Child Life Specialist (Per Diem, Days)

Miami Children’s Hospital; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Miami Children’s Hospital is seeking a Child Life Specialist to support children and families through pre/post procedural education, emotional support, and age-appropriate play. Works with the interdisciplinary team to tailor an individualized care plan and participates in onboarding with mentorship during the first year.

The role emphasizes collaboration, family-centered care, and maintaining professional standards of practice within the Child Life Council guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in child life, child development, or related field.
• Active AED certification and good standing.
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• Meets eligibility to sit for Child Life Certification examination and 600-hour internship.
• Completion of required internship and ACLP standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist child and family in adjustment to hospital, diagnosis, and treatment plan.
• Provide pre/post procedural/surgical teachings and emotional support.
• Engage in developmentally appropriate play and medical play to enhance understanding.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans.
• Mentor with leadership and Child Life team during first year of orientation.

Skills

Child Life knowledge

Family education

Developmentally appropriate play

Communication with healthcare team

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life

Job description

Job Summary

Works alongside the Child Life team to assist the child and/or family in their adjustment to hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan by providing pre/post procedural/surgical teachings, emotional support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during painful procedures, and medical play to enhance understanding. Collaborates as a member of the interdisciplinary team to develop and administer an individualized plan of care, adhering to the professional standards of practice of the Child Life Council. Mentorship with leadership and/or Child Life team will be provided during the first year for an on-going orientation to organization, unit, and department.

Job Specific Duties

• Assists the patient/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan.
• Provides pre/post procedural and surgical teachings to patients and families.
• Offers emotional support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during painful procedures, and engages in medical play to enhance patient understanding.
• Covers caseload thoroughly and prioritizes patients based on the Child Life Council's guidelines for the standard of care; plans & organizes daily routine; meets deadlines for assigned projects.
• Develops a productive work environment that incorporates volunteers into daily programming through delegating, valuing input, empowering, and providing feedback.
• Facilitates shadowing opportunities to students and/or new hire after completion of training and after a total of 6 months on designated unit.
• Establishes and maintains a healthy, balanced, and therapeutic relationship with the patient and family within the integrated healthcare system based on their needs.
• Identifies & addresses the learning needs for patients/families; identifies inhibitors to learning process & readiness to learn; adjusts teaching strategies based on age, ethnic & gender issues.
• Interacts in a cooperative manner within the healthcare team to support and contribute to the shared patient/family focused care goals through professional communications techniques.
• Utilizes a clinical decision-making process and critical thinking to effectively deliver patient care with all healthcare providers across the continuum of care.
• Utilizes clinical decision making processes to achieve desired patient/family outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field
• American Heart Association AED - must maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• Meets eligibility requirements to sit for Child Life Professional Certification Examination (requires Bachelor's Degree and completion of 600-hour internship)
• Completion of Child Life internship following the Association of Child Life Professionals current standards; documentation from internship program (OR) ACLP clearance to sit for certification exam
• Complete at least 10 hours of professional development hours (PDU) per year.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of procedures, illnesses, injuries, and other related events on a nursing unit.
• Able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide appropriate care to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit