Child Life Assistant - Specialty Support - St. Mary

Ochsner LSU Health; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner LSU Health in Louisiana is seeking an enthusiastic Child Life Assistant to support Child Life Specialists by maintaining playrooms, preparing developmental activities, and assisting with therapeutic and recreational programs for pediatric patients and families.

Requirements include a high school diploma and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; coursework in child development or psychology is preferred. The role requires flexibility, teamwork, and ability to travel between facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• BLS certification required.
• Experience with children or healthcare settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain playroom environments, cleans equipment, stock supplies, and upholds safety guidelines.
• Assists with age-appropriate therapeutic and recreational activities.
• Provide activity support for patients on isolation or bed rest as arranged with clinical staff.
• Prepares materials and environments for therapeutic interventions and group programming.
• Support special events, community groups, and volunteer coordination activities.
• Observes patient responses and communicates relevant information to Child Life Specialist.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, demonstrating respect for privacy and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Coursework in child development/psychology/education

Job description

This job assists in implementing child life services by providing operational and therapeutic activity support to help meet the developmental and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and families. This role supports Child Life Specialists by maintaining and facilitating developmentally appropriate activities under supervision.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Education

Required – High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred – Coursework in child development, psychology, education, or related filed.

Work Experience

Required – None.

Preferred – Experience working with children, healthcare environments, or volunteer programs.

Certifications

Required – Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal with patients, families, multidisciplinary team members, departmental peers, and community agency personnel effectively and courteously.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and a professional relationship with patients and families.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability) and travel throughout and between facilities.

Job Duties

• Maintain playroom environments, cleans equipment, stock supplies, and upholds safety guidelines.
• Assists with age-appropriate therapeutic and recreational activities.
• Provide activity support for patients on isolation or bed rest as arranged with clinical staff.
• Prepares materials and environments for therapeutic interventions and group programming.
• Support special events, community groups, and volunteer coordination activities.
• Observes patient responses and communicates relevant information to Child Life Specialist.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, demonstrating respect for privacy and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations, and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to perform or assist in emergency care or first aid.

There is no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site.

Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.