Child Life Specialist, Pediatrics

Overview

Facilitates a variety of group and individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping skills for Pediatric residents. Facilitates positive relationships with family members, using knowledge and resources to accommodate each family’s unique cultural needs and values. Responsible for all required documentation, including MDS and CCP.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates history, interests, preferences, and skills of residents to assess, plan, and prioritize appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions, utilizing information from team members, resident, family, and medical records.
• Demonstrates, explains, and provides stress reduction and adaptive coping techniques in consideration of developmental, emotional, situational, and behavioral factors.
• Facilitates developmentally-appropriate daily group and individual recreational activities and therapeutic groups (adaptive art, sensory stimulation, games). 
• Collaborates with other Pediatric staff to plan and execute outings or community inclusion (libraries, museums, cultural events, etc.), and special events (parties, celebrations, etc.) that provide opportunities for psychosocial enrichment and overall developmental enhancement. 
• Provides education and support to families regarding the resident’s and/or siblings' developmental needs and responses to illness/injury/hospitalization.
• Works closely with the interdisciplinary team to foster a therapeutic environment and participates in resident’s treatment planning, morning rounds, weekly case conferences, and staff meetings.
• Assist in development and management of volunteer and student training programs.
• Selects a safe, developmentally appropriate supply of toys and equipment to address the needs and goals of the assigned area and population. Assists departmental staff members in the effective purchase, storage, maintenance, and sanitization of materials utilized in programming. 
• Promotes a clean, safe, and functional space for use by children and families. Identifies environmental safety hazards and corresponding preventive/protective measures.
• Maintain clinical notes in medical records in a timely fashion, keep daily statistics, assist with preparation of monthly calendar of activities/events. Completes progress notes to document the types of activities in which the resident participates, patterns of attendance, interpersonal behavior, response to modalities, and progress towards goals.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures relevant to performing job duties.
• Performs other tasks as requested.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Child Life or related field, required.

Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years recent experience at a working with children or adolescents in a hospital or education setting.
• Must be able to produce required medical/clinical documentation, including MDS and CCP
• Training in working with special needs and pediatric populations

Knowledge and Skills:

• Be a strong independent worker, as well as a dedicated team player
• Ability to fully utilize KJMC's electronic record systems, equipment and other healthcare and billing systems relevant to this position.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Must be a Certified Child Life Specialist.

Physical Requirements:

• Position requires prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day. 
• Position will be required to stoop, bend, lift, and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center (KJMC).

KJMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.