JOB SUMMARY

Certified Child Life Specialists provide comprehensive therapeutic patient care for infants, pediatric and adolescent patients to ensure positive patient outcomes. Plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates child life services based on an understanding of normal human development and the impact that illness, injury, disability and hospitalization have on this process.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field with completed 480 hour Child Life internship in a hospital setting. 

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION

Certification credentials from the Association of Child Life Professionals required within 6 months of hire for new graduates. Current certification required for other individuals.

CPR certification required.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent oral and written communication and composition skills
• Ability to communicate and present on a professional level with health care providers and the public
• Ability to communicate with pediatric patients and significant others appropriate to their level of comprehension
• Knowledge of clinical skills and understanding of the patient throughout childhood
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment that changes requiring flexibility and resilience in difficult situations
• Good organization and time management skills 
• Ability to lift and support 51 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment and supplies 
• Work requires walking, standing, silting, lifting, stooping, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Adheres to the general hospital standards to promote a cooperative work environment by utilizing communication skills, interpersonal relationships and team building.
2. Provides patient care assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation.
3. Directs patient and family interactions that reduce distress, increase adaptive coping and protect and enhance developmental integrity.
4. Educates the patient, family, and other health care providers to assure continuity of the patient care plan.
5. Supervises child life students and volunteers to ensure the delivery of quality patient care.
6. Maintains accurate documentation.
7. Participates in quality improvement initiatives as needed.
8. Adheres to federal, state, hospital and professional regulations and Code of Ethics.
9. Promotes professional development and education.
10. Provides appropriate patient care in accordance with age/developmental guidelines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Clean, well-lit comfortable climate
• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances
• Subject to many interruptions and stressful conditions
• Handles emergency or crisis situations and may perform emergency care
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
• Subject to temperature changes
• Moderate noise environment
• Subject to potential hazards for electrical/mechanical equipment
• Exposure to infections/contagious diseases
• Exposure to housekeeping/cleaning agents/chemicals
• Subject to burns and cuts
• Subject to injury from moving parts of equipment
• Exposure to unpleasant patient or unit elements
• Subject to irregular hours
• Travel required
• Required personal protective equipment: eye protection, face protection, gown, mask, sterile and nonsterile gloves, shoe covers