Child Life Specialist, Children's Hospital, FT, Variable

Child Life Specialist

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Provides optimal development & psychosocially appropriate care for pediatric patients & families. Assesses children's development & coping needs, and implements developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions such as play, medical play, psychological preparation, & rehearsed coping to minimize distress associated with the healthcare environment & to foster resiliency. Collaborates as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and administer an individualized plan of care.

Essential Functions

• Delivers Child Life Services, including therapeutic play, education, procedural preparation, and coping support tailored to each patient's developmental and emotional needs.
• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans to promote optimal growth, development, and psychosocial well-being.
• Uses developmentally appropriate, medically accurate information to prepare children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures, providing psychological preparation to reduce fear, pain, and anxiety.
• Facilitates medical play to help children explore, express feelings, and gain mastery over their hospital experience.
• Collaborates with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to create and integrate family-centered goals of care.
• Offers education to patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatments, and the impact of hospitalization to minimize trauma and developmental disruption.
• Provides culturally sensitive emotional support to patients and families, respecting individual values and beliefs.
• Maintains accurate, timely patient care documentation in compliance with hospital policies.
• Participates in care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings, contributing to treatment planning and discussion.
• Trains, guides, and provides feedback to volunteers and students involved in child life services.

Professional

• Demonstrates clinical competency in direct patient care and successfully meets 100% of the core Child Life competencies established by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
• Actively pursues ongoing professional growth through mentorship, continuing education, and/or other learning opportunities.
• Participates in in-service trainings and continuing education programs, and shares key updates or new knowledge with the department through staff in-services or presentations.

Operational

• Acts as a financial steward by implementing cost-effective programming, adhering to budget guidelines, and supporting fundraising efforts through donor engagement.
• Contributes to departmental operations and professional growth by participating in projects, initiatives, and committees.
• Collaborates with team members to achieve departmental goals and performance targets.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, or related field of study.
• Experience - Completion (or nearing completion) of Child Life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist following ACLP standards

In Lieu Of

• NA

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Child Life Certification (Must obtain within one year of employment)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of infant, child and adolescent growth and development
• Demonstrated experience working with infants, children and adolescents in healthcare or related settings
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meets deadlines
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Goal-oriented with the capacity to set priorities and achieve results while maintaining high professional standards

Work Shift Variable (United States of America)

Location Richland

Facility 1510 Richland Hospital

Department 15106521 Childrens Hospital Child Life

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