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Job Summary

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field (Required)
• Certified ChildLife Specialist required within 1 year of hire
• American Heart Association (AHA) CPR AED - must maintain active and in good standing throughout employment.
• Completion of Child Life internship following Child Life Council current standards
• Complete at least 10 hours of professional development hours (PDU) per year
• Participate in the NCHS Clinical Advancement program and expected to accrue a minimum of 5 points per year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the patient/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan.
• Provides pre/post procedural and surgical teachings to patients and families.
• Offers emotional support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during painful procedures, and engages in medical play to enhance patient understanding
• Covers caseload thoroughly and prioritizes patients based on the Child Life Council's guidelines for the standard of care; plans & organizes daily routine; meets deadlines for assigned projects.
• Develops a productive work environment that incorporates volunteers into daily programming through delegating, valuing input, empowering, and providing feedback
• Establishes and maintains a healthy, balanced, and therapeutic relationship with the patient and family within the integrated healthcare system based on their needs.
• Identifies & addresses the learning needs for patients/families; identifies inhibitors to learning process & readiness to learn; adjusts teaching strategies based on age, ethnic & gender issues.
• Interacts in a cooperative manner within the healthcare team to support and contribute to the shared patient/family focused care goals through professional communications techniques.
• Utilizes a clinical decision-making process and critical thinking to effectively deliver patient care with all healthcare providers across the continuum of care
• Utilizes clinical decision making processes to achieve desired patient/family outcomes.
• Develops a productive work environment to practicum students after achieving a minimum of 2,000 hours (approximately one year).
• Develops a productive work environment for intern students after achieving a minimum of 4,000 hours (approximately two year).
• Balances the clinical responsibilities, professional growth, and development activities through active participation in MCHS Clinical Advancement.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Master's degree preferred
• Membership and active participation within the Child Life Council are recommended.
• Knowledge of procedures, illnesses, injuries, and other related events on a nursing unit.
• Able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide appropriate care to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.