Child Life Specialist NES

Summary:
The Child Life Specialist reports to the Child Life Manager with a dotted line to department manager for day-to-day operations. Functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team in meeting the developmental psychosocial and intellectual needs of pediatric patients and their families. Implements a therapeutic medical preparation program and supervises organizes and directs age appropriate therapeutic play experiences in order to help alleviate anxiety and provide a sense of normalcy. Orients trains and supervises students and volunteers assigned to the unit/department.

Responsibilities:

As a member of a multidisciplinary team assesses developmental psychosocial and intellectual needs of pediatric patients to plan organize and direct a therapeutic program that will help to alleviate some of the stress associated with illness and hospitalization as well as to promote the child�s social emotional and intellectual growth.

Assessment:

Identifies obtains and uses relevant data (e.g. healthcare family child) regarding the child and family to develop a comprehensive assessment and initiate a plan of care. Identifies developmental factors and their implications regarding the child�s healthcare experience in order to plan appropriate interventions. Identifies psychosocial factors (e.g. diversity culture spirituality family dynamics and structure coping styles socioeconomic status) and family-identified needs and goals in order to provide family-centered care.

Intervention:

Provides psychosocially and developmentally appropriate support that is responsive to the specific needs of children and families.

Empowers and collaborates with children and families to develop and use advocacy skills.

Provides educational opportunities and resources that are responsive to the needs of children and families in order to promote learning mastery.

Facilitates preparation (e.g. psychological educational) for challenging situations with children and families in order to minimize fear and anxiety to promote the mastery of their experience.

Facilitates the development for coping strategies for children and families (e.g. pain management Positioning for Comfort � distraction alternative focus guided imagery child participation) in order to minimize distress and promote empowerment.

Facilitates Play (e.g. recreational healthcare therapeutic) and familiar life experiences in order to encourage expression process information and promote development and normalization.

Evaluates and documents assessments goals interventions outcomes and significant events in order to communication and modify care plans as necessary.

Professional Responsibility:

Promotes professional relationships (e.g. child life team inter-disciplinary teams community resources) in order to enhance communication and collaboration foster family-centered care and maximize positive outcomes.

Educates staff students volunteers and the community in order to promote greater awareness of the needs of children and families as well as the child life profession.

Recognizes and documents administrative responsibilities (e.g. quality improvement staffing and resource allocation policies and program evaluation) in order to ensure quality services.

Engages in continuing education (e.g. educational opportunities relevant medical information technology research & literature) in order to promote professional development.

Other information:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor�s Degree in Child Life Early Childhood Education Child Development Psychology or related fields. Master�s degree preferred.

Child Life Professional Certification (or completion within one year of hire).

EXPERIENCE:

Completion of Child Life Professional internship with one year experience working with children required. Professional child life experience in health care setting strongly preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Orients trains and supervises students and volunteers assigned to the unit.

Lifespan is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status.   Lifespan is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital USA:RI:Providence

Work Type: Per Diem

Shift: Shift 1

Union: Non-Union