Child Life Assistant

Hackensack Meridian Health; Hackensack (NJ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health in Hackensack, NJ is seeking a part-time Child Life Assistant to support child life specialists by planning developmentally appropriate activities for patients in play areas, waiting rooms, or at bedside.

The role requires at least two years of college in child development or related field and prior experience with children; two days per week plus Saturday shifts, 10am–4pm, onsite, with a focus on compassionate care and family engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of college in child development, child and family studies or related field.
• Minimum of 2 courses in child development, child life, child and family studies or related field.
• Previous experience working with children.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and provides developmentally appropriate bedside activities for children and families.
• Offers group activities for patients and family members to promote socialization and normalization.
• Complies with Volunteer Office, Child Life Department and HackensackUMC policies and procedures.
• Contributes to patients and siblings' positive development and adjustment through play opportunities.
• Assists in management of playrooms, waiting rooms, activity rooms.
• Observes play activities and reports significant information to staff.
• Maintains supplies for playrooms and/or Child Life Department.
• Oversees cleaning of playrooms according to departmental, institutional and Joint Commission policies.
• Works with child life volunteers.
• Assists child life staff in organizing donations.
• Works with child life staff in support of special events.
• Meets annual evaluation competencies.
• Electronically documents child life assistance support provided on daily basis.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs.

Skills

Experience with children

Child development

Education

College coursework in child development or related field

Job description

Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better.

At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.

Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Child Life Assistant works under the supervision of a child life specialist and report to the Section Chief of Child Life. Child Life Assistant is responsible for planning and providing developmentally and psychosocially appropriate activities for patients in the playroom, waiting room or at bedside.

This is an onsite part-time position- two days per week and every Saturday from 10am-4pm.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Child Life Assistantat Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Organizes and provides developmentally appropriate bedside activities for children and families.
• Offers group activities for patients and family members to promote socialization and normalization.
• Complies with Volunteer Office, Child Life Department and HackensackUMC policies and procedures.
• Contributes to patients and siblings positive development and adjustment through play opportunities.
• Assists in management of playrooms, waiting rooms, activity rooms.
• Observes play activities and reports significant information to staff.
• Maintains supplies for playrooms and/or Child Life Department.
• Oversees cleaning of playrooms according to departmental, institutional and Joint Commission policies.
• Works with child life volunteers.
• Assists child life staff in organizing donations.
• Works with child life staff in support of special events.
• Meets annual evaluation competencies.
• Electronically documents child life assistance support provided on daily basis.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age. Culture, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes communicating with the patient, parent and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Minimum of 2 years of college in child development, child and family studies or related field.
• Minimum of 2 courses in child development, child life, child and family studies or related field.
• Previous experience working with children.

Starting Minimum Rate

Minimum rate of $21.73 Hourly

Job Posting Disclosure

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to: Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness. Experience: Years of relevant work experience. Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training. Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies. Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location. Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization. Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered. Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.