Child Life Specialist Associate - Term Limited

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental and vision

2:1 retirement match

Job summary

Michigan Medicine is seeking a child life specialist to support pediatric and adult patients and families, providing education, non-pharmacological pain management, therapeutic play, and bereavement support. With guidance from senior staff, you will train students and volunteers and contribute to interdisciplinary care.

This is a one-year term-limited appointment. The role requires certification within 18 months of hire and pediatric healthcare experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life or related field meeting ACLP eligibility requirements.
• Related field plus 10 ACLP-eligible courses.
• Any field plus 10 ACLP-eligible courses.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate proficiency in ACLP-defined competencies.
• Assess and prioritize developmental and psychosocial needs.
• Plan and implement therapeutic interventions and play experiences.
• Advocate for patient- and family-centered care.
• Document treatment plans and outcomes in the EMR.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life

Bachelor's degree in a related field + 10 courses meeting ACLP eligibility

Bachelor's degree in any field + 10 courses meeting ACLP eligibility

Job description

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The Child & Family Life department at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is seeking a self-motivated, confident and enthusiastic child life specialist to join our team. Functioning as a member of the health care team, the child life specialist is responsible for supporting pediatric and adult patients and their family members in adjusting to healthcare experiences, illness/injury and loss across critical care, acute and ambulatory health care settings. Assessing developmental, psychosocial, emotional and cultural needs using a strengths-based approach, the child life specialist provides developmentally appropriate education for medical procedures and diagnoses, non-pharmacological pain management, therapeutic play and emotional and bereavement support for the patient and family. With support from advanced child life staff, the child life specialist orients and trains child life students and volunteers, provides interdisciplinary education related to the psychosocial and developmental needs of patients and families, and participates in patient related programming and events.

This position is a one-year term limited appointment.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate proficiency in all child life clinical competencies and standards of clinical practice as defined by the Child Life Certification Commission, a subsidiary of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
• Assess and prioritize patient and family needs for developmentally appropriate child life intervention. Support patients and families in coping with stresses associated with health care experiences through the development of therapeutic and supportive relationships.
• Plan and implement therapeutic interventions and a variety of individual and group play experiences promoting development, self-expression, and mastery.
• Advocate for patient and family-centered care through communication, involvement, partnership with and empowerment of patients and family members.
• Contribute to overall departmental coverage needs through daily coverage plan and float pager coverage.
• Document treatment plans/outcomes for patients within the electronic medical record as required by department guidelines and professional standards.
• Provide a physically and emotionally safe, therapeutic and healing environment for patients, families and staff.
• Provide education regarding illness/condition, treatment, procedures and coping techniques to patients, family members, and the larger community as appropriate.
• Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, integrating goals and plans to promote optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and psychosocially sound. Regularly attends and participates in medical, multidisciplinary, and psychosocial team meetings.
• Co‑treat and refer patients and families to multidisciplinary services and resources as needed. Maintain and order supplies and equipment as needed. Serve as a financial steward by implementing cost effective programming.
• Orient and supervise volunteers and participate in education for Michigan Medicine and visiting students.
• Facilitate ongoing formal and informal education and orientation for unit and multidisciplinary team on availability and provision of child life service.
• Remain abreast of current developments in the child life profession and participate in professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and skills. Professional involvement with the ACLP is highly encouraged.
• Represent Child and Family Life and manages clinical responsibilities on evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
• Actively participate in monthly clinical team and committee meetings.
• Exemplify Michigan Medicine?s values related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Adhere to and embrace Child and Family Life team norms.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

One Of The Following Three Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life meets the Child Life Certification Commission's academic eligibility requirements allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study (i.e., child development, family studies, psychology) and 10 college/university courses that meet the Child Life Certification Commission's academic eligibility requirements allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Bachelor's degree in any field of study and 10 college/university courses that meet the Child Life Certification Commission's academic eligibility requirements allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.

Additional Requirements

• Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals as a Certified Child Life Specialist within first 18 months of hire. A minimum of two attempts to pass the exam are required within the first year of hire.
• Some Pediatric healthcare experience.

This classification requires Primary Source Verification.

Desired Qualifications

• ACLP and Great Lakes Association of Child Life Professionals (GLACLP) membership.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Work Schedule

Location: C.S. Mott Ambulatory Care Clinics

Schedule: Monday - Friday, days

Some weekends and holidays required.

• This position is eligible for shift premium.

Additional Information

This is a one-year term-limited appointment. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate, and will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not create a contract or guarantee of employment for any period of time as you will remain subject to disciplinary or other performance measures, up to and including termination, at the will of the University in accordance with existing University policy and standards for employee performance and conduct.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.