Child Life Specialist

Employment Type

Full Time, hours will vary

Compensation

Position starts at $25/hour may adjust with experience

Mission Statement

Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

Employment Value Proposition

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture:

• Focus on Patient Care. A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.

• Clinical Variety and Challenge. An inter-disciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities and activities.

• Family Culture. We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing the family/team atmosphere of a small organization.

• Trust in Each Other. Each employee knows that co-workers can be trusted to make the right decision for our family, patients, staff, and community.

• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service to our patients and community have yielded a reputation that fills our employees with pride.

Age Specific Responsibility

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned department. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

Summary

The Child Life Specialist is responsible for promoting a positive adjustment to the hospital environment and rehabilitation experience for pediatric patients and their families. This role includes utilizing medical and procedural play when working with pediatric patients.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Provide patient care, treatment, and services within the scope of their license, certification or registration and as required by Federal and State laws and regulations.

• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates a variety of age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate therapeutic play and diversion activities for pediatric patients. Activities may include individual, small group, and large group sessions across various times (morning, afternoon, evening, weekends), ranging from passive to active engagement.

• Provides interventions that promote coping, mastery, and emotional adjustment to medical procedures, hospitalization, disability, and separation from family and peers.

• Modifies and adapts activities and equipment to meet individual patient needs and abilities.

• Ensures patient safety during both structured and unstructured play and activity sessions.

Collaboration & Communication

• Participates daily in one of the assigned nursing report meetings (7 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.) to stay informed of patient status and care plans.

• Communicates regularly with the interdisciplinary team regarding patient goals, progress, and relevant concerns.

• Attends staff meetings, in-service trainings, and interdisciplinary team conferences as required.

Documentation & Reporting

• Document patient engagement, behavior, developmental progress, and social interaction in accordance with hospital standards.

• Complete initial assessments, team conference notes, and discharge summaries within established timelines.

Volunteer Coordination & Program Development

• Supervise and guide pediatric volunteers in collaboration with the Director of Volunteer Services and Patient Care Director.

• Lead the development and implementation of volunteer programs tailored to the needs of the Pediatric Nursing Unit.

• Collaborate with pediatric nursing and therapy staff to optimize the physical and emotional environment of the Pediatric Unit, ensuring it is age-appropriate and developmentally supportive.

Advocacy & Professional Standards

• Serve as a patient advocate, promoting the emotional well-being and rights of pediatric patients.

• Maintain strict patient confidentiality and uphold professional standards of care.

Facility & Resource Management

• Maintain child life equipment and supplies, ensuring cleanliness, safety, and readiness.

• Assist in the daily upkeep and organization of the child life activity area.

• Completes other duties as assigned.

We'll embrace all people by:

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect.

• Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.

• Growing talent and people.

• Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

• Taking action against discrimination.

• Honoring our differences and how we collaborate.

• Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for.

• Restoring hope and freedom, together

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Child Psychology, Early Childhood Education or related degree.
• Completion of a 600-hour Child Life Internship
• Current license & certification: Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC) or other approved organization.
• Possesses and maintains CPR Certification.
• Knowledge of normal growth and development of children and adolescents.
• Capability to lift, transfer, and manage patients with physical and/or cognitive impairments.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, leadership skills, and ability to relate well with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of and ability to adapt equipment/activities.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels:

• None (No specific requirements)

• Occasionally (Less than 1/3)

• Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)

• Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Occasionally

Traverse or move around work location: Frequently

Use keyboard: Occasionally

Operate or use department specific equipment: Occasionally

Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None

Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: Frequently

Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Frequently

Transport, position, and/or exert force:

Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 25 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 50 pounds: _____

Up to 75 pounds: _____

More than 100 pounds: _____

Other weight: Up to___ pounds _____

Other: _____

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@maryfreebed.com.

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.