Child Life Specialist (Per Diem)

Quick Facts

• Role: Child Life Specialist (Per Diem)
• Setting: Pediatric and NICU patients and families
• Schedule: Day/Evening; per diem/casual; variable days; weekends as needed (about once a month)

Description

Assist pediatric and NICU patients and families in coping with hospitalization and illness through planning and delivering evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions tailored to emotional and developmental needs. Plan and implement child life programs and services based on identified needs of assigned clinical populations while promoting high-quality, family-centered care. Communicate effectively with children of all ages, families, and hospital staff, and direct day-to-day activities for patients and supervised learners.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions for children and families
• Deliver evidence-based child life programming based on emotional and developmental needs
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to support coping and well-being
• Provide therapeutic play for individual children and groups
• Assess children’s behaviors and needs to guide interventions
• Teach and utilize coping strategies
• Supervise volunteers, students, and interns; manage day-to-day activities
• Maintain communication (verbal and written) with children, families, and staff
• Independently prioritize multiple demands; handle crisis and emergent situations

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or related area with all necessary coursework for Clinical Child Life Certification
• Successful completion of a Child Life Internship meeting ACLP requirements
• CCLS-Certified Child Life Specialist within 1 year
• BLS (Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider)
• 5 years recent relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability to implement therapeutic play and apply child development knowledge
• Ability to assess behaviors/needs and support coping strategies
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

Benefits

• No benefits listed
• Per diem/casual (non-exempt)