Child Life Specialist-Blank Children's

UnityPoint Health; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Employee recognition program

Dental and health insurance

Paid holidays

Short‑term and long‑term disability

Pet insurance

Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Job summary

UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa seeks a Child Life Specialist to provide therapeutic interventions designed to help patients and families cope with healthcare experiences. Key responsibilities include patient assessment, maintaining a safe play area, and providing educational support to families.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in Child Life or a related field and should have completed a Child Life internship. Benefits include paid time off, health insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Completed a Child Life internship and able to sit for the certification exam.

Responsibilities

• Provides preparation and medical play opportunities for patients.
• Maintains a comfortable, clean, and safe play space.
• Is a resource for parents and staff on child development issues.
• Participates in assessing and planning patient care interventions.
• Compiles and records statistical data regarding interventions.

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 patients and families, utilizing elements of family‑centered care and serving as a resource on child development and psychosocial issues for parents and healthcare staff.

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) encouraging normal growth and development; d) encouraging a positive self‑image; e) providing 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 informal and formal education of staff, students, volunteers, patients and families. Works with volunteers and students to provide supportive programming for children. Compiles and records statistical data regarding interventions with patients and volunteer attendance. Reports any questions or concerns regarding compliance immediately. Utilizes a family‑centered approach appropriate to the age of the patients served. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability in managing human, fiscal, and material resources. Accepts responsibility for maintaining and developing personal and professional skills related to the work area. Demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer service. Integrates and demonstrates CORE values and expectations for personal and service excellence while adhering to policies and procedures of UPH‑DM. Balances team and individual responsibilities; open to others’ views; gives welcome feedback; contributes to positive team goals; and puts the success of the team above own interests. Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority. Prevents errors, accidents and infections and reports concerns. Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department by regular, reliable attendance. Reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DNV, OSHA and other regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.

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.

Benefits

• Paid time off.
• Parental leave.
• 401(k) matching.
• Employee recognition program.
• Dental and health insurance.
• Paid holidays.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Pet insurance.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Adoption assistance.