Certified Child Life Specialist - Barbara Bush Children's Hospital

Description

Professional - Clinical
Req #: 34477

~ 24 Hours/week, Part-Time, Day shift ~

Active certification to practice as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is required

We are seeking to add a Child Life Specialist to our care team. MaineHealth child life services at MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital (MHBBCH) help children cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability and hospitalization. Our child life specialists are trained professionals who focus on supporting the unique psycho-social, emotional and developmental needs of each child and family.Child life specialists are part of a child's health care team. Our team also includes a child life assistant who organizes daily activities and events in the MHBBCH inpatient unit playroom.

Child life specialists collaborate with families and health care providers to help pediatric patients cope with health care experiences. Services include:

• Preparation for medical procedures or treatments using developmentally appropriate language and teaching dolls
• Providing support and distraction during medical procedures
• Introducing and supporting effective coping strategies to assist with medical experiences

MaineHealth believes in the importance of play in a child's development. Our child life specialists provide developmentally-appropriate opportunities for play and expressive activities. Play in the health care setting can include:

• Diversional and recreational activities to help normalize the hospital environment and provide entertainment and distraction
• Therapeutic play to facilitate self-expression, promote coping and support the achievement of health care goals
• Medical play to promote coping and mastery of health care experiences

Summary

The Child Life Specialist role is responsible for planning and implementing a therapeutic program for the psychosocial needs of patients and their families that assesses and supports a child's understanding of healthcare experiences, emotional support, pain and/or anxiety management, socialization, developmental needs, coping styles, and family/parent/sibling support.

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Education: Bachelor's Degree in Child Life or related field required. Master's Degree preferred.
2. License/Certifications: Certified Child Life Specialist from the Association of Child Life Professionals required or earned within one year of hire.
3. Experience: One year of Child Life experience preferred.
4. Additional Skills/Requirements Required: N/A
5. Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred: N/A

Additional Information

If you have questions about this role, please contact sarah.evan@mainehealth.org