Child Life Assistant

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The responsibilities of a Child Life Assistant position are implementing activities that support and promote normal growth and development, training and supervision of volunteers, and creating and maintaining community ties that enhance program delivery. This role provides a safe environment in play areas and when working at the patient bedside. This role also serves as a liaison between Children’s Hospital and community organizations. Service hours/care delivery may include weekend and evening work hours.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Associate Degree in healthcare, family studies, education, child development or related field and one (1) year of work in a Children’s Hospital or work experience with children or families OR High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of work in a Children’s Hospital or work experience with children or families.
2.  Obtain Basic Life Support Certification within 30 days of hire.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Child Development or related Field.

EXPERIENCE:

1. 5 years experience in a Children’s Hospital or work experience with children and families.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Assesses and promotes normal developmental abilities of children.
2. Provides a variety of developmentally supportive play opportunities for patient and siblings including structured and planned activities, in activity spaces and at the bedside.
3. Understands and practices family-centered care in all aspects of work responsibilities.
4. Organizes, plans, and promotes group play in the playrooms, with attention to the specific needs of the participating children.
5. Communicates observations regarding children’s behaviors and emotional state to other child life staff and appropriate team members.
6. Models healthy relationships with children for families and staff, and encourages positive parent/child interactions.
7. Assist in planning, organizing, and facilitating special events, ensuring that the visit is appropriate for patients, families, and staff in collaboration with child life colleagues and other care providers.
8. Documents the patient plan of care in the electronic medical record and complies with child life services charting standards.
9. Organizes and maintains toys, supplies, electronic devices, and playroom.  Identifies needed and replacement materials.
10. Develops/maintains process so these items are available during off shifts.
11. Prepares and maintains a safe, inviting and developmentally responsive playroom environment that engages a variety of ages, interests, and abilities.
12. Regularly inspects toys, materials and play area for safety, infection control and appropriateness for the population; maintains knowledge of toy recalls and removed identified toys and materials.
13. Adheres to and enacts the toy cleaning policy and procedures.
14. Tracks play materials inventory.
15. Builds positive relationships with children and families while being conscious of therapeutic and professional boundaries.
16. Represents child life services by participating in special projects, task forces, and committees as designated to enhance service delivery to patients and families.
17. Collaborates effectively with other child life staff and actively supports the evolution and advancement of the department.
18. Articulates the importance and benefits of normal developmental opportunities for patients and siblings to families and staff; advocates for patient involvement in these activities and interactions.
19. Collaborates with Volunteer Services to develop a systematic training program for volunteers and provides orientation and oversight for volunteers.
20. Serves as a community liaison and main contact person for donations and special interest groups (i.e., professional and college sports

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1.    Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, materials and equipment weighing 40+ lbs. 
2.    Works closely with others. 
3.    Works around infectious diseases. 
4.    Works with or near the deceased. 
 

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.

1.    Office and hospital setting. 
2.     Occasional travel required. 

SKILLS & ABILILTIES:
1.    Must be able to implement play activities for individuals and group. 
2.    Must be able to assess patient behavior. 
3.    Must possess knowledge of infant, child, adolescent growth and development. 
4.    Must possess strong organizational skills, energetic, creative, and enjoy working with children. 
5.    Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
6.    Knowledge and skills in Microsoft programs. 
 

Additional Job Description:

The Child Life Assistant will serve a dual role by providing support to the Child Life program and functioning as the primary handler for the facility dog. In addition to assisting with patient- and family-centered activities, the position holder will be responsible for the daily care, handling, and integration of the facility dog into therapeutic and supportive services. This includes maintaining the dog’s health and training standards, facilitating animal-assisted interventions, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to incorporate the dog into care plans and programming. The individual in this role ensures both the effectiveness of Child Life services and the successful implementation of the facility dog program, while adhering to organizational policies, infection control standards, and safety requirements.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company:

WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

Cost Center:

854 WVUH Foundation CMN Telethon

Address:

1 Medical Center DriveMorgantownWest 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.