Child Life Specialist - Levine Children's Hospital

Must have successfully completed a Child Life Internship and either have Child Life Specilalist Certification in place or elligible/pending completion within 6 months of hire.

Child Life has been a part of Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center since 1977, and at Levine Children's Hospital since its opening in 2007. The Child Life Department has more than 44 staff members, including a Child Life manager, two Child Life lead positions, Child Life Specialists & Child Life Education Specialists and Child Life Assistants. Our Child Life team covers a broad scope of care within the Levine Children's Service Line, from Emergency Care to Transplant Programs, Clinical Trials, inpatient and outpatient care. Opportunities for leadership growth with our clinical advancement program.

Job Description

Provides information, education, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members. Promotes effective coping and play, preparation, education and self-expression activities. Provides emotional support for families and encourages optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization.

Essential Functions

• Plans, implements, and evaluates short and long term goals to support the psychosocial and developmental needs of the pediatric and neonatal patients.
• Works with the multidisciplinary team to provide education to patients and families and to formulate and implement a plan of care.
• Collaborates with appropriate departments when planning and implementing special activities and events that assist the patient and family with normalizing their hospital experience.
• Serves as a patient and family advocate through the philosophy of family centered care.
• Assists with planning, presenting and evaluating in-service education.
• Works with the Child Life Assistants and Volunteer Services to on-board and evaluate volunteers as needed.
• Provides education and supervision of student interns for the Child Life Department.
• Assists with on-boarding and mentoring of new teammates and Child Life interns.

Physical Requirements

Work requires walking, standing, silting, lifting, stooping, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to lift and support 51 pounds of weight in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies.

Education, Experience and Certifications

Bachelor's Degree in Human Growth and Development, Education, Psychology or a related field of study. Experience with completion of student placement/internship in a Child Life Program in a healthcare setting required. Current Child Life Certification required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Good organization and time management skills are required.