degree, required; Master's degree in Child Life, recreation, psychology, early childhood education or a closely related field, preferred. Licenses / Certifications At the time of hire, the candidate will need to either be certified or eligible for certification as documented by the ACLP and registered for the exam within a certain time period. Other Special Requirements #J-18808-Ljbffr Westchester Medical Center Health Network