Supervisor Child Life Specialist

Penn Medicine; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Supervisor Child Life Specialist to provide leadership and clinical expertise in pediatric care. This role combines administrative and clinical responsibilities, focusing on enhancing the psychosocial well-being of children facing medical challenges. You will lead a team of Child Life Specialists, ensuring high-quality services while fostering a supportive environment. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, this position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on young patients and their families. Join a team that values collaboration and strives to improve lives every day.

Benefits

Tuition Assistance Program

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Health and Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• Certification in Child Life (CCLS) required.
• 2+ years of experience as a child life specialist.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert child life services and assess patient needs.
• Oversee staff development and manage performance.
• Participate in committees and lead quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Child Life Certification (CCLS)

Clinical Leadership

Staff Management

Patient Care Planning

Communication Skills

Growth and Development Knowledge

Computer Literacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Child Development

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Tools

Word Processing Software

Spreadsheet Software

Job description

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical, and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position will be 16hrs/wk (0.4) of Administrative Duties and 24hrs/wk (0.6) of Clinical work. Required: Certification in Child Life (CCLS) with required Education and Experience.

The Supervisor Child Life Specialist (CLS) demonstrates competence in supporting pediatric patients and family members of patients with medical and psychosocial needs. The CLS contributes to the advancement of safe, quality child life practices. Child Life Specialists (CLS) are trained healthcare professionals who work with children and their families, helping them cope with hospitalization, surgery, illness, and disability. They focus on the psychosocial development of children under stress while encouraging coping strategies for them and their families.

The Supervisor Child Life Clinical provides leadership and supervision of staff, ensuring the delivery of safe, efficient, and age-specific child life services. They deploy strategies to meet clinical, financial, and quality goals, oversee staff development, and serve as the face of the Child Life team to providers, staff, and patients. The supervisor will also provide backup for Child Life Specialists and work shifts in the Emergency Department, Inpatient Pediatrics, and Outpatient, with flexibility for coverage as needed.

Essential Functions:

1. Clinical Work: Performs duties similar to Child Life Specialist (~60%).
2. Supervisory Duties: Performs supervisory tasks (~40%), including staffing, performance management, mentorship, and fostering a positive work environment.
3. Human Resource Management: Assists with staff selection, training, scheduling, performance evaluations, and staff development.
4. Operations Management/Support: Participates in committees, coordinates patient care planning, develops standards, and leads quality improvement initiatives.
5. Clinical Excellence: Provides expert child life services, assesses patient needs, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team.
6. Quality/Process Improvement: Develops and implements improvement plans, ensures regulatory compliance, and measures outcomes.
7. Financial Stewardship: Addresses department financial needs, collaborates on grants/donations, and manages resource utilization.

Secondary Functions:

Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licenses, Certifications, Registrations: Certification in Child Life (CCLS) with required education and experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Child Life, Psychology, Therapeutic Recreation, or a related field.
• At least two (2) years of experience as a child life specialist.
• Knowledge of growth and development of infants, children, and adolescents.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Compliance with policies, standards, and laws.
• Goal setting, prioritization, clinical leadership skills.
• Sensitivity and respect in care provision.
• Training and supervision abilities.
• Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets.

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program, including a top regional tuition assistance program. Penn Medicine employees are committed to our mission, making advances that improve lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship, military status, or any other protected status under applicable law.