Child Life Specialist - Part-time Days

POSITION SUMMARY :

The position provides services to children and families of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center to include consultation, education, performance improvement, policy and program planning, advocacy and environmental planning. Responsible for carrying out a comprehensive therapeutic program based on normal human development and the impact that illness, injury, disability, and hospitalization have on this process. This process is aimed at meeting the emotional, social and developmental needs of pediatric patients. The incumbent conducts evaluations, records evaluations in patients' medical records and consults with physicians and staff. Follows service excellence standards to ensure high levels of patient satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :

Clinical Practice:

Conducts therapeutic counseling sessions/play therapy sessions and groups to meet patients' emotional and development needs in accordance with medical orders. Records evaluations in patients' medical records. Maintains outpatient care load as appropriate. Selects, trains, assigns duties, and supervises volunteers to effectively interact with hospitalized children. Assists in the selection, education, training, supervision, and evaluation of full-time undergraduate and graduate student interns. Screens, interviews, and recommends for hiring Child- Life Fellow(s). Reduces distress, increases adaptive coping and protects and enhances developmental integrity by offering opportunities for play and learning and interacting with others in an emotionally and physically safe environment. Encourages normal growth and development through developmental play activities and assesses development. Assesses psychosocial needs of patients and family members as requested. Provides bereavement/grief social support as requested. Supports family bonds and utilizes family strengths in the care of the child. Provides support during painful procedures for coping relief distraction. May use massage therapy as an intervention upon completion of training with eligibility for National Certification

Quality/Performance Improvement:

Assists department management with the development of objectives for the Department. Submits periodic evaluations of program effectiveness to the supervisor, provides budgetary information to the supervisor, and assists with studies to document workload as requested. Participates in the cost analysis of toys and play equipment and in determining specifications and quality standards for patient supplies, equipment and gifts to be purchased and distributed via the funding resources. May include writing grants to obtain patient supplies, equipment and gifts.

Programs:

Provides or cooperates with programs which assure continuity in the child's normal life experiences, e.g. , school programs, personal and holiday celebrations.

Education and Training:

Provides educational and recreational activities to assist hospitalized children and their families to adjust to stress, to understand the physical condition, and to minimize the child's psychological trauma by providing positive hospital experiences. Educates and orients student groups, staff, and other professionals to Child Life. Pursues opportunities for professional growth in both teaching and learning roles. Provides orientation to health care experiences and personnel.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITIES

Requires presentations on therapeutic topics to in-house groups and community agencies. Requires strong written and interpersonal skills. Requires the ability to make independent judgments; recommendations and implementing recommendations on therapeutic interventions which may include counseling for inpatient and outpatient cases.

EDUCATION, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES :

Required: Current certification or eligibility for certification as a Child Life Specialist. BLS Certification; Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development; Therapeutic Recreation; Social Work or related fields.

Preferred: Prior experience in Child Life; Psychology; Child Development or a related field. Prior experience working with hospitalized children or children in another setting; as well as counseling experience with individuals and groups