The child life specialist is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating evidence based practice assessments and interventions to address the psychosocial, developmental and physiological needs of children and their families. The child life specialist implements therapeutic interventions to minimize psychological trauma to aid in coping and adjustment. The child life specialist considers the unique needs of the individual and family, such as coping style, previous experience, developmental level, culture, spirituality, family situation, and emotional state. 

Schedule: Full-time, Benefits Eligible

Location: Central Campus

The moment you walk through our doors, you feel it. When you meet our patient families, you believe it. And when you talk with anyone who works here, you want to be part of it. Welcome to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Where Passion Meets Purpose.

Here, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are integrated into our core values and practices. We are passionate about building, sustaining and evolving an inclusive and equitable environment. We are seeking individuals who live these values and want to share their experiences and efforts in support of our collective mission.

We’re 14,000 strong. And it takes every one of us to improve the lives of the kids we care for, and the kids around the world we’ll never meet. Kids who live healthier, fuller lives because of the knowledge we share. We know it takes a Collaborative Culture to deliver on our promise to provide the very best, innovative care and to foster new discoveries, made possible by the most groundbreaking research. Anywhere.

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• Utilizes psychosocial risk assessments and evidence based practice to address the psychological and physiological needs of hospitalized children and families. The psychosocial risk assessment includes the evaluation of child development, temperament, coping style, culture, spirituality, potential stressors, family needs and social supports.
• Develop, implement & evaluate evidence-based practice interventions for both group and individual settings to address the psychological and physiological needs of hospitalized children and families.
• Documents accurate, concise and objective clinical notes, integrating theory and evidence-based practice to communicate the assessment, plan, intervention(s) and evaluation for patients and families. 
• Serves as a developmental expert providing input about the impact of healthcare experiences on patients and families. May be involved in facility design, program planning, identifying resources that promote comfort, coping, healing, security and normalization.
• Creates and provides educational programs for families, students, staff and volunteers related to the needs of children, adolescents, and families in the healthcare setting.
• Empowers patients and families to effectively self-advocate as well as advocates on behalf of those who cannot do so. Promotes and supports Family Centered Care throughout NCH
• Facilitate legacy building opportunities throughout hospitalization to promote a sense of self, acknowledge milestones, and offer memory making and bereavement support.
• Promotes the use of developmentally appropriate teaching aids and techniques that are accurate and relevant, such as non-pharmacological pain management, to increase knowledge and support emotional needs.
• Use minimally threatening, developmentally supportive language describing sensory information, sequence, timing and duration of events to allow children and families to plan, rehearse and implement coping strategies.
• Empowers sibling(s) during identified stressful events, providing education, opportunities for therapeutic self- expression, and increasing family cohesion and communication regarding their sibling's hospitalization, illness/injury and end of life.
• Acquires continuing education and professional involvement in field to promote professional growth and integrate new knowledge and skills into practice for self and others.
• Advocates for and represents the spirit and mission of volunteerism to volunteers, hospital staff, and the community. Engaged in volunteer recognition efforts.
• Coordinates, trains, and supervises volunteers in assigned clinical areas. Documents communications/involvement in volunteer record.
• Collaborates in the development, implementation, supervision and evaluation of the student program to progress the field, in accordance with the ACLP standards.
• Prioritizes and organizes workload for accurate and timely outcomes.

Education:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in child life or related field, with certification eligibility in child life is required.

Certifications:

• Must have or earn professional certification (CCLS) through the ACLP within a year of hire and must be maintained throughout tenure.

Skills:

• Demonstrates proficiency in all child life competencies and standards of clinical practice as defined per The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
• Strong knowledge in child development, developmentally appropriate practices, patient assessment, family systems, and the psychosocial impact of hospitalization on children and families.

Experience:

• Experience in a pediatric health care setting including completion of a child life clinical internship, required.
• Commitment to using evidence-based practice assessments, techniques, methods, technology and programming to meet patient and family needs

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individual so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.

EOE/M/F/Disability/Vet