The Child Life Specialist works to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families by providing education, preparation, procedural support, and therapeutic play to reduce stress and enable pediatric patients to cope more effectively with their medical experiences. The Child Life Specialist will act as a resource for nursing staff by aiding in their understanding of the psychosocial effects of hospitalization of children and adolescents according to both their chronological age as well as their developmental level. The Child Life Specialist will be responsible for assisting families through the initial stages of the grieving process.
- Integrates into practice full consideration of the chronological age, developmental level, and the cultural diversity of the patient
- Works collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of the patient and family.
- Carries out psychosocial assessments of patients and families to identify needs, strengths, and concerns
- Based on assessment, provides appropriate interventions and education through developmentally appropriate explanations, sensory information, hands-on exploration and medical/therapeutic play
- Facilitates family involvement and supports patients and families in adjustment to illness/injury as well as hospitalization
- Promotes and supports pain management
- Provides safe, developmentally appropriate play and peer interactions to patients to aid in the normalization of the hospital environment
- Supports families through the initial stages of grief and bereavement in regards to the death of a parent, sibling, or the child's own impeding death
- Documents patient information pertaining to Child Life services provided
- As a mandated reporter, reports suspicions of child abuse and/or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services
- Assists with pediatric unit programs and events to provide activities and entertainment to patients and families through community engagement
- Develops educational resources
- Participates in training and mentoring students pursuing clinical preparation within the Child Life department.
- Directs unit volunteers
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Provides medical play and/or diversion tactics during painful procedures
- Oversees the inventory of donated supplies within Pediatrics
- Develops educational/information handouts for pediatric patients
- Manages the video game/movie inventory on pediatrics
- Manages distribution of toys and distraction tools to pediatric patients
