ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                         Child Life Specialist           

REPORTS TO POSITION:        Department Manager/Director

DEPARTMENT:                         Pediatric Unit

DATE LAST REVIEWED:          September 13, 2018

OUR VISION:               Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:            In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:             Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The Pediatric Services department provides 24/7 specialized care to patients throughout their hospitalization and discharge.

The Child Life Specialist provides developmentally appropriate clinical care. They will advocate for patients and families by applying knowledge and skill that promotes healing, prevents significant developmental disruption, and reduces psychological stress in accordance with the St. Charles Health System mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures. Program goals are to provide positive, developmentally supportive experiences which assist patients in reducing fear and anxiety associated with hospitalization. Child Life Specialists are also involved in training pediatric volunteers and nursing caregivers in the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of pediatric patients. This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Provides patients/family with opportunities for understanding their hospitalization and/or illness through age-appropriate, diversional and therapeutic play activities. These activities often assist in the reduction of fear and anxiety commonly associated with hospitalization.

Prioritizes and provides child life assessments and specific interventions based on patient/family stressors, adjustment to illness, available support and demonstrated coping skills. Knowledge of specific illnesses/diagnosis, physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of children 0-18 years of age.

Responds to child life orders in a timely manner.

Communicates plan of care with multidisciplinary team members as appropriate.

Responds to calls from hospital departments, families, and community in a timely manner.

Advocates for the developmental needs of pediatric patients in all areas of healthcare environment: space planning, committee work, family centered care, etc. Communicates needs clearly with health care team.

Provides patients with reliable, consistent, and safe care.

Collaborates closely with fellow child life team members regarding patient needs, child life assessment, care plan and ensures coverage of schedule.

Provides departmental tours for patients and families prior to scheduled procedures as appropriate.

Demonstrates awareness of and supports St. Charles departmental and operating unit goals through participation in continuous quality improvement and departmental activities.

Participates in activities that promote professional growth and development of self and others.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Value Improvement Practice (VIP- Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate. 

Participates in creating a healing environment that supports all aspects of the care environment and the wholeness of each individual, patient and caregiver.

Participates in creating intentional relationships and demonstrates focus attitudes and behaviors that enhance the care experience.

Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients in a caring way, including introducing oneself and explaining role in patient’s care, asking the patient his or her preferred name, sitting with the patient to determine his or her care goals, active listening, and communicating effectively and appropriately through touch, eye contact, etc Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with hospital policies, procedures and regulatory agencies. 

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.  Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION                  

Required:  Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or a related field required. 

Preferred: N/A

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

Required:   Current Child Life Specialist (CCLS) Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals.

AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification.     

Preferred: N/A

EXPERIENCE

Required:  One year of Child Life Specialist experience            

Preferred:  5 years’ experience as a Child Life Specialist and/or experience introducing services into a hospital setting

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION: 
Must have excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent St. Charles Health System.
Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills. 

Strong teamwork and collaborative skills.

Strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills. 

Basic to intermediate ability and experience with computer applications, specifically electronic medical records system and MS Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Standing and walking, keyboard operation, use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-25 pounds. The use and operation of a motor vehicle for Home Health and Wound Caregivers.

Occasionally (25%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Rarely (10%): Climbing stairs.

Never (0%):  Climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), operation of a motor vehicle.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area, chemical solution.

Never (0%):  Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP

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