Child Life Specialist

Child Life Specialist

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Job Summary:

Join Our Team at UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health as a Child Life Specialist!

UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH) in Butner, North Carolina, is seeking a passionate and team-oriented Child Life Specialist to support our patients and their families. YBH is a state-of-the-art, 54-bed psychiatric facility providing 24-hour care for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, and complex behaviors. Our philosophy emphasizes a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment designed to foster safety, positive coping skills, and healthy living.

Qualified candidates will work directly with the Mental Health Team Therapy Services Managers at the Medical Center and Youth Behavioral Health team. In addition to meeting the day-to-day coping and adjustment needs of pediatric patients and families, the Child Life Specialist teaches, supervises, and evaluates the work of volunteers and child life student interns.

In this role, you will assess and provide developmentally appropriate treatment for pediatric physical, cognitive, social, emotional, leisure/play, and life skill needs. You will also educate families on effective methods and strategies to improve pediatric patients' quality of life and provide community outreach education and programmatic services to enhance children's overall well-being.

We're looking for a dynamic professional with excellent interpersonal skills, a commitment to collaboration, and a dedication to making a difference in the lives of young patients.

If you're ready to join a supportive team in a meaningful role, apply today!

Schedule: This position is 40 hours/week, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and holiday coverage requirements.

Please note: This position requires satisfaction of the Child Life Certifying Commission's coursework and internship requirements prior to the start of employment. This includes 600 child life internship hours under the supervision of a certified child life specialist.

Responsibilities:

• Completes child life documentation per team guidelines. Manages daily caseload with efficiency and efficacy. Meets productivity standards per team guidelines.
• Evaluates patient progress towards treatment plan and responses to treatment interventions, adapts as necessary in compliance with team performance expectations. Designs treatment plans and individualized and/or group treatment interventions for assigned patient population to meet their treatment needs with teammates and other disciplines in compliance with team performance expectations.
• Provides clinical guidance and teaching for students and/or staff under the guidance of the clinical specialist or other subject matter experts.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, communicating about individual patient needs to inform child life interventions.
• Assists in the planning and coordinating of clinical programs in collaboration with the clinical specialist or manager.
• Plans for patient discharge and recommends continued service or aftercare in accordance with team performance expectations.

Other Information

Education Requirements: Bachelor's degree Child Life or a related field that meets the Child Life Council's recommendation for coursework concentration in Child Life, which includes an internship. Licensure/Certification Requirements: Certification by the Child Life Certifying Commission within six (6) months of hire. BLS within 3 months of hire date. Professional Experience Requirements: No prior experience required. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Exhibits effective communication and interprofessional skills; requires physical stamina and repetitive movements, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, and squatting during patient interventions while supporting one's weight; can engage in high-level problem-solving to ensure patient safety during mobilization.