Child Life Specialist

Position Duties

• Plans, implements, and evaluates individual patient goals, based upon assessment findings.
• Provides teaching and psychological preparation for potentially stressful experiences with infants, children, adolescents, and families.
• Actively participates in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the treatment team.
• Documents patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the medical record.
• Provides a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for infants, children, adolescents, and families.
• Participates in the training, supervision, and evaluation of Child Life Assistants, Child Life student interns, and volunteers.
• Escorts and facilitates social/positive interactions between patients and special visitors, guests, or entertainers.
• Represents and communicates family-centered philosophy on departmental and hospital-wide committees.
• Participates in continuing education programs and remains abreast of advances in Child Life and programs for hospitalized children.
• Provides interdisciplinary in-service education on growth and development, Child Life, and the impact of illness, injury, and healthcare on patients and their families.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as requested.

Position Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation or related field. Master’s degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation or related field preferred.
• Experience: Completion of a minimum 480-hour professional Child Life Internship, under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Experience working with children in a child care capacity, to include private employment, or in volunteer roles as determined by the hiring manager. Professional Child Life experience in a hospital environment preferred.
• Special Skills: Bilingual English-Spanish skills preferred.
• Additional Requirements: BLS certification through the American Heart Association or obtain within 30 days of hire. Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential from the Child Life Certifying Commission (CLCC) required, obtained within 18 months of hire and maintained thereafter. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential from the National Council Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) preferred.