Child Life Specialist

Department: RSRCH-GRNT | Child Life Prog Grants • Location: Glendale • Shift: Mon-Fri, 8:30 am–4:00 pm • Employee Type: Full-Time

About the role

This position plans and provides therapeutic intervention and appropriate psychosocial developmental care with pediatric patients and their families. It assists them in coping with the stress and anxiety of health care experiences and maximizes the growth and development of infants, children, and adolescent patients.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field. Required
• Master’s degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field. Preferred
• Completion of a minimum 480-hour professional Child Life Internship under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Required
• Experience working with children in a child-care capacity, including private employment or volunteer roles. Required
• Professional Child Life experience in a hospital environment. Preferred
• Bilingual English-Spanish skills. Preferred
• BLS certification through the American Heart Association or obtain within 30 days of hire. Required
• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential from the Child Life Certifying Commission (CLCC), or obtain within 18 months of hire and maintain thereafter. Required
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Preferred

Physical Requirements & Occupational Exposure

• Climbing – Occasionally
• Feeling (sensing textures and temperatures) – Occasionally
• Fine Motor Skills (pinching, gripping, etc.) – Constantly
• Hearing – Constantly
• Pushing/pulling – Occasionally
• Reaching – Constantly
• Sitting – Frequently
• Standing – Frequently
• Stooping/crouching/kneeling/crawling – Frequently
• Talking – Constantly
• Tasting/smelling – Occasionally
• Walking – Constantly
• Near Vision – Constantly
• Far Vision – Constantly
• Color Discrimination – Occasionally
• Use of keyboard, mouse, and/or computer equipment – Constantly
• Lift up to 35 pounds without assistance – Frequently
• Lift more than 35 pounds without assistance – Occasionally

• Airborne communicable diseases – Applicable
• Bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluid – Applicable
• Hazardous materials exposure – Applicable
• Radiation exposure – Applicable
• Toxic or caustic chemicals – Applicable