Certified Child Life Specialist

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Location- Sylvester Cancer Center, Miami

The University of Miami is currently seeking a Child Life Specialist to work at Sylvester Cancer Center in Miami. The incumbent is a member of the University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Team who will focus on the emotional social, and developmental needs of children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders, The Child Life Specialist will support and nurture children and their families through the emotional and physical aspects of chronic illness. The Child Life Specialists will work as the advocate and support staff of the children and their families. Educating and informing the families as to what is going on, and provide emotional support to the children as they go through tests and treatments working with the children on their specific needs and stay with them throughout the entire process. The Child Life Specialist will provide as normal of an environment as possible by providing interaction, play and relaxation. Providing opportunities for the children to play, thrive, and grow in an abnormal and sometimes difficult environment. The Child Life specialists will work to support children through difficult medical circumstances and strive to provide some sense of normalcy. They are an extension of the medical staff and keep apprised of the condition and treatment regimen for the child, so they can keep the family informed and prepared. The Child Life Specialist will have excellent supervisory, research, and communication skills. Understanding family dynamics and will be in tune with the child's or adolescent's concerns. Observing and understanding child development is important for creating educational play.

Core Job Functions

1. Displays competence in all Child Life Specialist responsibilities, including a broad-based developmental expertise, various clinical intervention techniques and interdisciplinary planning for comprehensive pediatric patient care.
2 Advocates for the needs of children and families in the health care system and establish programs which enhance their care.
3 Keeps informed of current professional literature and research, shares information with other staff members and participates in associations whose concerns are related to the activities of the Child Life Program,
4. Interprets the role of the Child Life Specialist, normal growth and developmental issues, and the needs of chronically ill children to health care team members, various students in pediatrics and interested community groups or individuals,
5. Collaborates with Hospital Volunteer Department in special projects assigned to the Child Life Program.
6. Develops and implements programs and materials for patients, staff and community outreach education as necessary.
7. Promotes public and hospital awareness of the needs of children in health care settings.
8 Develops and maintains Child Life policies and procedures in collaboration with Director of Pediatrics, which are consistent with hospital policy and program goals and interprets the program and its needs with the hospital.
9. Responsible for the selection, storage, use, maintenance and safety of all play and recreational materials and equipment used in by Child Life in pediatric areas.
10. Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to exchange information regarding children and families.
11. Initiates and/or coordinates activities related to holidays, special occasions, special visitors, community groups or entertainment programs.
12. Establishes and maintains contact with community groups or individuals that offer culturally enriching experiences or financial support.
13. Assists in preparation and dissemination of public relations information concerning the Child Life philosophy or activities.
14. Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of play and activity forms for children and teens (ages birth to 21 years) which promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery.
15. Interprets the child's perception of his diagnosis and/or treatment as revealed through play and other means of communication (both verbal and non-verbal) and offers counsel specific to the impact of the health care experience.
16. Provides emotional support during identified stress points and utilizes stress reduction techniques to facilitate adaptive coping of the child and family.
17. Utilizes developmentally appropriate methods to prepare pediatric patients and families for hospitalization, surgery, and diagnostic or treatment procedures.
18. Provides orientation to the child and family regarding health care experiences and personnel.
19. Exchanges significant information with members of the health care team and provides consultation regarding the developmental status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment.
20. Utilizes therapeutic play techniques (including medical play) as a diagnostic and treatment tool.
21. Provides or cooperates with programs which assure continuity in the child's normal life experiences, such as school programs, personal and holiday celebrations.
22. Provides information and resources (to parents and staff) regarding child development and child-family relationships (i.e. developmental stages and parenting issues) as needed,
23. Supports family bonds, utilizes family strengths in the care of the child, and provides support and counseling to family members with respect to their own stress and needs.
24. Participates in continuing quality improvement to ensure continuous improvement of services provided.
25. Attends appropriate orientation and training courses to maintain competency in job skills and knowledge. Participates in required educational programs, such as safety, infection control, or CPR.
26. Follows organization-wide and unit specific safety, security, and infection control standards.
27. Respects the rights, privacy and property of others at all times including the confidentiality of information according to Administrative Policies and all applicable laws and regulations.
28. Supervises Child Life students.
29. Adheres to the Standards of Excellence at all times.
30. Performs other duties as assigned.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

Supervision Received: Director, Pediatric Service Line
Supervision Exercised: None

Minimum Qualifications (Essential Requirements):

• A Bachelor's Degree in Child Life preferred; Bachelor's Degree in Child Development, Early Education, Recreational Development or Psychology accepted.
• Three years post-bachelor's experience working with chronically ill children as a Child Life Specialist in a hospital setting.
• Child Life Specialist Certification required
• The Child Life Specialists must adjust to being around sick children and hospitals, Knowledgeable of medical terminology.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

Patient safety is a top priority. As a result, during the Influenza ("the flu") season (September through April), the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine requires all employees who provide ongoing services to patients, work in a location (all Hospitals and clinics) where patient care is provided, or work in patient care or clinical care areas, to have an annual influenza vaccination. Failure to meet this requirement will result in rescinding or termination of employment.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

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