Child Life Specialist - Emergency Department

Child Life Specialist

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of whats possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in peoples lives.

Wellstar Cobb Hospital has an exciting opportunity for a Child Life Specialist.

This position is located and will support the Pediatric Emergency Department of Cobb Hospital. This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

Job Summary:

The Child Life Specialist provides optimal developmental and psycho-socially appropriate care for pediatric patients & families. The Child Life Specialist Position reports directly to the Supervisor, Child Life Department. The Child Life Specialist is responsible for providing optimal developmental, psychosocial, and therapeutic support of pediatric patients & families to minimize stress and foster healthy coping. The Child Life Specialist has the knowledge and ability to assess childrens emotional, psychosocial, educational, and recreational needs. Provides patient and family education, procedural preparation and support, psychosocially supportive interventions and play activities supported by evidence-based methods and theory. As an advocate for Family-Centered Care and Emotional Safety for children the CLS collaborates with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to enhance quality of care and acts as an advocate and resource regarding issues such as child development and childrens response to hospitalization. Supervises and evaluates the work of volunteers and Child Life students as needed. The Child Life Specialist will independently perform job functions and multi-task to meet the needs of the patient and family.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

- Patient Care

a. Delivers Child Life services at a competent level, according to the Association of Child Life Professionals guidelines for Child Life Competencies and Standards of Clinical Practice.

b. Ability to assess the developmental, psychosocial, and emotional needs of infants, children, adolescents, and families.

c. Using both formal and informal Child Development theories and techniques provides opportunities for play and normalization for infants, children, youth, and families.

d. Establishes safe and engaging environments within the healthcare setting to promote socialization, cross-cultural connections, and exploration by pediatric patients and families.

e. Utilize psychosocial assessment in collaboration with patient, family, and multidisciplinary team to establish a plan of care.

f. Implements assessment-based interventions, evaluates outcomes, and uses ongoing assessment to guide plan of care.

g. Provides developmentally appropriate psychological preparation to children and families undergoing procedures, tests, and surgery.

h. Accompany patients and families, as needed, during procedures and tests to facilitate adaptive coping.

i. Ability to utilize evidence-based comfort measures and distraction techniques to reduce negative outcomes for children and families.

j. Educate families regarding childrens responses to healthcare environments and stressors. Maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and families. k. Responds to Child Life Consults via EMR.

- Communication

a. Utilize developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe communication styles and tactics with patients and families.

b. Document child life encounters in EMR concisely and accurately including professional patient and family assessments, interventions, and responses to child life interactions in a timely manner.

c. Make referrals to other ancillary and supportive departments as appropriate. d. Displays a positive attitude and support Wellstars mission, vision, and values e. Understands and demonstrates AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank-you).

f. Understands and follows existing line of communication and authority, handles communications properly.

- Team Approach

a. Acts as an advocate for patient and families in the healthcare setting through the philosophy of Family Centered Care.

b. Collaborates as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Communicates child life assessments/interventions, and the developmental and psychosocial needs of children and their families.

c. Actively participates in Child Life and unit specific staff meetings.

d. Provides educational in-services and training to Wellstar team members, physicians, and leaders on the Child Life profession, developmental responses to healthcare experiences, coping and supportive interventions with children and families to minimize or eliminate psychological harm.

e. Supervises child life students and volunteers as assigned by leader.

- Operational

a. Collect and input necessary patient encounters and child life specific data points daily, monthly or requested by leader.

b. Implements infection control and safety policies and procedures, including the Cleaning of Toys and Shared Play Equipment and spaces.

c. Assists in the intake, inventory, organization and provision of donations and department resources. Assists with community group events specific to the pediatric population.

Required Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, or related field
• Master's Degree is preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s): All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Certified Child Life Specialist within 180 Days or
• Basic Life Support

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

• Child Life Professional Certification. (Upon Hire Preferred)
• CCLS must be obtained within 6 months of hire and maintained thereafter.

Required Minimum Experience:

• Completion of a 600-hour Child Life Professional Internship
• Minimum 2 years experience working as a Child Life Specialist is preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

• Demonstrated competency of the pediatric population base including development and wellness.
• Ability to use good judgement and critical thinking to respond quickly and professionally under stressful, emergent situations.
• Exemplifies superior level of customer service.
• Pleasant telephone voice, excellent listening and communication skills (written, verbal, technical.)
• Must be able to manage time appropriately and work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrates knowledge of and practices within parameters outlined by the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful workand enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.