Child Life Specialist, Children's Hospital, FT, Variable

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.    

Clinical:

• Delivers Child Life Services, including therapeutic play, education, procedural preparation, and coping support tailored to each patient’s developmental and emotional needs.

• Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans to promote optimal growth, development, and psychosocial well-being.

• Uses developmentally appropriate, medically accurate information to prepare children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures, providing psychological preparation to reduce fear, pain, and anxiety.

• Facilitates medical play to help children explore, express feelings, and gain mastery over their hospital experience.

• Collaborates with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to create and integrate family-centered goals of care.

• Offers education to patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatments, and the impact of hospitalization to minimize trauma and developmental disruption.

• Provides culturally sensitive emotional support to patients and families, respecting individual values and beliefs.

• Maintains accurate, timely patient care documentation in compliance with hospital policies.

• Participates in care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings, contributing to treatment planning and discussion.

• Trains, guides, and provides feedback to volunteers and students involved in child life services.

Professional:

• Demonstrates clinical competency in direct patient care and successfully meets 100% of the core Child Life competencies established by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

• Actively pursues ongoing professional growth through mentorship, continuing education, and/or other learning opportunities.

• Participates in in-service trainings and continuing education programs, and shares key updates or new knowledge with the department through staff in- services or presentations.

Operational:

• Acts as a financial steward by implementing cost-effective programming, adhering to budget guidelines, and supporting fundraising efforts through donor engagement.

• Contributes to departmental operations and professional growth by participating in projects, initiatives, and committees.

• Collaborates with team members to achieve departmental goals and performance targets.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, or related field of study.

• Experience - Completion (or nearing completion) of Child Life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist following ACLP standards

In Lieu Of

• NA

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Child Life Certification (Must obtain within one year of employment)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of infant, child and adolescent growth and development

• Demonstrated experience working with infants, children and adolescents in healthcare or related settings

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meets deadlines

• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a positive, team-oriented environment.

• Goal-oriented with the capacity to set priorities and achieve results while maintaining high professional standards