Child Life Specialist I

Phoenix Children's Hospital, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Children's Hospital, Inc. is seeking a Full-Time Child Life Specialist to provide therapeutic intervention and psychosocial developmental care for pediatric patients and their families in the Phoenix area.

The role involves planning and delivering developmentally appropriate education, coping support, and play-based interventions, while collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure family-centered care and safe, healing environments across all pediatric ages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field required.
• Master's degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field preferred.
• Completion of a 480-hour professional Child Life Internship required.
• Professional Child Life experience in a hospital environment preferred.
• Bilingual English-Spanish skills preferred.
• BLS certification through the American Heart Association (Required or within 30 days of hire).
• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential or within 18 months of hire (Required).

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient/family coping needs related to illness and hospitalization.
• Engage in professional responsibility and ongoing development as a Child Life Specialist.

Skills

Bilingual English-Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field

Master's degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field

Job description

Department: PCH-EV JV | Child Life Program

Location: Phoenix

Shift: Mon-Fri, Days, 6am-2:30pm

Category: Child Life/Teachers

Posting #: 1062792

Employee Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

This position plans and provides therapeutic intervention and appropriate psychosocial developmental care with pediatric patients and their families, assists them in coping with the stress and anxiety of health care experiences, and maximizes the growth and development of infants, children, and adolescent patients.

Position Duties

• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates patient/family coping needs related to illness and hospitalization. Provides a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for infants, children, adolescents, and families during healthcare visits.
  a. Utilizes Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics (PRAP), Emotional Safety screener, and other validated assessment tools to accurately assess development, coping, and psychosocial risk.
  b. Utilizes critical thinking skills and comprehensive assessment to develop individualized treatment plans with patient and family specific goals.
  c. Provides developmentally appropriate education and coping support to children and families regarding diagnoses, procedures and treatment in order to reduce fear and promote mastery.
  d. Facilitates developmentally appropriate therapeutic play, medical play, and self-expression activities to support coping and understanding of medical care.
  e. Advocates for patient and family needs within the healthcare team, ensuring interventions align with family centered care principles.
  d. Consults with more senior child life specialists and/or supervisors for guidance and direction on unfamiliar and/or higher acuity interventions.
  e. Actively participates in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the treatment team.
  f. Documents patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the medical record.
• Engages in activities related to professional responsibility of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
  a. Demonstrates continued growth through departmental professional development activities.
  b. Participates in continuing education sessions and remains abreast of advances in child life and programs for hospitalized children.
  c. Developing self-reflective capacity and incorporating feedback into daily practice.
  d. Participates in reflective practice (facilitated group supervision) for the first year of employment in order to continue developing clinical and professional skills.
  e. Participates in the training, supervision, and evaluation of students and volunteers as eligible.
  f. Participates in mentoring or precepting of new staff as appropriate and supports orientation for incoming team members.
  Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.

Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission

To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Vision

Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
• Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families

Values

• We place children and families at the center of all we do
• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable

Position Qualifications

Please review the following qualifications and specify whether you meet each of the requirements listed.

Education

Do you meet this requirement or have the ability to obtain it within the timeframe listed in the requirement?

1. Bachelor`s degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field. Required Yes No

2. Master`s degree in Child Life, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field. Preferred Yes No

Experience

Do you meet this requirement or have the ability to obtain it within the timeframe listed in the requirement?

1. Completion of a minimum 480-hour professional Child Life Internship, under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Required Yes No

2. Professional Child Life experience in a hospital environment. Preferred Yes No

Special Skills

Do you meet this requirement or have the ability to obtain it within the timeframe listed in the requirement?

1. Bilingual English-Spanish skills. Preferred Yes No

Additional Requirements

Do you meet this requirement or have the ability to obtain it within the timeframe listed in the requirement?

1. BLS certification through the American Heart Association OR obtain within 30 days of hire. Required Yes No

2. Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential from the Child Life Certifying Commission (CLCC), OR obtain within 18 months of hire and maintained thereafter. Required Yes No

Physical Requirements & Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential

1. Physical Requirement - Climbing -Occasionally 2. Physical Requirement - Feeling (sensing textures and temperatures) -Occasionally 3. Physical Requirement - Fine Motor Skills (pinching, gripping, etc) -Constantly 4. Physical Requirement - Hearing -Constantly 5. Physical Requirement - Pushing/pulling -Occasionally 6. Physical Requirement - Reaching -Constantly 7. Physical Requirement - Sitting -Frequently 8. Physical Requirement - Standing -Frequently 9. Physical Requirement - Stooping/crouching/kneeling/crawling -Frequently 10. Physical Requirement - Talking -Constantly 11. Physical Requirement - Tasting/smelling -Occasionally 12. Physical Requirement - Walking -Constantly 13. Physical Requirement - Near Vision -Constantly 14. Physical Requirement - Far Vision -Constantly 15. Physical Requirement - Color Discrimination -Occasionally 16. Physical Requirement - Use of keyboard, mouse and/or computer equipment -Constantly 17. Physical Requirement - Lift up to 35 pounds without assistance -Frequently 18. Physical Requirement - Lift more than 35 pounds without assistance -Occasionally 19. Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Airborne communicable diseases -Applicable 20. Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluid -Applicable 21. Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Hazardous materials exposure -Applicable 22. Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Radiation exposure -Applicable 23. Occupational Exposure/Risk Potential - Toxic or caustic chemicals -Applicable