What are the responsibilities and job description for the CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST position at County of Los Angeles?
EXAM NUMBER:
Y5879A
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY
ABOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its integrated system of 25 health centers, four acute hospitals and expanded network of community partner clinics – DHS annually provides direct care for 600,000 unique patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $6.9 billion. For additional information regarding DHS please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov
DEFINITION:
Prepares patients, their siblings, and families for inpatient and outpatient medical procedures such as I.V. starts, MRI's, CT scans, lumbar punctures, pelvic examinations, casts, and sutures to reduce potential stress and anxiety.
Accompanies pediatric patients and families to medical procedures, applying educational and diversional coping techniques.
Provides grief and loss support to patients and families
Provides emotional support, information and role modeling to patients and family members during identified stress points
Develops, implements, and evaluates individual child life care plans in conjunction with other medical team members which include psychological preparation and assessment of coping skills and available social supports.
Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of medical/developmental play activities and interactions to address patients' concerns, stressors, and vulnerability potential related to illness, injury and health care.
Provides a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and families through ongoing assessment of patient care areas and developmentally appropriate materials such as books, educational materials, crafts, and games.
Coordinates patient interactions and activities with available volunteers, students and interns.
Provides training for volunteers, students, interns, and medical staff regarding developmentally appropriate interactions with patients and families.
Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
Documents assessments and implementation of Child Life care plan in the patient's interdisciplinary chart.
Participates in continuing education programs and remains abreast of advances in child life/development and the impact of illness, injury and health care on patients and families.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from an accredited college/university with a Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Growth/Development* or a closely related field** - AND - One (1) year of paid or unpaid experience totaling a minimum of 1,000 hours working with pediatric patients in a medical setting***.
LICENSE:
A valid and current professional certification or proof of eligibility for professional certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Certifying Commission****.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Additional points will be awarded for experience in excess of the Minimum Requirements.
PHYSICAL CLASS II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*In order to receive the credit for possessing the Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Growth/Development or closely related field** applicants must attach a valid legible copy of their degree or official transcripts to their application at the time of filing or email the required documents to the exam analyst at mrivas2@dhs.lacounty.gov within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing the online application. When emailing documents, please include the exam number and exam title. Applications without the required degree will be considered incomplete, and subject to disqualification.
** Closely related field in Bachelor degree that will be accepted:- Psychology
- Early Child education Intervention/Education
- Social Work
**** A valid and current professional certification or proof of eligibility for professional certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Certifying Commission must be attached to your application or emailed to the exam analyst within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing your application online. When emailing documents, please include the exam number and exam title. Applications without the required certification will be considered incomplete, and subject to disqualification.
The original documents must be presented during the selection process and prior to appointment.
EXAMINATION CONTENT:
This examination will consist of an evaluation of education, experience, and desirable qualifications based upon your application information, weighted 100%
Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be placed on the eligible register.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
Applications will be processed on an "as-received" basis and those receiving a passing score will be promulgated to the eligible register accordingly.
The names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.
No person may compete in this examination more than once every twelve (12) months.
VACANCY INFORMATION:
The eligible register for this examination will be used to fill vacancies throughout the Department of Health Services as they occur.
SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX OR IN PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, regency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
NO SHARING USER ID AND PASSWORD:
All applicants must file their applications online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.
ADA COORDINATOR:
(323) 914-6365
CALIFORNIA RELAY SERVICES PHONE:
(800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone:
(800) 899-4099
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Michelle Rivas, Exam Analyst
HR ESC telephone: (213) 288-7000
mrivas2@dhs.lacounty.gov
Salary : $74,935 - $100,974