Child Life Specialist
Wellstar Health Systems

Overview

The Child Life Specialist is a proactive member of an interdisciplinary team of licensed and unlicensed care givers who ensure that patients, families and significant others receive individualized high quality, safe patient care. It is expected that all RN Clinical Nurses - are licensed, knowledgeable and uphold the practice of nursing as outlined by the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act and implements the Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics Standards put forth by the American Nurses Association.

• Schedule:Part Time
• Shift: Day Shift
• Level: 6+ years of experience
  

Success Profile
Find out what it takes to succeed as a Child Life Specialist:

• Collaborative
• Time Efficient
• Organized
• Critical Thinker
• Attention to Detail
• Compassionate

Benefits that Reflect Your Contributions

• Your Pay
  A compensation program designed for fair and equitable pay.
  
• Your Future
  Secure your future with plans that also include an employer match. Plans and guidance for the future.
  
• Your Wellness
  Traditional healthcare benefits combined with progressive wellness programs to help you be your best self!.
  
• Your Joy
  Special and unique benefits and programs ensuring a balanced life and a workplace culture built on trust.
  

Job Details

Facility: Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center
Overview
The Child Life Specialist Position reports directly to the Supervisor, Child Life Department

The Child Life Specialist is responsible for providing optimal developmental, psychosocial, and therapeutic support of pediatric patients & families to minimize stress and foster healthy coping. The Child Life Specialist has the knowledge and ability to assess children's emotional, psychosocial, educational, and recreational needs. Provides patient and family education, procedural preparation and support, psychosocially supportive interventions and play activities supported by evidence-based methods and theory. As an advocate for Family-Centered Care and Emotional Safety for children the CLS collaborates with the inter-disciplinary healthcare team to enhance quality of care and acts as an advocate and resource regarding issues such as child development and children's response to hospitalization. Supervises and evaluates the work of volunteers and Child Life students as needed. The Child Life Specialist will independently perform job functions and multi-task to meet the needs of the patient and family.

Responsibilities
Core Responsibilites and Essential Functions

1.Patient Care
a.Delivers Child Life services at a competent level, according to the Association of Child Life Professionals guidelines for Child Life Competencies and Standards of Clinical Practice.
b.Ability to assess the developmental, psychosocial, and emotional needs of infants, children, adolescents, and families.
c.Using both formal and informal Child Development theories and techniques provides opportunities for play and normalization for infants, children, youth, and families.
d.Establishes safe and engaging environments within the healthcare setting to promote socialization, cross-cultural connections, and exploration by pediatric patients and families.
e.Utilize psychosocial assessment in collaboration with patient, family, and multidisciplinary team to establish plan of care.
f.Implements assessment-based interventions, evaluates outcomes, and uses ongoing assessment to guide plan of care.
g.Provides developmentally appropriate psychological preparation to children and families undergoing procedures, tests, and surgery.
h.Accompany patients and families, as needed, during procedures and tests to facilitate adaptive coping.
i.Ability to utilize evidence-based comfort measures and distraction techniques to reduce negative outcomes for children and families.
j.Educate families regarding children's responses to healthcare environments and stressors. Maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
k.Responds to Child Life Consults via EMR

2.Communication
a.Utilize developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe communication styles and tactics with patients and families.
b.Document child life encounters in EMR concisely and accurately including professional patient and family assessments, interventions, and responses to child life interactions in a timely manner.
c.Make referrals to other ancillary and supportive departments as appropriate.
d.Displays a positive attitude and support Wellstar's Mission, Vision, and Values
e.Understands and demonstrates AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank-you)
f.Understands and follows existing line of communication and authority, handles communications properly.

3.Team Approach
a.Acts as an advocate for patient and families in the healthcare setting through the philosophy of Family Centered Care.
b.Collaborates as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. Communicates child life assessments/interventions, and the developmental and psychosocial needs of children and their families.
c.Actively participates in Child Life and unit specific staff meetings.
d.Provides educational in-services and training to Wellstar team members, physicians, and leaders on the Child Life profession, developmental responses to healthcare experiences, coping and supportive interventions with children and families to minimize or eliminate psychological harm.
e.Supervises child life students and volunteers as assigned by leader.

4.Operational
a.Collect and input necessary patient encounters and child life specific data points daily, monthly or requested by leader.
b.Implements infection control and safety policies and procedures, including the Cleaning of Toys and Shared Play Equipment and spaces.
c.Assists in the intake, inventory, organization and provision of donations and department resources. Assists with community group events specific to the pediatric population.

Required for All Jobs

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Qualifications
Required Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, or related field Required and

Master's Degree Preferred

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 2 years experience working as a Child Life Specialist Preferred

Completion of a 600-hour Child Life Professional Internship Required

Required Minimum Skills

Demonstrated competency of the pediatric population base including development and wellness. High

Ability to use good judgement and critical thinking to respond quickly and professionally under stressful, emergent situations.

Exemplifies superior level of customer service.

Pleasant telephone voice, excellent listening and communication skills (written, verbal, technical.)

Must be able to manage time appropriately and work independently with minimal supervision

Demonstrates knowledge of and practices within parameters outlined by the Association of Child Life Professionals. High

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

Certified Child Life Specialis Required

Basic Life Support Required

BLS - Instructor Required

BLS - Provisional Required

Additional Licenses and Certifications

Child Life Professional Certification. Preferred

CCLS must be obtained within 6 months of hire and maintained thereafter. Required

Share the opportunity

Mission, Vision & Values
At a time when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly, Wellstar remains committed to exceeding patients' and team members' expectations, while transforming healthcare delivery.

Our Mission
To enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.

Our Vision
Deliver worldclass health care to every person, every time.

Our Values

• 
  We serve with compassion
  
  
• 
  We pursue excellence
  
  
• 
  We honor every voice
  
  

This job has expired.