Child Life Specialist
Brown University Health · Providence, RI · 1 mo ago
OTHR$48k–$79k/yrFull-time
Summary
Our Certified Child Life Specialists embrace a collaborative multidisciplinary approach in meeting the developmental psychosocial and intellectual needs of pediatric patients and their families. We implement therapeutic medical preparation, supervise, organize, and direct age-appropriate therapeutic play experiences to help alleviate anxiety, and provide a sense of normalcy while providing developmentally appropriate medical teaching to help patients better understand their medical experience. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, assess the developmental, psychosocial, and intellectual needs of pediatric patients to plan, organize, and direct a therapeutic program that will help to reduce stress, anxiety, and fear associated with illness and hospitalization. Create a healing environment while promoting social emotional and intellectual growth and wellbeing.Responsibilities
- Assessment
- Identify, obtain, and use relevant data (healthcare, family, child) regarding the child and family to develop a comprehensive assessment and initiate a plan of care.
- Identify developmental factors and their implications regarding the child's healthcare experience to plan appropriate interventions.
- Identify psychosocial factors (such as diversity, culture, spirituality, family dynamics and structure, coping styles, and socioeconomic status) and family-identified needs and goals to provide family-centered care.
- Intervention
- Provide psychosocially and developmentally appropriate support that is responsive to the specific needs of children and families.
- Empower and collaborate with children and families to develop and use advocacy skills.
- Provide educational opportunities and resources that are responsive to the needs of children and families to promote learning mastery.
- Facilitate preparation (psychological and educational) for challenging situations with children and families to minimize fear and anxiety to promote proficiency in their experience.
- Facilitate the development of coping strategies for children and families (pain management, positioning for comfort, distraction, alternative focus, guided imagery, and child participation) to minimize distress and promote empowerment.
- Facilitate play (recreational, healthcare, therapeutic) and familiar life experiences to encourage expression, process information, and promote development and normalization.
- Evaluate and document assessment goals, interventions, outcomes, and significant events to communicate and modify care plans as necessary.
- Function as a member of the healthcare team and promote professional relationships (child life team, inter-disciplinary teams, community resources) to enhance communication and collaboration, foster family-centered care, and maximize positive outcomes.
- Educate staff, students, volunteers, and the community to promote greater awareness of the needs of children and families as well as the child life profession.
- Recognize and document administrative responsibilities (quality improvement, staffing, resource allocation, policies, and program evaluation) to ensure quality services.
- Engage in continuing education (educational opportunities, relevant medical information, technology, research, & literature) to promote professional development.
- Orient, train, and supervise students and volunteers assigned to the unit.
- BASIC KNOWLEDGE
- Association of Child Life Professionals verified Internship hours (minimum 600 hours).
- Bachelor's degree in child life, child development, or closely related field required. Master's degree preferred.
- Certified Child Life Specialist by the Association of Child Life Professionals (or completion within one year of hire).
- EXPERIENCE
- Completion of Child Life Professional internship with one year experience working with children required. Professional child life experience in health care setting strongly preferred.
- INDEPENDENT ACTION
- Performs independently within the department's policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to the supervisor when clarification of the departmental policies and procedures are required.
- SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
- Orients, trains, and supervises students and volunteers assigned to the unit.
Other duties as assigned.