Child Life Specialist Entry

About the Role

The Child Life Specialist (CLS), Entry is an entry-level position for uncertified Child Life Specialists. The CLS Entry supports patients and families in healthcare and community settings by addressing the psychosocial and emotional challenges associated with illness and injury. This role uses developmentally appropriate education, procedural support, therapeutic play, emotional processing, and empowerment strategies to promote coping and adjustment. The CLS Entry collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare and psychosocial teams to support emotionally safe, family-centered care. The role also contributes to departmental efforts by assisting with resource development, planning, and facilitation of special events.

Key Responsibilities

• Applies formal and informal techniques to assess patient/family acuity and psychosocial risk while adapting services to meet the patient/family’s needs, goals, and preferences. Collects, interprets, and integrates relevant data into the psychosocial assessment and plan of care.
• Considers the impact of diagnosis, procedures, and treatment. Incorporates into interventions the anticipated impacts of illness, injury, and healthcare experiences.
• Facilitates basic interventions which allow children/youth to express feelings, process upsetting events, and explore positive coping skills while creating opportunities which strengthen the patients’ self-esteem, independence, and understanding of medical diagnosis of care.
• Utilizes best practice and/or evidence-based practice to ensure a high level of care.
• Facilitates basic interventions including psychological preparation and/or procedure support to infants/children/youth undergoing medical procedures or surgeries to improve coping and understanding.
• Implements short and long-term plans for patients and families; monitors progress and evaluates overall developmental response to hospitalization and/or medical care.
• Collaborates with internal and external CHCO organizational partners and participates in special events including fundraising efforts, to foster hospital engagement.
• Documents in the patient electronic medical record to meet regulatory and departmental documentation.
• Participates in departmental committees, quality improvement, professional development, and/or research initiatives/programs related to Child Life services as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor of General Studies
• Area of Study: Child Life, Child Development, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related fields.

Qualifications

• Minimum Experience Required: Successful completion of 600 hours of child life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• License required after hire: Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.

Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience. Hourly Range: $26.99 to $40.48