Child Life Specialist 1-Clinical Support

**Job Description**

**Location:** Chicago, IL

**Hospital:** RUSH University Medical Center

**Department:** Child Life Services

**Work Type:** Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

**Shift:** **Shift 1**

**Work Schedule:** 8 Hr

**Summary:**

The Child Life Specialist 1 is responsible for the coordination, planning, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive therapeutic and educational programs for infants, children, adolescents and their families. The primary purpose of the program is to provide optimal developmental and psychosocially appropriate care and interventions designed to circumvent the negative psychological impact of hospitalization and illness. The Child Life programs are goal oriented and include infant stimulation, promoting socialization, providing sensory stimulation, developing coping skills, enhancing body image and awareness, increasing self-esteem, facilitating positive adjustment, fostering self-expression, maintaining autonomy, non-pharmacological pain management activities, and providing age-appropriate education about the child's illness and hospitalization. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

**Responsibilities:**

1. Assesses all infants, children, and adolescents within 48 hours of admission to a pediatric unit or receipt of a referral for patients up to 17 years old on adult units.

2. Observes, records, and reports relevant information relating to the patient as it pertains to Child Life, and works in collaboration with the family and health care team regarding the care of the patient.

3. Determines developmental, emotional, medical and familial status of patient and develops treatment goals that address emotional and developmental needs.

4. Plans, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive therapeutic intervention program for children and families. Documents in clinical record. Incorporates the Rush values of care in the delivery of patient care.

5. Prepares children, youth, and families for medical and surgical procedures, both cognitively and emotionally, through play, demonstration and/or dialogue.

6. Provides emotional support during procedures by accompanying children to the Operating Room or treatment area and remaining present during procedures to provide coaching and support.

7. Provides infant stimulation, play, and other activities that foster continued growth and development.

8. Designs and creates teaching tools that are developmentally and situationally appropriate for individual patient needs.

9. Coordinates and conducts formal and informal support programs for patients and families, including education programs.

10. Counsels individual patients and families to help them cope with the negative effects of illness and hospitalization, including bereavement.

11. Attends patient care conferences. Participates with multidisciplinary health care team in the development and implementation of specific patient management plans.

12. Advocates for the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients throughout the medical center.

13. Serves as liaison between hospital and participating schools/programs.

14. Provides orientation and ongoing Coordinates special events and programs with outside agencies as well as Community Affairs, Philanthropy and other medical center departments.

15. Identifies environmental safety hazards for children and develops corresponding preventive/protective measures. Participates in Child Life QI activities and completes departmental reports as assigned.

16. Selects, purchases, and maintains an inventory of therapeutic, educational and recreational books, toys, games, videos, electronic equipment, and other supplies as indicated. Keeps expenses within limits established by annual operating budget.

17. Accepts responsibility for development and professional practice. Participates in activities which further develop professional growth such as in-service attendance, professional organization membership, and continuing education programs.

18. Maintains professional certification

19. Other relevant duties as required.

**Other information:**

**Required Job Qualifications:**

- Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Education, Therapeutic Recreation, or Psychology.

- Current professional Child Life certification or eligible to sit for the exam at time of hire; must pass exam within six months of hire.

- Able to maintain confidentiality patient privacy.

**Physical Demands:**

- Able to lift and carry 25 lbs

**Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.**

**Position** Child Life Specialist 1-Clinical Support

**Location** US:IL:Chicago

**Req ID** 5913