Child Life Specialist I - San Antonio, TX

Summary

The Child Life Specialist I demonstrates advanced skill and knowledge of the therapeutic process of working with children and families; evaluating their development skills and psychosocial needs and providing them with a variety of appropriate and purposeful medical play and developmental experiences that will elevate their quality of life during the health care visit and enhance their personal development. Facilitates child life advocacy through collaboration with other health care providers. Serves as a leader in the department, the hospital, and the community. Assumes responsibility for department function in the absence of the Manager as determined by the Manager.

Responsibilities

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Assesses the patients and families to include development, family stressors, the impact of procedures, diagnosis, and health care; identifies complex needs for child life intervention.
• Observes and interprets the child/family’s response to health care and illness.
• Implements planned and purposeful play activities /interventions which are supportive of the child’s needs during the health care visit.
• Assesses and facilitates, through informal interaction and/or formal structured support groups or classes, topics such as stress & coping, adapting to illness & the health care experience, family dynamics, and other parenting-related topics.
• Documents observations of patient and family and patient response to interventions.
• Plans for, orders, and collects needed materials and equipment to support the therapeutic and educational activities within budgeted guidelines and in consultation with the Manager.
• Maintains an accurate account of patient contacts and other related productivity information.
• Serves as a resource to patients, families, and other healthcare team members regarding services available through child life and the community.
• Evaluates Child Life Programming in collaboration with the Manager.
• Supervises and guides interns, volunteers, and students in their Child Life learning experiences to include lectures, patient assignments, performance evaluation, and references, with direction from the Manager.
• Serves as a mentor for CCLS I and II working with complex patient situations.
• Provides formal and informal staff development programs and serves as a resource for other members of the health care team.
• Develop educational tools and bulletin boards to promote the education of families.
• Actively participates in hospital, corporate, and /or community committees.
• In collaboration with the Manager, serves as a leader helping the department continuously strive for excellence.
• Takes a leadership role in resolving problems in collaboration with the Manager and other departments.
• Promotes effective communication and team building that is respectful and supports the dignity and self-worth of patients, families, and the healthcare team.
• Supports the Manager in the management of the Department.
• Demonstrates competence to perform assigned patient care responsibilities in a manner that meets the population-specific and developmental needs of patients served by the department.
• Appropriately adapts assigned patient care assessment, treatment, and/or care methods to accommodate the unique physical, psychosocial, cultural, age-specific and other developmental needs of each patient served.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must have knowledge of growth and development, patient/family reactions to hospitalization, and coping strategies.
• Must possess interpersonal skills and communicate effectively.
• Must have a working knowledge of educational development.
• Must understand hospital policies and medical terminology/procedures.

Job Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or a related field is required
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred
• Under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist, must have completed a 600-hour child life internship
• Bilingual – English/Spanish is preferred

Experience

• Previous experience working with children is required
• Previous experience with therapeutic use of play materials/activities is required
• 1 year of experience is preferred

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Must obtain and maintain Child Life Certification within 1 year of hire
• BLS certification is required

In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.

Work Schedule:

8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday

Work Type:

Full Time