Child Life Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Child Life Specialist is responsible and accountable for planning and implementing therapeutic activities and programs to meet psychosocial and developmental needs and facilitates the adjustment of children and their families to health care experiences. Responsibilities include program development the assigned clinical area, management of fiscal and human resources and collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Position: Child Life Specialist

Department: Child Life

Schedule: 16 Hours (Days)

16 Hours a week - Day time hours (8 hour shifts)

This position will be for clinical coverage within the inpatient pediatric unit/pediatric intensive care unit. Coverage will also include consults in additional areas of the hospital as needed.

The Child Life Specialist ensures that comprehensive services are provided to minimize the negative impact of trauma illness and hospitalization by addressing the emotional cognitive and developmental needs of patients and families throughout their healthcare experience.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Seeking experienced Certified Child Life Specialist –pursuing an innovational role and approach to care.

• Assists patients and families in coping with illness and hospitalization.

• Comfort with diversity, an array of illnesses and diagnosis as well as cultures.

• Comfort with all developmental ages ranging infancy through young adult.

• Strong interpersonal skillset with the ability to be flexible and multitask throughout the duration of shifts.

• Ability to prioritize, take initiative, and be self-motivated.  

• Resourcefulness while providing developmentally appropriate preparation and education to patients and families regarding their healthcare experiences.

• Documents and maintains updated patient information pertaining to services provided.  

• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in an effort to support a family centered care approach to services.

• Provides individualized therapeutic interventions to assist with support of emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs.

• Normalizes environment to reduce impact of healthcare experiences on development and coping.

• Provides legacy and bereavement support for patients and families encountering grief as needed.

• Provides program development for the assigned clinical area.

• Maintains an appropriate, safe and supportive environment for children and families in the patient care setting.

• Participates in meetings included but not limited to; patient care rounding, unit(s) meetings and child life staff meeting.

• Works alongside manager and child life staff pertaining to donations, budget for resources and supply needs.

• Participates in volunteer and student training, support and supervision.

• Adheres to infection control policy set forth by institution.

• Preferred strong knowledge of hospital practices, procedures and medical terminology.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Baccalaureate degree in Child Life or closely related field. Experience preferred. Requires completion of a Child Life Internship (600 hours) under the direct supervision of a Child Life Specialist and is eligible and passes certification exam within 6 months of hire.

• Baccalaureate degree in child life or closely related field.

• Masters Preferred.

• Completion of a child life internship (600 hours) under the direct supervision of a child life specialist Required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Certification as a child life specialist within 6 months of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

Experience preferred.

Compensation Range:

$53,000.00- $77,000.00

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. 

NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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