General Summary of Position
MedStar Health is looking for a Child Life Education Specialist to join our team!
As a Child Life Education Specialist, you will help assess children's developmental and coping needs and implements developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions such as play, medical play, psychological preparation, and rehearsed coping to minimize distress associated with hospitalization and other medical experiences.
Join one of the largest healthcare systems in the Baltimore-Washington metro region, also recognized as one of the "Healthiest Maryland Businesses". Apply today and learn how MedStar Health can be your next great career move!
Primary Duties:

• Plans and implements a variety of developmentally appropriate individual and group activities which promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery for hospitalized children, adolescents, and their families. Provides consultation to health care team during weekly psychosocial rounds regarding developmental status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment. Utilizes therapeutic play techniques. Provides family centered care by supporting family bonds and utilizing their strengths in developing individual treatment plans for children's care. Assesses and respects cultural diversity. Uses developmentally appropriate methods in preparing children and families for procedures and provides emotional support during identified stress points. Recognizes the importance of parental involvement/support for a patient during a procedure. Plans, implements, and evaluates goal-oriented plan of care and documents assessment information, goals, interventions, incident reports, statistics, and progress notes.
• Provides or coordinates programs which assure continuity in the child's normal life experience (school programs, pet therapy, personal and holiday celebrations). Maintains the playroom environment, toys, equipment, and supplies used in Child Life, Education, and Arts Program to ensure patient safety and to meet standards. Understands, respects, and utilizes the Association of Child Life Professional's Code of Ethics to establish and maintain professional and therapeutic relationships. Plans and implements educational programs and in-services on child development and the impact of illness, injury and hospitalization on children and families. Develops and implements community outreach programs. These functions are performed in collaboration with the Child Life, Education & Arts Coordinator and according to program needs. Performs personnel management functions for the designated area including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, coaching, counseling, evaluating, and terminating child life assistants and volunteers as delegated by the Child Life, Education & Arts Coordinator.
• Participates in research, marketing and program development activities as assigned by the Child Life, Education & Arts Coordinator. Participates as an active member of Bereavement and Child Life Committee. Participates in continuing educational opportunities, and reports back to the Child Life, Education and Arts team. Exemplifies Guest and Staff relations standards and holds department staff and volunteers accountable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Education, Psychology, Child Development, or related field.
• 2 years' experience as a child life specialist in an acute health care setting.
• Professionally certified child life specialist.
• Certification as a recreational therapist, art therapist, drama therapist or dance/movement specialist.
• Experience with children of all ages and developmental levels preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Minimum Qualifications
Why MedStar Health?
At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:

• Strong emphasis on teamwork - our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
• Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity - we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
• Comprehensive total rewards package - including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
• More career opportunities closer to home - as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.

About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It's how we treat people.
MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.