Child Life Program Manager

Essentia Health; United States; Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Essentia Health is seeking a Child Life Program Manager to lead development and coordination of patient and caregiver education and support programs. You will liaison with healthcare teams and community partners, applying evidence-based child development practices and data interpretation to guide outreach initiatives.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with 3 years in acute care and Child Life Certification or ability to obtain; BCLS certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 3 years of related experience in an acute care children’s facility.
• Child Life Professional Certification or ability to obtain within 6–12 months, with certification maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Promotes development of children to optimize responses to medical care and reduce stress.
• Assesses patients and families to plan interventions.
• Provides opportunities for mastery, play, learning, self-expression, family involvement and peer interaction.
• Advocates for children and families in ambulatory and inpatient settings.
• Manages donor donations and coordinates utilization and donor relations.
• Leads efforts to expand and enhance the Child Life Program through planning and resource cultivation.
• Provides consultative support to Essentia departments and evaluates developmentally sensitive facilities and materials.
• Coordinates and oversees volunteers in pediatric care areas.

Skills

Child Life

Leadership

Education coordination

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Building Location: Building B - St Marys Medical Center Department: 2005290 CHILDRENS HOSPITAL - SMMC HOSP Job Description: Essentia Health is hiring a Child Life Program Manager on our Child Life team!

Job Description

The Child Life Program Manager is responsible for providing leadership, program development and coordination of patient and caregiver education and support programs. Acts as a primary liaison between healthcare teams and key community and internal partners. This position requires the knowledge of and ability to research evidence-based practices for child development and health experiences, and to analyze and interpret data to make recommendations about areas of focus for outreach efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Promotes the continuous development of children to optimize their responses to medical care, to minimize psychological stress and trauma, and to increase understanding and coping with illness and health care experiences
• Assesses patients and families with the goal of planning interventions
• Provides children with opportunities for gaining a sense of mastery, for play, for learning, for self-expression, for family involvement and for peer interaction
• Advocates for children and families in ambulatory and inpatient settings
• Manages donor donations, including identifying program needs, coordinating donation utilization, and maintaining positive donor relationships
• Leads efforts to build, expand, and enhance the Child Life Program through strategic planning, program development, and resource cultivation
• Provides consultative support to all Essentia departments including evaluation of developmentally sensitive facilities, materials and processes
• Coordinates and oversees volunteers’ activities during volunteers' time in pediatric patient care areas

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree with a preference in therapeutic recreation, child life, family or child development, counseling, child psychology, education, social work or related field

Required Qualifications

3 years of related experience, preferably in an acute care children’s facility

Licensure/Certification Qualifications

• Child Life Professional Certification or ability to obtain within 6-12 months. Must maintain certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required or ability to obtain within 3 months

Employment Details

• FTE: 1
• Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:
• Shift Rotation: Day Rotation (United States of America)
• Shift Start Time:
• Shift End Time:
• Weekends:
• Holidays:
• No Call Obligation:
• No Union:
• Union Posting Deadline:
• Compensation Range: $28.40 - $42.60

Employee Benefits at Essentia Health

At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact your HR Service Center at [phone]. Find more than a job. Find more in yourself. Find your calling. Essentia Health seeks employees who embrace our commitment to patient- and family-centered care in communities both large and small. We're looking for people who are committed to making patients and their families feel known and understood. People who understand what it means to be Here with you. People who are willing to use their strengths to help others. Our Values Quality | Hospitality | Respect | Joy | Justice | Stewardship | Teamwork Essentia Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Essentia Health does not discriminate in employment because of age, color, creed, culture, disability (physical or mental), ethnicity, familial status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, language, local Human Rights Commission activity, national origin, military service, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or public assistance status. Job offers are contingent upon successful completion of post-offer screenings. Screenings includes verification of your legal right to work in the United States, a health screening and immunization review, verification of applicable licensure, certifications, education, and experience, and background checks including criminal, urine drug screen and MVR where required.