Child Life Specialist

UnityPoint Health; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental and health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

401K matching

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Daily Pay

Job summary

UnityPoint Health seeks a Child Life Specialist to assess and implement age-appropriate, therapeutic interventions for patients and their families. The role focuses on reducing stress, supporting coping, and promoting family-centered care within the clinical team.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Child Life or a closely related field, completion of a Child Life internship, and eligibility to sit for the certification exam.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or closely related field required.
• Completion of a Child Life internship and ability to sit for the exam to become certified.
• Certification eligibility process or certification status as applicable.

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 normalization, trusting relationships, and positive self-image.
• Participates with the interdisciplinary team by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating patient care interventions; educates staff, students, volunteers, and families.
• Records and reports data on interventions and volunteer attendance; adheres to HIPAA and regulatory guidelines.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field

Child Life internship completed

Eligible to sit for Child Life certification exam

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.