Child Life Specialist Behavioral Health & Wellness Center

Child Life Specialist requires successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists requiredprior to hire. Learn how to become certified: Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Childrens Nebraska is a world-class facility providing the full spectrum of pediatric behavioral and mental health services for children and their families. Located on our main hospital campus to provide a convenient continuum of care the center will offer a crisis assessment center behavioral health urgent care 40 single-occupancy inpatient beds a partial hospitalization program and outpatient services all guided by our innovative trauma-informed model of care.

A Brief Overview
Provide a therapeutic educational and recreational program for patients. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities which promote normal growth and development in conjunction with supporting the psycho-social needs of the patients and their families throughout the course of their testing/treatment or hospitalization.

Essential Functions

• Provides preparation and support to patients undergoing medical procedures and treatments through pre-procedural teaching and assesses coping skills and adjustment to hospitalization surgery and/or chronic illness on a daily basis.
• Uses formal and informal assessment techniques to accurately determine patients developmental and emotional states.
• Uses developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aids and techniques to increase knowledge and support emotional needs.
• Advocates for the needs of patients and families by communicating important information with the appropriate health care professionals.
• Writes concise objective and accurate clinical notes documenting pertinent information in a timely manner.
• Facilitates interaction with patients siblings and parents.
• Recognizes and addresses the importance of therapeutic play in facilitating childs mastery of and coping with the health care experience.
• Incorporates familys involvement into their childs care identifies family needs and views.
• Communicates with patients and families using theories of human growth and development family systems and cultural background.
• Actively advocates patient needs to medical team members and ancillary services. Seeks appropriate/alternative approaches to care which may minimize the impact of the healthcare experience.
• Communicates concisely with other professionals integrating theory and evidence based practice to obtain and share pertinent information.
• Demonstrates respect for the viewpoints of other professionals.
• Coordinates child life services with families and professionals.
• Promotes child life within own department/area using creative ways and approaches with staff and families.
• Coordinates and participates in educational programs that explain Child Life Services.
• Actively participates in the New Employee Orientation of new hires.
• Coordinates school re-entry programs or support groups as needed.
• Actively involved in providing a safe learning environment for our intern and practicum students.
• Participates in the volunteer program and assists in modifying the process as needed.
• Coordinates outreach programs pre-op preparation education and/or support groups.
• Recognizes verbal and nonverbal cues and adapts teaching accordingly.
• Assesses knowledge misconceptions previous experiences and unique socio- cultural learning needs.
• Provides educational information to various groups within the hospital and community when relevant.
• Maintains play area in a safe orderly and child friendly condition and ensures that toys are appropriately cleaned and kept in good condition.
• Follows Infection Control and safety procedures and policies.
• Maintains playroom in a safe and orderly manner.
• Toys are maintained and cleaned using an approved cleaner.
• Assures availability of toys for various age ranges and developmental levels.
• Maintains current knowledge regarding development trends and techniques in Child Life.
• Incorporates Child Life trends and best practices into care delivery.
• Identifies resources and opportunities for professional development.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life Child Development Psychology or related field required

Experience Qualifications

• Successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required
• Clinical internship is a minimum of 600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist required
• Previous experience in a hospital setting as a Child Life Specialist preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Requires experience with children generally acquired through field experience and a Child Life internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Professionals
• Possesses interpersonal skills which enable the individual to establish professional rapport with patients and families and possesses assertive skills necessary to advocate effectively for patients and families.

Licenses and Certifications

• CCLS - Certified Child Life Specialist within two years of hire date required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association within 180 Days required

Childrens is the very best for kids and the very best for your career! At Childrens we put YOU first so together we can improve the life of every child!

Childrens is an equal opportunity employer embracing and valuing the unique strengths and differences of people. We cultivate an inclusive environment of respect and trust where we all belong. We do not discriminate based on race ethnicity age gender identity religion disability veteran status or any other protected characteristic.

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