BASIC PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Assists in promoting family centered care and meets the psychosocial needs of patients by providing developmentally appropriate interventions in a growth promoting environment.

REPORTS TO

• Director—Child Life

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Supervisory Responsibilities: NO

Minimum Education: High School Diploma/GED required; Associates Degree in Child Development preferred

License/Certification Required: None

Minimum Work Experience: 6 months- 1 year related experience working with children.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Assist in management of playrooms and activity rooms. 
• Oversee cleaning of playrooms and all toys according to departmental policies and infection control standards at ETCH.
• Maintain supplies for playroom and Child Life Development.
• Participate in special events and organization of in-kind donations under the direction of the CLS. 
• Document participation in child life activities according to policy.
• Organize and provide bedside activities for children and families. 
• Establishes relationships with team members and families that reflect the CORE value of Compassion, Ownership, Respect, and Excellence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides developmentally appropriate activities for individuals and groups of patients in the playrooms or at the bedside.
• Plans and directs developmentally appropriate activities that are also based on each patient’s diagnosis, assessment, dietary instructions, activity level, coping styles and social supports; activities promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery.
• Maintains continuity in the plan of care. Follows all safety and infection control guidelines.
• In collaboration with the healthcare team, provides emotional support through the use of coping and distraction techniques for patients during painful or frightening procedures. Assesses individual and family needs; uses developmentally appropriate practice
• Provides information on appropriate coping techniques to patients and families; provides supportive care and assists families and staff to do so. Stays up to date on current medical practice and procedures as well as Child Life Standards.
• Documents play preferences and interventions and verbally shares behavioral observations with the healthcare team.
• All documentation is recorded according to policy and procedure. Information regarding the developmental status, individual needs of the patient and family and environmental factors which contribute to the patient’s care are communicated in a timely and concise manner.
• Coordinates Preadmission Tour activities. Seeks opportunities to involve appropriate hospital staff in conducting the tour or offering content to improve the quality of the tour information.
• Obtains appropriate patient information to send invitations to children who are scheduled for elective surgery and answers questions patients and their families may have about the tour. Trains and schedules volunteers to present the tour; organizes the materials needed for the tour; maintains supplies and presents the tour as needed.
• Maintains playrooms and follows safety guidelines. Cleans toys according to infection control policies. Arranges playrooms in developmentally appropriate, safe fashion.
• Completes documentation of Child Life Services. Compiles monthly reports in accordance with departmental guidelines, including volunteer and student data. Monthly reports include special events and needs of units.
• Coordinates special programming with community groups. Organizes and prepares materials for planned activities; provides training and orientation to volunteers who will conduct the activities. Seeks opportunities to serve as liaison with community groups to increase and/or improve special programming in conjunction with appropriate hospital departments. Evaluates the impact of special programming on the patients and families as well as impact on Child Life Department.
• Participates in Quality Improvement Activities: Takes an active role in departmental processes identifying issues regarding Quality Improvement and implements Quality Improvement projects. Provides feedback to Director regarding effectiveness of Quality Improvement projects; always seeks ways to improve own performance and departmental services.
• Orients and supervises Child Life volunteers: Provides orientation and education to volunteers on interacting with children and the impact of illness, injury, and hospitalization on children and families; assigns volunteers specific duties and communicates information about patient needs. Ensures compliance with hospital policies; notifies Child Life Director with appropriate feedback information. Mentors and provides appropriate support for volunteers to motivate and encourage their professional growth.
• Maintains communication with the Child Life Director and Child Life Specialists: Communicates with Specialists on daily basis as to the needs of specific patients and provides appropriate agenda items for monthly staff meeting and participates in monthly staff meeting discussions. Serves as a liaison between evening healthcare team and Child Life Specialists on the inpatient units.
• Willingly accepts any other assignment that may be requested.
• Utilizes hospital resources and time respectfully and accountably

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Light lifting, pushing and pulling is required for 10-20 lbs occasionally and frequent moving of objects of less than 10 lbs is required. Frequent sitting with some walking, standing, squatting, bending and reaching is required. Keyboard/computer use and/or repetitive motions may be required. 

Come work where you can make a difference everyday.