Child Life Specialist

Socket.dev; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Dental and health insurance

401K matching

Employee recognition program

Daily Pay

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Pet insurance

Job summary

UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Child Life Specialist to provide assessments and therapeutic interventions for patients and families, reducing stress and fostering coping. The role collaborates with the healthcare team, documents observations, and advocates for family-centered care, while supporting child development and psychosocial well-being.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field, completion of a Child Life internship, and eligibility to sit

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or closely related field.
• Has completed a Child Life internship and able to sit for the exam to become certified.

Responsibilities

• Provides preparation and medical play opportunities with information for patients to help alleviate misconceptions and improve understanding of hospital procedures.
• Maintains a comfortable, clean and safe play space.
• Directs play toward normalization of the healthcare experience and building trusting relationships with patients and families.
• Acts as a resource for parents and staff on child development and healthcare related issues.
• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in planning, implementing and evaluating patient care interventions.
• Educates staff, students, volunteers, patients and families; works with volunteers and students to provide supportive programming for children.
• Records statistical data regarding interventions and volunteer attendance; reports questions or concerns regarding compliance to department/organization staff.
• Uses a family-centered approach considering various criteria appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer service and aligns with CORE values and expectations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life or closely related field

Job description

Overview

The Child Life Specialist provides individual assessments and age-appropriate therapeutic interventions for patients and their families. Interventions are designed to minimize stressors associated with the healthcare experience and foster individual patient and family strengths. The Child Life Specialist participates with the healthcare team and communicates observations and assessments to family and staff members, advocates for the patients and families utilizing the elements of family-centered care and serves as a resource on child development and psychosocial issues for parents and healthcare staff.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Provides preparation and medical play opportunities with information for patients to help alleviate misconceptions and improve understanding of hospital procedures. Responsible for maintaining a comfortable, clean and safe play space. Directs play toward: a) normalization of the healthcare experience; b) building trusting and non-threatening relationships with patients and families; c) encourage normal growth and development; d) encourage a positive self-image; e) provide group and individual activities based on patient needs. Is a resource for parents and staff on child development and healthcare related issues. Participates with the interdisciplinary team by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care interventions. Participates in the informal and formal education of staff, students, volunteers, patients and families. Works with volunteers and students in providing supportive programming for children. Compiles and records statistical data regarding interventions with patients and volunteer attendance. Reports any questions or concerns regarding compliance immediately to the attention of department or organization/hospital administrative staff. Utilizes a family-centered approach (considering physical, psych/social, spiritual, educational, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients served. Shows responsible and accountable management of human, fiscal, and material resources. Accepts responsibility for maintaining and developing personal and professional skills and knowledge related to the work area assigned. Demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer service by striving to exceed customer expectations. Integrates and demonstrates CORE values and Expectations for Personal and Service Excellence to guide professional behaviors, while adhering to the policies and procedures of UPH-DM. Balances team and individual responsibilities; open and objective to other's views; gives them welcome feedback; contributes to positive team goals; and puts the success of the team above own interests. Demonstrates the knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately. Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department by regular, reliable attendance. Practice reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.

Qualifications

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Child Life or closely related field. Has completed a Child Life internship and able to sit for the exam to become certified.