Child Life Specialist

About the role

We are searching for a Child Life Specialist – someone who works well in a fast-paced setting. In this position, you’ll implement and provide a comprehensive program of Child Life Services that help meet the emotional, developmental, and social needs of children in a health care setting. You’ll provide opportunities for children to gain a sense of mastery, offering play and learning experiences, and encouraging family and peer interaction.

Responsibilities

• Provides child life assessments and normalizes the hospital environment for patients and families
• Conducts formal and informal developmental assessments of psychosocial needs of patients and families within 24 hours of referral
• Promotes and provides developmentally appropriate interventions for patients and families
• Prepares patients and families for procedure/treatment(s) using developmentally appropriate explanations
• Represents and communicates child life and psychosocial issues of pediatric health care to professionals outside of child life
• Participates in professional development of self and other child life professionals
• Collaborates in an intradepartmental effort to support the mission and vision of the Child Life Department

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (preferably in Child Life, Psychology, Human Development, Social Work, Music Therapy or Art Therapy)
• CCLS – Certified Child Life Specialist from the Association of Child Life Professionals, acquired within 12 months of entering the role
• 2 years of full time clinical experience as a Child Life Specialist preferred