Certified Child Life Specialist - Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital - Child Life Therapy - Full Time - Days

ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital is a 169-bed facility that has grown to be the region�s leading pediatric care facility. We offer a full spectrum of medical services to meet the unique needs of children from birth through adolescence. As an accredited facility by the Joint Commission, we strive to meet the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and are committed to continually improving patient care.

Highlights of our facility include a Level IIIb 72-bed unit Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that provides care for premature babies as early as 22 weeks gestation and as small as 14 oz.; the region�s largest Level II pediatric trauma center; a state-of-the-art cancer center for pediatric cancer patients; and the first dual-certified asthma program for treating both inpatient and outpatients by the Joint Commission in Ohio.

Position Summary:

The Certified Child Life Specialist will enhance the adjustment to children and families to healthcare experiences using play and a variety of therapeutic techniques. Utilize assessment/interventions to facilitate effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression as treatment goals to meet psychosocial, developmental and educational needs of hospitalized children including infant, child, adolescent patients and their families through program implementation and development. Teach coping skills including distraction and relaxation exercise to reduce the potential for negative reactions to healthcare experiences and promoting positive outcomes. Other duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Medical Procedure Prep: Prepare children cognitively and emotionally for medical procedures in a developmentally appropriate language they understand to help alleviate anxiety and stress.
• Palliative Care: Support families confronting grief and bereavement with resources, education, creative expression, memory-making activities to process feelings.
• Sibling Support: Consider sibling needs affected by illness/trauma and encourage participation.
• Therapeutic Interventions: manage physical and emotional pain associated with isolation-patients confined to their rooms- to promote effective coping through activities.
• Family-Centered Care: Encourage parent/caregiver participation in procedural and developmental support. For example, Parental Presence during Anesthesia Induction in the OR, per policy criteria.
• Special Needs: Demonstrate understanding of special needs. Implement programs to enhance abilities with parental consultation.
• Assessment: Assess and prioritize patient/family needs for Child Life intervention.Function and consult as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, integrating goals and plans to promote optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, and psychosocially sound
   

• Bachelors in related field of study: Child Life, Family Studies, Counseling, Child Development; such as allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist; Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals
• Completion of 600-hour Child Life Internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist is required 
• Must have Child Life Specialist Certification 
• Understanding of growth & development, family dynamics, learning theory, medical play, therapeutic play and activity programming. Commitments to Child & Family Life philosophies, policies and guidelines in supporting and planning programs for families of chronically ill and hospitalized children. 
• Prefer prior work experience with children in healthcare environments
• Prefer 1-3 years working in a relatable field 

The above list of accountabilities is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the positions; it should not be considered exhaustive.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, familial or marital status, genetics, or other status protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace