Child Life Specialist

Full-time

615 N. Michigan Street

Professional

Evening

Reports to the Summit Coordinator. Is responsible for providing Child Life services of psychosocial support to children and families during hospitalization, surgeries, and or outpatient visits. Maintains the physical, therapeutic, developmental and educational environment of Child Life Services in a manner that promotes a child/family friendly atmosphere. Provides expertise and knowledge of child growth and development to the healthcare team. Adjusts patient interaction and/or treatment to match each patient's age-specific developmental, educational and other related needs which may include participating as Facility Dog Handler and incorporating this service in to work activities.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

* MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
* VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
* SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Provides psychosocial and developmental support to children within the healthcare setting by:

* Assessing the patient's psychosocial and developmental needs within the context of their adjustment to the healthcare setting.
* Formulating appropriate treatment goals and documents plans and intervention in the medical record.
* Facilitating and providing appropriate interventions through individual and group play/art activities, therapeutic activities/medical play, preparation for procedures, surgeries and potentially stressful events.

Provides support to the family members of hospitalized children by:

* Working with parents to help them understand their child's responses to the hospital setting and medical treatments.
* Collaborating with parents to develop appropriate psychosocial and developmental intervention for their children.
* Coaching and engaging parents in providing effective support for their hospitalized child.
* Mentoring and working with other staff and volunteers to provide hospitalized children with appropriate emotional support to parents and siblings of hospitalized children.
* Participating in multidisciplinary rounds and care planning.
* Planning and supervising special events, holiday activities, birthday parties and entertainment, assuring the appropriateness of guests and adherence to safety issues.
* Ordering, stocking and maintaining developmentally appropriate materials/toys and assures a safe and supportive environment.
* Fostering an enterprise-wide culture that provides developmentally supportive care by contributing to policy development, facility design, and training/education of staff and volunteers encountering children in the hospital.

Providing/Incorporating Facility Dog services support to staff members and patients by:

* Responding to critical care or bereavements to provide comfort and emotional support to staff and patients on the handler's designated units.
* Being present at shine debriefings whenever possible to support staff and help facilitate and environment where staff can feel open to communicate.
* Assessing the patient's psychosocial and development needs within the context of their adjustment to the healthcare setting.
* Formulating appropriate treatment goals and documenting plans and interventions in the facility record.
* Facilitating and providing appropriate interventions using the Facility Dog.

Uses innovative strategies to create an exceptional, cutting-edge program by:

* Continually reviewing and incorporating best practices and resources into services.
* Seeking out innovative practices and ideas that create new and effective supportive experiences for children and families.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

* Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

* Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
* Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
* Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
* Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
* Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
* Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
* Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
* Complies with established organization and department policies.
* Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

* Leverage innovation everywhere.
* Cultivate human talent.
* Embrace performance improvement.
* Build greatness through accountability.
* Use information to improve and advance.
* Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

* The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through successful completion of a bachelor's or master's degree in child development, health education, early childhood education or related field. Completion of at least 500 hours of Child Life internship and certification as a Child Life Specialist is required or must be obtained within six months of hire date. If performing Facility Dog responsibilities acceptance into Canine Companions for Independence Handler Training or similar program.

Knowledge & Skills

* Demonstrates a thorough and in-depth knowledge of child development, family systems, and age-appropriate education.
* Demonstrates the ability to create innovative and effective resources.
* Demonstrates the ability to work independently, plan and evaluate services, set priorities, organize information, analyze problems, and make appropriate judgments to complete the essential functions of the position.
* Demonstrates well developed interpersonal skills necessary to promote and maintain cooperative, courteous, sincere or therapeutic relationships with patients, family members, staff and volunteers.
* Demonstrates clear, effective communication skills, including verbal, written and listening skills.
* Demonstrates computer literacy and the ability to learn and use computer programs specific to the department needs.

Working Conditions

* Works in office and patient care environments.
* Routine use of automated and mechanical equipment.
* Requires flexibility and adaptability in work hours, including evenings and weekends.

Physical Demands

* Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e., lifting, bending, crouching, kneeling, and the ability to transport patients safely) to perform the essential functions of the position.
* If performing Facility Dog responsibilities, a requirement of caring for the dog which includes but not limited to: Daily walks/exercise, teeth cleaning, grooming and taking dog to and from work.