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Sanford Health

Nonprofit health system operating hospitals

Child Life Specialist - Emergency Department

Medical, Clinical & VeterinaryConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeFargo, ND, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Human Development, or a related field is required.
  • Completion of a 600-hour Child Life internship is required.
  • Certification as a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is required or must be obtained within one year of hire.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

  • Help children and families cope with anxiety, fear, or stress related to medical visits, procedures, or diagnoses.
  • Use knowledge of child development, family systems theories, and the developmental effects of stress and trauma on children to establish appropriate interventions that alleviate distress.
  • Prepare children for exams and procedures using developmentally appropriate explanations.
  • Support families by explaining medical processes, offering guidance, and advocating for the child's emotional and developmental needs within the healthcare team.
  • Address the special needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions, using play activities in a healthcare environment.
  • Normalize the medical environment through familiar, child-friendly interactions and distraction techniques during procedures and medical visits.
  • Work closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare staff, communicating patient needs and coping plans to the care team.

Desired Qualifications

  • At least two years of experience working with various age groups of children is preferred.
  • Experience working with the pediatric population in a therapeutic setting is desired.

About the Company

Sanford Health

Nonprofit health system operating hospitals

Sanford Health is a large nonprofit health system that delivers hospital care, elder and post-acute services, and related health care through a network of hospitals, clinics, and senior care facilities across the Midwest. It operates by integrating multiple care settings into one system, supported by research and global health initiatives. Its model combines acute hospital care, long-term care, and post-acute services under a single organization, with a strong emphasis on philanthropy and mergers to expand reach and capabilities. The company differentiates itself through its breadth of services across the care continuum, extensive rural and regional presence, and a history of strategic mergers that create a full-spectrum care model rather than focusing on a single niche. Sanford Health’s goal is to provide comprehensive, accessible health care to communities, advance pediatric care and medical research, and extend health services through global clinics and partnerships.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
Grant
Total funding
$4.5M
Headquarters
Fargo, ND
Founded
1894

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