Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) - Inpatient Pediatrics Carle Foundation Hospital

Carle Health; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare system seeks a compassionate Child Life Specialist to support pediatric patients and their families. This role focuses on meeting psychosocial needs through education, therapeutic play, and procedural support, ensuring children cope effectively with medical experiences. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, providing vital resources for nursing staff and assisting families during challenging times. Join a supportive environment where your contributions will make a significant impact on the lives of children and their families, helping them navigate through difficult medical situations with care and understanding.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work opportunities

Growth and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must hold BLS certification within 30 days and CCLS within 1 year.
• Bachelor's degree in Child Development or related field is required.

Responsibilities

• Integrates age and developmental considerations into patient care.
• Facilitates family involvement and supports adjustment to illness.
• Documents Child Life services provided to patients.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Therapeutic play

Family support

Coping strategies

Nonpharmacological pain management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Child Development

Bachelor's Degree in Related Field

Tools

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)

Job description

Overview

The Child Life Specialist works to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families by providing education, preparation, procedural support, and therapeutic play to reduce stress and enable pediatric patients to cope more effectively with their medical experiences. The Child Life Specialist will act as a resource for nursing staff by aiding in their understanding of the psychosocial effects of hospitalization of children and adolescents according to both their chronological age as well as their developmental level. The Child Life Specialist will be responsible for assisting families through the initial stages of the grieving process.

Qualifications

License/Certifications:
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA); Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 1 year - Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)

Education:
Bachelor's Degree: Related Field; Bachelor's Degree: Child Development

Other Knowledge/Skills:

Responsibilities

1. Integrates into practice full consideration of the chronological age, developmental level, and the cultural diversity of the patient.
2. Works collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of the patient and family.
3. Carries out psychosocial assessments of patients and families to identify needs, strengths, and concerns.
4. Utilizes developmentally appropriate explanations, sensory information, hands-on exploration, and medical/therapeutic play to explain medical information to children and adolescents.
5. Facilitates family involvement and supports patients and families in adjustment to illness/injury as well as hospitalization.
6. Creates coping plans with patients and assists in designated activity during stressful procedures (e.g. diversion, guided imagery, deep breathing).
7. Provides and supports nonpharmacological pain management.
8. Provides safe, developmentally appropriate play and peer interactions to patients to aid in the normalization of the hospital environment.
9. Supports families through the initial stages of grief and bereavement in regards to the death of a parent, sibling, or the child's own impending death.
10. Documents patient information pertaining to Child Life services provided.
11. Assists with pediatric unit programs and events to provide activities and entertainment to patients and families through community engagement.
12. Develops educational resources for staff, patients, and the community.
13. Participates in training and mentoring students pursuing clinical preparation within the Child Life department.
14. Oversees the inventory of medical and developmental play items throughout the hospital.
15. Functions as a mandated reporter, reporting suspicions of child abuse and/or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.
17. Provides medical play and/or diversion tactics during painful procedures.
18. Oversees the inventory of donated supplies within Pediatrics.
19. Directs unit volunteers.

About Us

Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. The supportive and inclusive team where you can thrive. The place where growth meets balance – and opportunities meet flexibility. Find it all at Carle Health.

Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is a healthcare system with nearly 16,600 team members in its eight hospitals, physician groups and a variety of healthcare businesses. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. The system includes Methodist College and Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Health Alliance. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: [e-mail].

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this position is $19.71 per hour - $31.93 per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.