Child Life Specialist

RWJBarnabas Health; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Child Life Specialist to provide optimal developmental care for pediatric patients. This role involves assessing children's needs and implementing therapeutic interventions to minimize distress in healthcare settings. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, you'll create individualized care plans that foster resilience and support families through their healthcare journeys. With a commitment to patient-centered care, this position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their families while enjoying a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance

Dental and Vision Insurance

Retirement Plans

Short & Long Term Disability

Life & Accidental Death Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Wellness Programs

Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and completion of a 600-hour internship required.
• Certification within 1 year of employment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for children's needs and maintains open communication with healthcare team.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with children and families.

Skills

Child Development

Psychosocial Assessment

Therapeutic Play

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

600-hour Internship

Job description

Child Life Specialist

Req #: 0000165622

Category: Behavioral and Mental Health

Status: Per Diem

Shift: Day

Facility: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Department: Spirit of Children

Location: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112-2027

Job Overview:

Provides optimal developmental and psychosocially appropriate care for pediatric patients and families. Assesses children's developmental and coping needs and implements developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions such as play, medical play, psychological preparation, and rehearsed coping to minimize distress associated with the healthcare environment and to foster resiliency. Collaborates as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and administer an individualized plan of care.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Completion of 600-hour Internship

Preferred:

Certification required within 1 year of employment.

Essential Functions:

• Advocates for the needs of children and youth by maintaining open communication with other healthcare team members.
• Integrates multidisciplinary team goals into the child life program.
• Communicates concisely with team members, integrating child life theory, research, and practice at case conferences, rounds, and informally.
• Consults with Child Life Coordinator regarding situations requiring specific attention or follow-up.
• Determines and prioritizes the needs, scope, and depth of child life services required for each patient.
• Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with children and families.
• Follows established program structure, policies, and procedures of the medical center.
• Gives lectures within the healthcare setting, adapting approaches to content to the audience.
• Maintains the playroom and all equipment in a clean and sanitary manner at all times.
• Seeks family involvement in their child's, child's life goals, matching expectations with family.
• Trains and/or orients volunteers in the Child Life program, matching patient needs with volunteer skills.
• Uses developmentally appropriate play as a primary tool in assessing and meeting the child's psychosocial needs in the healthcare setting.
• Uses developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aids and techniques to increase knowledge, set realistic and obtainable goals, and address these goals with the healthcare team.
• Documents developmental and behavioral issues impacting patient care concisely, objectively, and accurately in the patient's medical record.
• Acts as an advocate for families in the healthcare setting.
• Acts as a role model regarding age-specific and developmentally appropriate care.
• Documents professional assessments in a timely manner.
• Educates families regarding children's responses to healthcare environments, coping, chronic illness, and grief.

Benefits and Perks:

Our market-competitive Total Rewards package includes:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts through partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Why Choose RWJBarnabas Health:

We are committed to providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, creating a positive work environment. We aim to make a meaningful impact in communities across New Jersey through healthcare, education, and research initiatives that address both clinical and social health determinants.

We value diversity and are an Equal Opportunity Employer.