Child Life Assistant
Child Life Assistant
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Job Description
The Child Life Program at Stead Family Childrens Hospital is seeking a Child Life Assistant. The primary responsibilities of this position are planning and implementing activities that support and promote normal growth and development of children training and oversight of volunteers and maintaining community ties that enhance program delivery. This role provides a safe environment in play areas and when working at the patient bedside; the patient /family interactions may happen in inpatient settings ambulatory care areas and other play areas throughout the medical campus. This position includes weekdays evenings and rotating weekends.
Provides services within the mission and vision of UI Stead Family Childrens Hospital and UI Health Care
Implements the integration of knowledge into unit/department operation.
Continues personal and professional development to enhance job-related competency
Acts in accordance with all hospital and departmental policies (confidentiality dress code work space issues etc.)
Complies with all regulatory accreditation standards and job/department specific competencies (Joint Commission CMS Patients Rights etc.).
Manages time effectively by completing work within scheduled time adhering to break times arriving for work on time and assisting others as available
Manages resources effectively including supplies equipment and personal time.
Takes responsibility to maintain and enhance job related competencies.
Other duties as assigned
Community Outreach/Special Visitors:
Serves as a community liaison and hospital contact for special interest groups i.e. college athletics Starlight Foundation etc. as assigned
Responds to donor requests triages donations and completes documentation to ensure acknowledgement
Coordination of Play Spaces and Supplies
Organizes and maintains toys supplies and play spaces; identifies needed and replacement materials
Prepares and maintains a safe inviting and developmentally responsive playroom environment that engages a variety of ages interests and abilities
Regularly inspects toys materials and play area for safety infection control and appropriateness for the population; maintains knowledge of toy recalls and removes identified toys and materials
Adheres to and enacts the toy cleaning policy and procedures
Tracks play materials inventory
Professional Development Standards and Service Excellence
Pursues opportunities for professional growth in both learning and teaching roles
Seeks out and participates in professional educational opportunities
Provides the highest quality service to families volunteers students and intradepartmental staff
Builds positive relationships with children and families while adhering to therapeutic and professional boundaries
Represents child life services by participating in special projects task forces and committees as assigned to enhance service delivery to patients and families
Program Development Implementation and Maintenance
Promotes normal developmental abilities of children
Provides a variety of developmentally supportive play opportunities for patient and siblings including structured and planned activities in activity spaces and at the bedside
Understands and practices family-centered care in all aspects of work responsibilities
Organizes plans and promotes group play in the playrooms with attention to the specific needs of the participating children
Communicates observations regarding childrens behaviors and emotional state to other child life staff and appropriate team members
Models healthy relationships with children for families and staff and encourages positive parent/child interactions
Schedules organizes and facilitates special events ensuring that the visit is appropriate for patients families and staff in collaboration with child life colleagues and other care providers
Documents patient participation in the electronic medical record and complies with child life documentation standards
When overseeing Family Activity Rooms follows protocols policies and guidelines specific to this family care area
Provides direction and day to day functional oversight of child life student employees including but not limited to scheduling of hourly student employees.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Functions as an active contributing member of the Child Life team Childrens and Womens Nursing Services division UI Stead Family Childrens Hospital and UI Health Care
Assists with management of office supply inventory as designated
Triages phone calls and referrals for consultation to appropriate staff
Collaborates effectively with other child life staff and actively supports the evolution and advancement of the department
Articulates the importance and benefits of normal developmental opportunities for patients and siblings to families and staff; advocates for patient involvement in these activities and interactions
Completes mandatory education in a timely manner
Collaborates with Volunteer Services and the Child Life Specialists to provide a systematic training program for volunteers; provides orientation and oversight for volunteers
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- State of Iowa Paraeducators certificate or 2 years equivalent post-secondary coursework in education psychology or related area of study is required.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of behavior strategies.
- Knowledge of disabilities.
- Knowledge of principles of child development
- Knowledge of abuse reporting mandates.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Minimum 1 year work experience with children and families.
- Experience working with a range of youth ages from childhood to adolescence
- Experience with childrens group program planning and development.
- Associates or Bachelors degree in child development or related field preferred.
- Current certification in CPR
- Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and education/credential candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
- In order to be considered for an interview applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a Relevant File to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
- For additional questions please contact Lydia Messer at
Benefits Highlights
- Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health dental life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
- TheUniversity of Iowa offers a generous benefits package including paid vacation and paid sick leave. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at:Benefits University Human Resources - The University of Iowa ()
Employment Type
Full Time
