Child Life Specialist (Per Diem, Weekends)

Tufts Medical Center, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 43,000; Part time

Job summary

Tufts Medical Center, Inc. is seeking a per diem Child Life Specialist to support pediatric patients and families.

This role centers on developmentally appropriate play, emotional support, and education to help children cope with illness, hospitalization, treatments and procedures within the health care team. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Life or related field, has completed a 400-hour internship, and is eligible for Child Life certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Human Development, or a related field.
• Completion of 400-hour Child Life Internship.
• Child Life certification or eligible to apply for certification.

Responsibilities

• Provides developmentally appropriate play to support growth.
• Designs interventions based on assessment of patient development and psychosocial needs.
• Uses medical play and language to prepare for interventions and treatments.
• Applies therapeutic techniques to support patients during procedures.
• Communicates patient care information in rounds and medical records.
• Offers support to parents and family members; assists siblings as needed.
• Promotes continuity of normal life events (birthdays, holidays) and education when appropriate.
• Trains and supervises Child Life students and volunteers.
• Manages supplies and records census data for interventions.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with the care team to achieve goals.

Skills

Child Life knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life

400-hour Internship

Job description

Schedule This per diem position. Ideal candidate can pick up frequent weekend shifts, and occasional weekday shifts.

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Community Health duties: Delivers training, facilitates sessions, and educates the community on a variety of clinical topics. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems.

Job Overview

This position is responsible for providing a program of developmentally appropriate play and activity, preparation and emotional support designed to help pediatrics patient and their families cope with the stress of illness or injury, hospitalization, treatments and procedures. As an integral part of the health care team, this position advocates for the needs of children and families and is a resource for other professionals.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Human Development, or a related field.
• 2. Completion of 400-hour Child Life Internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1. Child Life certification or eligible to apply for certification.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

• 1. Provides developmentally appropriate play and activities to support normal growth and development.
• 2. Designs and implements individual interventions based on assessment of a patient’s development, coping style, diagnosis and treatment, and psychosocial supports.
• 3. Uses medical play and developmentally appropriate language and teaching tools to ensure adequate preparation for medical interventions and encourage understanding and mastery of diagnosis, medical care and experiences.
• 4. Uses therapeutic/diversional techniques to support patients during treatments and procedures.
• 5. Communicates pertinent information concerning patient care at appropriate rounds, case conferences and in the medical record.
• 6. Offers support to parents and family members; uses developmentally appropriate interventions in supporting siblings.
• 7. Encourages continuity of normal life experiences by preparing birthday and holiday celebrations, arranging for educational tutoring when appropriate, and using resources to accommodate cultural needs and bridge differences.
• 8. Provides training and supervision for Child Life and child development students and volunteers.
• 9. Assists in managing supplies, cleaning and maintaining toys and equipment, and recording census and intervention data.
• 10. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment.

Physical Requirements

• 1. Works in Inpatient and/or outpatient pediatric clinical care areas.
• 2. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-25 lbs.
• 3. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• 4. Specific vision abilities apply including close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
• 5. Frequently communicates internally and externally; must be able to exchange accurate information via phone, email and/or in person.
• 6. Continuous exposure to sick patients and bodily substances. Occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• 7. Manual dexterity to type information into medical records.

Skills & Abilities

• 1. Ability to apply understanding of child growth and development and the impact that medical experiences can have on this process.
• 2. Ability to work with infants, toddlers, preschool and school age children, and adolescents in developmentally appropriate ways.
• 3. Ability to read/write and communicate in English with a demonstrated ability to show empathy and sympathy through spoken and written words.
• 4. Skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
• 5. Ability to function well in very busy situations.
• 6. Responsible and reliable.
• 7. Good organizational skills.
• 8. Demonstrates knowledge of CQI process
• 9. Understands family dynamics and works effectively within various types of family systems.
• 10. Excellent interpersonal skills.

At Tufts Medicine, we want every individual to feel valued for the skills and experience they bring. Our compensation philosophy is designed to offer fair, competitive pay that attracts, retains, and motivates highly talented individuals, while rewarding the important work you do every day. The base pay ranges reflect the minimum qualifications for the role. Individual offers are determined using a comprehensive approach that considers relevant experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity to ensure compensation is fair, consistent, and aligned with our business goals. Beyond base pay, Tufts Medicine provides a comprehensive Total Rewards package that supports your health, financial security, and career growth—one of the many ways we invest in you so you can thrive both at work and outside of it. Pay Range: $24.65 - $30.82 based on full-time equivalent Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community health care to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Healthcare, an expansive home care network and a large clinically integrated physician network, Tufts Medicine has more than 15,000 dedicated employees and caregivers. The health system came together in 2014 to leverage the experience of its member organizations and integrate their missions to together transform the ways that consumers engage with and experience their care.