JOB SUMMARY

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The Child Life Specialist will work with pediatric patients and family members to give emotional, social and developmental support, and to add to the quality of care throughout the challenges of illness or injury, including end of life and bereavement.

\n\nESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE\nWorks to give psychosocial care and as an advocate for pediatric patients to ensure they are receiving medical care under the most optimal and positive circumstances.\nProvides therapeutic medical play and preparation sessions with patients and families that effectively facilitate a solid knowledge of medical procedures and appropriate coping strategies.\nProvides therapeutic opportunities and encounters that facilitate a patient's expression and knowledge of feelings associated with medical experiences, illness and/or handicaps.\nProvides emotional support to families and patients through a variety of interventions that promote acceptance of, and coping with, illness and medical encounters. Participates in planning safe, appropriate developmentally supportive environments for patients and families in a professional way.\nProvides age and developmentally appropriate activities that effectively promote the cognitive and emotional growth of patients.\nFunctions as an effective and contributing member of multidisciplinary teams to further improve the medical experience of patients and families. Communicates any relevant observations on patients to other members of the health care team in formal written (charting) and verbal formats. Provides orientation and teaching of appropriate concepts of the field of Child Life to volunteers, medical and nursing students as the opportunities arise.\nCoordinates and plans special events for patients (i.e., birthday parties, celebrity visitors, etc.), as needed.\n\n

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

\n\nPossesses expansive knowledge of child development, child life theory and evidence-based practice, and childhood trauma and grief and therapeutic interventions.\nDemonstrates exceptional verbal and non-verbal communication skills including; developmentally-appropriate verbiage, facial expressions, effective listening, emotional regulation, empathy, social awareness, relationship management, self-awareness, affective matching and presentation skills.\nDisplays cultural expertise and is respectful of patients, families and medical staff with diverse spiritual, ethnic, language, educational and socio-economic differences.\nPossesses effective time-management and prioritization skills for all child life tasks and responsibilities as well as comfort and confidence working with minimal supervision.\nProactively seeks out opportunities to give education to medical staff about child life services.\nAdvocates for psychosocial well-being of children. Manages the intense emotional stress inherent when working with children and families experiencing serious illness or injury, end-of-life, death and bereavement.\nPossesses excellent documentation skills with appropriate verbiage, punctuation, spelling and professional tone.\nCert Child Life Specialist (CCLS) OR obtain certification within 3 months of hire.\n\n

BENEFITS

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Our competitive benefits package includes the following

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Our benefits are designed to help you live well no matter where you are on your journey. For full details on coverage and eligibility, visit the Baylor Scott & White Benefits Hub to explore our offerings, which may include: 

\n\nImmediate eligibility for health and welfare benefits\n401(k) savings plan with dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%\nTuition Reimbursement\nPTO accrual beginning Day 1\n\n

Note: Benefits may vary based on position type and/or level

QUALIFICATIONS

\n\nEDUCATION - Bachelor's\nEXPERIENCE - Less than 1 Year of Experience\nCERTIFICATION/LICENSE/REGISTRATION -  Basic Life Support (BLS): BLS or BLS within 30 days of hire or transfer.
 Cert Child Life Specialist (CCLS): Cert Child Life Specialist (CCLS) OR obtain certification within 1 year of hire.

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