Child Life Asst

University of Maryland Medical System Corporation; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Medical System Corporation seeks a Child Life Assistant to support developmentally appropriate activities for children from birth to 18 years, under supervision of certified child life specialists. The role focuses on minimizing distress and supporting social, emotional, physical, and educational needs within a health care setting.

Responsibilities include assisting with program implementation, maintaining play environments, and collaborating with the care team to meet

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with children, families and the care team.
• Knowledge of child growth, development, stress effects, and coping strategies.
• Ability to maintain records and follow infection control procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assists in implementing therapeutic programs for hospitalized children.
• Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with children and families.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates activities at bedside and in activity areas.
• Facilitates structured group activities to foster peer interaction and socialization.
• Maintains a safe, developmentally appropriate play environment and resources.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Ability to follow directions

Patient-centered care

Education

Two years of college or Associate's Degree with child development courses

Job description

Job Requirements

The Child Life Assistant assists in providing a program of developmental and therapeutic activities for children between the ages of birth and eighteen years of age. Works under the direction of certified child life specialists and is supervised by the child life manager. Collaborates with child life specialists to provide developmentally appropriate experiences and support to children and families in the health care setting. Services are provided to minimize distress and to support the social, emotional, physical, and educational needs of children. Enhances the quality of care through observation and communication with members of the health care team. Assists with record keeping, maintenance of equipment and supplies, and general patient care needs.

Job Requirements

The Child Life Assistant assists in providing a program of developmental and therapeutic activities for children between the ages of birth and eighteen years of age. Works under the direction of certified child life specialists and is supervised by the child life manager. Collaborates with child life specialists to provide developmentally appropriate experiences and support to children and families in the health care setting. Services are provided to minimize distress and to support the social, emotional, physical, and educational needs of children. Enhances the quality of care through observation and communication with members of the health care team. Assists with record keeping, maintenance of equipment and supplies, and general patient care needs.

II. Principal Responsibilities And Tasks

The following standards are intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected from people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Assists in the implementation of therapeutic programs designed to meet the physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs of hospitalized children
• Utilizes child life specialists' initial and ongoing assessment data to deliver quality care.
• Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with children and families.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates activities and interactions at the bedside and in activity areas to match and address the child's developmental and psychosocial needs. Anticipates and recognizes stressors for children and intervenes appropriately.
• Facilitates structured group activities to foster peer interaction and socialization.
• Facilitates opportunities for therapeutic play and provides opportunities for medical play.
• Prepares and maintains a safe, inviting, and developmentally responsive play environment appropriate for children birth to eighteen years of age.
• Assists with activities for special occasions and holidays.
• Identifies issues specific to infant, toddler, preschool, school-age, and adolescent population and provides care appropriately.
• Promotes family centered care by integrating families into child life programming.
• Provides ongoing information to families about services available.
• Acts as a resource to families in the areas of child development, parenting and play.
• Assists with special projects intended to support family centered care as appropriate.
• Advocates for the needs of children and families in the healthcare setting.
• Assist child life specialists in identifying and providing services to meet the developmental and emotional needs of siblings.
• Functions as an active, contributing member of the child life department, hospital and health care team
• Communicates observations regarding children's development and behaviors with child life team mates and other health care team members.
• Collaborates effectively with child life specialists and interdisciplinary team.
• Acts as a resource within the healthcare environment and the community.
• Effectively represents child life to internal and external customers.
• Schedules, organizes, and facilitates special events, ensuring that the visit is appropriate for children, families and staff.
• Ensures optimal use of resources and continuous quality improvement.
• Cleans toys and equipment following infection control guidelines.
• Demonstrates fiscal responsibility to effectively obtain, utilize and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Follows established processes and procedures for optimal service delivery.
• Prioritizes and organizes work for accurate and timely outcomes and manageable workloads. Takes primary responsibility for organizing and maintaining toys, supplies and play areas.
• Supervises volunteers within the child life program and provides written and oral feedback.
• Assists with orientation of volunteers. Matches patient needs and volunteer skills in making assignments.
• Pursues opportunities for professional growth, in both teaching and learning roles
• Seeks out and participates in professional educational opportunities.
• Takes responsibility to actively participate in professional supervision.

Work Experience

Education and Experience

• Two years of college or an Associate's Degree with child development courses, or equivalent experience, is required.
• Prior experience working with children and/or adolescents is required. One year of experience supervising groups of children and/or hospital experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills are required to interact with children, families, volunteers and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development and family systems; knowledge of the developmental effects of stress and trauma on children and interventions to alleviate distress; knowledge of basic medical diagnoses and procedures; knowledge of special needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions; knowledge of play activities and some familiarity with body of research regarding children in health care settings; knowledge of current child development literature
• Ability to follow directions and maintain records.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs,