Child Life Specialist - CCLS Eligible Required

• Provides preparation and support to patients undergoing medical procedures and treatments through pre-procedural teaching and assesses coping skills and adjustment to hospitalization, surgery and/or chronic illness on a daily basis. • Uses formal and informal assessment techniques to accurately determine patient’s developmental and emotional states. • Uses developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aids and techniques to increase knowledge and support emotional needs. • Advocates for the needs of patients and families by communicating important information with the appropriate health care professionals. • Writes concise, objective, and accurate clinical notes, documenting pertinent information in a timely manner.
• Facilitates interaction with patients, siblings, and parents. • Recognizes and addresses the importance of therapeutic play in facilitating child’s mastery of and coping with the health care experience. • Incorporates family’s involvement into their child’s care, identifies family needs and views. • Communicates with patients and families using theories of human growth and development, family systems and cultural background.
• Actively advocates patient needs to medical team members and ancillary services. Seeks appropriate/alternative approaches to care which may minimize the impact of the healthcare experience. • Communicates concisely with other professionals, integrating theory and evidence based practice to obtain and share pertinent information. • Demonstrates respect for the viewpoints of other professionals. • Coordinates child life services with families and professionals. • Promotes child life within own department/area using creative ways and approaches with staff and families.
• Coordinates and participates in educational programs that explain Child Life Services. • Actively participates in the New Employee Orientation of new hires. • Coordinates school re-entry programs or support groups as needed. • Actively involved in providing a safe learning environment for our intern and practicum students. • Participates in the volunteer program and assists in modifying the process as needed.
• Coordinates outreach programs, pre-op preparation education and/or support groups. • Recognizes verbal and nonverbal cues and adapts teaching accordingly. • Assesses knowledge, misconceptions, previous experiences and unique socio- cultural learning needs. • Provides educational information to various groups within the hospital and community when relevant.
• Maintains play area in a safe, orderly, and child friendly condition and ensures that toys are appropriately cleaned and kept in good condition. • Follows Infection Control and safety procedures and policies. • Maintains playroom in a safe and orderly manner. • Toys are maintained and cleaned using an approved cleaner. • Assures availability of toys for various age ranges and developmental levels.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding development, trends, and techniques in Child Life. • Incorporates Child Life trends and best practices into care delivery. • Identifies resources and opportunities for professional development.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or related field Required

• Successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required
• Clinical internship is a minimum of 600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Required and
• Previous experience in a hospital setting as a Child Life Specialist Preferred

• Requires experience with healthy children and hospitalized children generally acquired through field experience and a Child Life internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Professionals
• Possesses interpersonal skills which enable the individual to establish professional rapport with patients and families, and possesses assertive skills necessary to advocate effectively for patients and families.

• CCLS - Certified Child Life Specialist within two years of hire date Required and
• BCLS - Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association within 180 Days Required

Children's Nebraska