Certified Child Life Specialist - per diem - Full-time / Part-time

Under general supervision, the Child Life Specialist contributes to a positive hospital experience by providing psychosocial support for pediatric patients and their families to promote optimal cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of the patient and family during a hospital visit. Assesses the needs of patients and their families taking into consideration each patient's family, culture, and stage of development. Provide patients and their families with a variety of developmental, therapeutic, educational, and play opportunities in order to minimize stress and anxiety, and to provide support to patient/family during hospitalization or challenging events. Reports to Manager of Child & Family Support Services. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES ASSESSMENT & PLANNING: Assess the coping responses and needs of assigned patients/families to their healthcare experience; plan and coordinate appropriate developmental, therapeutic and educational opportunities for the patient and family during the hospital stay, taking into consideration the individuality of each child's family, culture and stage of development; develop and implement activities, resources and programs to meet patient/family needs. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS: Minimize stress and anxiety for patient by providing developmentally appropriate opportunities (in activity rooms and at bedside) that encourage expression of feelings and promote a sense of mastery and understanding of health care experiences. Maintain appropriate supply of therapeutic materials. Prepare children and families for and provide support during tests, surgeries or other medical procedures through education, tours, rehearsal and coping skills development. Promote and support parental role. ESSENTIAL LIFE EXPERIENCES: Provide essential life experiences for children to foster continued growth and development during their hospital stay; organize play activities, materials and other experiences at bedside and/or in activity rooms; coordinate special events in recognition of significant and familiar experiences (e.g. birthdays, holidays, and other family observances); participate in development and implementation of activities with individuals/community groups involved in interacting with children and their families. HEALTH CARE TEAM: Effectively communicate observations, assessments and recommendations for care to other members of healthcare team (through verbal and written channels); accurately documents care and services provided following established policies and procedures. Advocate for patient and family needs; and activate appropriate services/referrals. Assists in the maintenance of a safe and therapeutic patient care environment. As assigned, participates in quality improvement activities. Actively participates on inter-disciplinary teams and committees. EDUCATION/COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY: Develop and maintain own knowledge and understanding of the medical conditions and healthcare experiences of specific patient populations. Develop resources and provide education for medical center staff; may develop and provide education and resources for community providers regarding developmental needs of children. Orient, supervise and provide input into the evaluation of Child Life students, interns and hospital volunteers. Participate in continual professional development. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT: Provide age-appropriate emotional support and education, in collaboration with the health care team, for parents and families surrounding issues of end-of-life care, grief and loss; facilitate memory-making activities relative to family's cultural and traditional practices. SIBLING SUPPORT: Assess the support needs of siblings, both indirectly, through parent report, and directly, through observation and therapeutic interactions. Provide teaching and support regarding surgery and/or procedures, orientation to the hospital environment (i.e. visits to the PICU, NICU), bereavement support and ongoing assessment / support for siblings of chronic and critically ill patients. Offer support/education to parents and other caregivers regarding both normal behaviors of siblings and those that might indicate a need for further interventions. Offer age appropriate opportunities for siblings to participate in certain aspects of the hospitalization, such as decorating the patient's room, or working on a special project with their hospitalized sibling. Demonstrates knowledge of the age-related differences and needs of patients in appropriate, specific populations from neonate through adolescence and applies them to practice. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families. Demonstrates support for the mission, values and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the CCMC STANDARDS. Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or directly related field in behavioral sciences or human development required. Minimum of 480 hours of child life internship, fellowship or paid clinical child life work experience. Master's degree preferred. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled