Senior Child Life Specialist - Full Time

**Overview**

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian _Health_ we help our patients live better, healthier lives - and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It's also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Sr Child Life Specialist implements the child life therapies/creative arts therapies providing a safe and nurturing environment where children and adolescents can enrich coping skills, address psychosocial needs, and increase understanding of issues related to medical experiences.

**Responsibilities**

A day in the life of a Senior Child Life Specialist at Hackensack Meridian _Health_ includes:

1. Assesses psychosocial and developmental needs of children and adolescents with chronic, acute disorders and/or life threatening conditions.

2. Counsels family members regarding issues related to child's development and ability to cope with their hospitalization, illness and/or anticipated death.

3. Provides ongoing emotional support for children and adolescents during identified stress points.

4. Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age. Culture, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.) This process includes communicating with the patient, parent and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).

5. Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational Competencies.

6. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.

7. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

**Qualifications**

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Master's degree (or enrollment in a Master's program) in creative arts therapy, child psychology, special education, occupational therapy, social work, or the equivalent in experience.

2. Previous training with a pediatric population.

3. Minimum 2 years utilizing Creative Arts Therapy/Childlife serves with children/adolescent in a medical setting.

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

5. Proficient computer skills that may include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

1. Child Life Certification required for all new employees as of December 2013, or within the first 2 years of hire for all new employees as of December 2004.

Working Conditions:

Lifts a minimum of 5 lbs., pushes and pulls a minimum of 5 lbs. and stands a minimum of 0 hours a day.

If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!

**Job ID** _2024-144359_

**Department** _General Pediatrics_

**Site** _JFK Medical Center_

**Job Location** _US-NJ-Edison_

**Position Type** _Full Time with Benefits_

**Standard Hours Per Week** _40_

**Shift** _Day_

**Shift Hours** _Days_

**Weekend Work** _No Weekends Required_

**On Call Work** _No On-Call Required_

**Holiday Work** _No Holidays Required_