Child Life Specialist - Certified

About the role

This position will be able to meet all the core competencies set forth by the Child Life Council and use these competencies as a guide for his/her practice. This position assesses the emotional, developmental, educational and diversionary needs of hospitalized children and coordinates the therapeutic interventions to address the medical, procedural, surgical and diagnostic experiences of patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and executes an individualized therapeutic care plan for the developmental and psychosocial well-being of the child to promote healthy coping.
• Applies child life interventions (e.g. legacy building, needle play, medical play, diagnostic teaching, treatment compliance, death and bereavement) aimed towards mastery of medical experiences.
• Makes developmentally-appropriate preparations for medical experiences of patients and families to encourage the expression of feelings, healthy adaptation and coping mechanism development.
• May accompany child to procedure and surgery experiences to incorporate pre-planned coping strategies as well as diversionary and guided imagery techniques.
• Selects therapeutic activities, materials, and equipment that foster intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.
• Creates, oversees and facilitates playroom programming; identifies ways to enhance expressive opportunities and optimize peer relationships within established limits.
• Examines behaviors and modifies care plan in response to behavior, development, and limitations utilizing approved methods of discipline.
• Captures statistical data based upon required templates.
• Evaluates departmental activities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Maintains program expenditures within the budgetary limits.
• Maintains affiliation and networks with the Child Life professional organization and other related organizations.
• Participates in and provides in-service training throughout the institution relative to practice areas.
• Provides guidance and instruction to interns, volunteers and shadowing opportunities.
• Oversees and provides educational in-services for child life practicum students.
• Provides consultation to and collaborates with medical/patient care team.
• Provides in-services to hospital staff regarding Child Life principles and works with other departments to coordinate institutional events and clinical presentations.
• Coordinates the therapeutic plans with the healthcare team through communication and documentation.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Child Life, Psychology or related field.
• Child Life Certification through the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Child Life Development, Child Life, Psychology or related field.
• Prior professional child life experience in a hospital environment.

Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Child Life, Psychology or related field.
• Child Life Certification through the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Master’s degree in Child Life Development, Child Life, Psychology or related field.
• Prior professional child life experience in a hospital environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to implement therapeutic play activities for individuals and group.
• Ability to assess patient behavior.
• Knowledge and skills in basic computer programs such as Word and Excel.

Physical Requirements

Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighing 40+ lbs. Works closely with others. Works protracted or irregular hours. Works around biohazards. Works around infectious diseases. Works with or near the deceased. Works with hands in water. Works with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Job Description

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Exempt/Non-Exempt Shift: United States of America (Exempt)
Company: WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals
Cost Center: 4405
WVUH CH Pediatrics
Performance Excellence Address: 1 Medical Center Drive Morgantown West Virginia
Equal Opportunity Employer: West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.