Child Life Specialist

Job Title: Child Life Specialist - Pediatrics/Children Hospital

About the Role

• Full time, Days schedule (8:00 am - 4:30 pm)

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborates with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care and address the child's needs.
• Advocates for the child's well-being, ensuring their needs are met and their voice is heard within the healthcare setting.
• Provides support and guidance to parents and family members, helping them cope with their own emotional challenges and the impact of the child's illness.
• Provides emotional support, helping children and families process their experiences, fears, and anxieties related to illness and hospitalization.
• Prepares children for medical procedures, explaining what to expect in an age-appropriate manner and using play to simulate or practice procedures.
• Offers information about medical diagnoses, treatments, and hospital routines, helping children and families understand their situation.
• Assesses the child's and family's needs and develops individualized care plans.
• Creates a safe and comfortable environment for children and families, promoting a sense of normalcy and well-being.
• Helps children develop coping skills through play, art, music, and other forms of self-expression.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of child life programs and identifies areas for improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must satisfy the Child Life Certifying Commission’s coursework and internship requirements prior to the start of employment.
• Requires 600 child life internship hours under the supervision of a certified child life specialist.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Child Life or a related field that meets the Child Life Council's recommendation for coursework concentration in Child Life.
• Certification: Certification by the Child Life Certifying Commission within twelve (12) months of hire.