Text copied to clipboard!
Title
Text copied to clipboard!Child Life Specialist
Description
Text copied to clipboard!
We are looking for a compassionate and experienced Child Life Specialist to join our healthcare team. In this role, you will be dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families facing medical challenges. By utilizing therapeutic play, education, and psychological preparation, you will help minimize the stress and anxiety that hospital visits, medical procedures, and illnesses can cause. Our ideal candidate is someone who can assess the needs of children and their families, develop individualized care plans, and provide emotional support through various interventions. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, and social workers to ensure that the psychosocial and developmental needs of pediatric patients are met. This role requires a deep understanding of child development, family systems, and the impact of illness, injury, and treatment on the psychological well-being of children. You will also play a vital role in educating caregivers and hospital staff about the needs of children in healthcare settings. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and possess the necessary skills and experience, we encourage you to apply.
Responsibilities
Text copied to clipboard!- Assess the psychosocial needs of children and families to develop individualized care plans.
- Provide therapeutic play sessions that help children express feelings, understand medical procedures, and cope with hospitalization.
- Educate children and families about health conditions, medical procedures, and hospital routines to reduce fear and anxiety.
- Support children and families during medical procedures and treatments.
- Collaborate with healthcare providers to advocate for the child's emotional and developmental needs.
- Develop and implement strategies to promote optimal development and maintain normal living patterns.
- Coordinate special events, entertainment, and activities for pediatric patients.
- Train and supervise volunteers and interns in the child life program.
- Maintain accurate records of assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss care plans and patient progress.
- Provide grief and bereavement support to families dealing with loss.
- Educate hospital staff about the psychosocial needs of children and the role of play in healing.
- Develop resources and materials for children and families to understand medical experiences.
- Ensure that the child life services comply with hospital policies, procedures, and standards of care.
- Advocate for the needs and rights of children in all healthcare settings.
Requirements
Text copied to clipboard!- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
- Certification as a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
- Previous experience working with children in a healthcare setting is preferred.
- Strong understanding of child development and family systems.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and hospital procedures.
- Ability to handle stressful situations with professionalism and compassion.
- Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and adherence to the code of ethical and professional standards.
Potential interview questions
Text copied to clipboard!- Can you describe a time when you had to use play to help a child understand a medical procedure?
- How do you approach creating individualized care plans for children with diverse needs?
- What strategies do you use to support families dealing with grief and loss?
- How do you stay current with developments in child life, child development, and healthcare?
- Can you give an example of how you have worked with a multidisciplinary team to improve a child's healthcare experience?
- How do you handle situations where a child is resistant to your interventions?
- What is your experience with documenting patient care and interventions?
- How do you ensure that your practice adheres to hospital policies and ethical standards?
- Can you describe a particularly challenging case you have worked on and how you managed it?
- What do you think is the most important aspect of a child life specialist's role in a healthcare setting?