Child Life Specialist

Child Life Specialists are trained professionals who work with children and families to help them navigate the emotional and psychological challenges related to illness, injury, and hospitalization. They provide essential support by reducing stress, anxiety, and fear through education, preparation, and support during medical procedures. Our child life specialists help kids learn about their hospitalization and diagnosis while encouraging play and offering vital emotional and developmental support. They collaborate closely with families and the medical teams to ensure children feel comfortable and reassured throughout their stay. Additionally, Child Life Specialists manage playrooms, available on certain units, offering a safe space for patients and their families to engage in play, helping to maintain a sense of normalcy during their hospital experience.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Required)
Master's Degree Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Preferred)

Work Experience

Completion of Child Life Internship (minimum 600 hours) and all internship prerequisites including, but not limited to volunteer hours and Child Life Practicum (Required)

Required Certifications

Candidate must be certified or eligible for Child Life Certification. Candidate must pass certification exam within 6 months of hire (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development based on the theories of development, including but not limited to Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, and Vygotsky
Knowledge of age-appropriate play and ability to utilize play as a mechanism for patient-understanding of the hospital environment and experiences
Ability to assess patient's development and response to hospital environment and provide developmentally appropriate interventions
Ability to discuss medical experiences in age-appropriate, child-friendly language
Understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills
Ability to comfortably work with internal and external customers from diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds.
Ability to identify and work collaboratively with diverse teams.
Ability to listen, be empathetic, motivate and follow-through, and eager to seize challenges and resolve issues

Functional Accountabilities
Direct Patient Care

• Assesses patients' development, temperament, coping style, and adjustment using knowledge of child development and behavior, disease/injury, treatment, healthcare stressors, cultural and family systems

• Uses knowledge and resources to create developmental plan and implement appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions.

• Provides therapeutic interactions and activities which offer emotional support, opportunities for continued growth and development, and diversion from the hospital experience

• Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping

• Uses preparation and medical play opportunities to help alleviate misconceptions and increase understanding of hospital procedures

• Provides procedural support to patients in order to foster increased coping skills and evaluates effectiveness of interventions to better inform and individualize future support

• Provides education and support to siblings and parents related to hospital visits, effects of hospitalization, procedures, new diagnoses, etc.

• Prioritizes own caseload daily in order to meet both child and departmental needs

• Participates in the weekday, weekend, and on-call rotation, as assigned

• Regularly maintains patient care documentation in accordance with standards

Patient Experience

• Fosters environment for patients and families to feel heard and understood, anticipates patient and family needs, and ensures needs are met.

• Collaborates with child life team and other professionals to provide activities, special visitors, events, and entertainment to patients and families hospital-wide

• Encourages and coordinates patients' and families' participation in activities and special events to support normalization and coping

• Supports and chaperones special visitors to assigned areas of hospital

• Assists child life team, assigned area of hospital, or department with intake and distribution of donations of toys and other comforting items

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare team in order to provide optimal care and advocate for developmentally-appropriate patient and family needs

• Uses formal and informal methods of communication to share assessments, interventions, and evaluations, as appropriate

• Maintains communication with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and engage in consultation regarding patient care

• Provides referrals to internal or community resources for patients and families as needed

Program Development

• Facilitates patient interaction for volunteers.

• Presents in-service trainings on role and impact of child life to departments or assigned areas, increasing understanding of importance of family-centered care.

• Adheres to budget set and outlined by Child Life Manager.

• Manages child life resources of assigned area of hospital and ensures consistent supply of resources.

• Attends and participates in opportunities that complement and enhance professional development.

Professional Development

• With Child Life Manager, establishes annual goals and independently works to meet those goals.

• Participates as member of assigned area or department committees as deemed appropriate.

• Develops and maintains professional skills and knowledge by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, etc.

• Maintains a willingness to learn and openness to new ideas and practices.