Child Life Specialist - UMHP - Pediatric Cardiology * Days - 40hrs/wk

General Purpose of Job : Under limited direction, the Child Life Specialist is responsible for the care of pediatric patients in various stages of development. The Child Life Specialist provides emotional support to pediatric patients and families, helping them to understand and cope with healthcare experiences. They promote normal development, encourage positive coping techniques for medical procedures, and strives to minimize negative psychological effects of healthcare encounters.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (If something is not required but is preferred, enter preferred at the end of sentence).

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life Education, Psychology, Social Work, Human Development and Family Studies or related field. License / Certification / Registration : Current and maintained certification as a Child Life Specialist is required. Experience : Four (4) years of Child Life Specialist experience preferred. Three (3) years of customer service / patient care experience within a hospital or healthcare setting preferred.

Skills Abilities : Must demonstrate competence in and understanding of: human growth and development, family dynamics, developmental assessments, therapeutic interventions, play and activities, childhood diseases, and medical terminology. Must have excellent written/verbal communication skills. Meet the eligibility requirements to supervise clinical experiences based on the Child Life Council’s guidelines.

Essential Duties

Mentor and educate clinical staff in the delivery of age specific delivery of care, including but not limited to all educational activities related to Child Life Services. Implement Child Life interventions and activities for pediatric patients, siblings, and children of adult patients. Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to support clinical teams in meeting the medical and psychosocial needs of UMH-West patients.

Document assessments and interventions in the electronic patient record. Act as a resource to patients, families, and hospital staff for information regarding child development and how the hospital, specialty and outpatient clinic settings can affect the pediatric population and family dynamic. Provide education about child passenger safety and instruction on the proper use and installation of car seats.

Adhere to the Association of Child Life Professionals’ Code of Ethics. Performs other duties as assigned. These may include but are not limited to: Maintaining a current knowledge base of department processes, protocols and procedures, assist with patient flow, pursuing self-directed learning and continuing education opportunities, and participating on committees, task forces, and work groups as determined by management with regular and predictable attendance.