Child Life Specialist

• Promote normal growth and development and optimal adjustment of pediatric patients, dependent child(ren) of adult patients, and families to hospitalization, treatment, illness, and disability
• Provide appropriate interventions based on assessment of child(ren)'s developmental and psychosocial needs
• Provide guidance regarding communication with and parenting of children of adult patients
• Develop, implement and evaluate treatment plans for high priority children
• Provide education and emotional support to patients and families
• Facilitate support and intervention for children, patient, and family members as needed
• Collaborate with other department staff and programs to make referrals for patients/children and assist with integration of patients and families into other multidisciplinary services.
• Participate as a member of unit multidisciplinary team and act as a resource for staff, sharing resources and information pertaining to child life, child development and adjustment to a loved one's illness and hospitalization:
• Collaborate with health care team in developing care plans
• Act as a resource regarding developmental information and adjustment to illness and hospitalization; safe, age-appropriate play and materials; environment; and community resources
• Provide formal (in-services) and informal (one-to-one) education for staff
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings and care conferences
• Participate in division-wide and departmental meeting
• Document one's work in the electronic health record as appropriate
• Participate in other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field
• Must have and maintain Certified Child Life Specialist certification
• 1-2 years of experience
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills
• Able to deal courteously and sensitively with patients and families
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with patients, families, providers, staff, volunteers, and non-employees who are diverse, e.g., in terms of race, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, socio-economic, neurodiversity, and other ways
• Demonstrates professional values and behaviors, demonstrates good boundaries, demonstrates good leadership skills, remains non-judgmental, and respects the dignity and worth of every individual
• Must have excellent child life specialist skills, work well independently and with others, function well in complex and constantly changing contexts, be committed to continuous improvement, have good analytical skills, be able to prioritize work responsibilities effectively and appropriately, and work well with electronic charting and Microsoft Office

• Education or experience working with infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting
• Substantial experience in oncology
• Substantial experience in working with adult patients with dependent, minor children

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center