The Sr. Child Life Specialist will assess the psychosocial needs of patients and their families to offer and implement supportive, therapeutic interventions such as preparation for health care encounters, procedural support and coping strategies, and opportunities for various types of play. The Sr. Child Life Specialist will be an advocate for pediatric patients and visitors and serve as a resource for other hospital staff in areas of child development, family-centered care, trauma-informed care, age appropriate and developmentally appropriate interactions, and bereavement support. The Sr. Child Life Specialist will be a resource for other staff within the department, using professional expertise to offer support and guidance.Responsibilities
Provides Child Life services in pediatric units as assigned and in other units as consulted
Assesses psychosocial and developmental needs of patients/families and implements or adapts services and goals as needed
Utilizes therapeutic interventions such as psychological preparation, procedural support, therapeutic play, medical play, bereavement support, etc. to facilitate coping with hospitalization
Provides developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed education and emotional support for children about health care encounters, the hospital environment, new diagnoses or injuries, grief, etc.
Documents interventions and services in a timely manner within the patient’s electronic health record
Works as part of the multi-disciplinary team to communicate, collaborate, educate, and advocate for patient- and family-centered care
Delegates appropriate duties to Activities Assistants and volunteers, supervises practicum students as assigned
Co-coordinates monthly education opportunities for staff, mentors new staff throughout the orientation period, assists with the annual department competency process
Actively participates in a hospital-based committee or organizational initiative to represent the psychosocial perspective and promote the growth and development of the Child Life Program
Experience RequiredMinimum of 5 years of experience requiredEducation RequirementsBachelor’s Degree required.Master’s Degree required in child life or other closely related field10+ years of experience as a Child Life Specialist acceptable in lieu of Master’s DegreeLicense/Certification RequirementsCertified Child Life Specialist required.Communication – Ability to communicate with patients, visitors and coworkers required.CPR-BLS preferred.Special Requirementsfull time, 40 hours a weekSalary Min ($)USD $24.00Salary Max ($)USD $40.00
