Description

Expected Starting Salary: 22.79 - 27.77

SUBFUNCTION DEFINITION: Involves providing support in a variety of forms, to help children minimize the anxiety of health challenges and / or hospitalization, increase understanding and coping skills, and continue their typical growth and development. Includes the promotion of effective coping through play, self-expression activities, creative art and music therapies and age-appropriate medical preparation and education. Partners with providers, nurses, social workers and others to meet the unique emotional, developmental and cultural needs of each child and family.

SCOPE: To meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families by providing education; preparation; procedural support; and play for the Division of Child Life and Integrative Care of a Medical Center dedicated to the care of infants; children; adolescents; and young adults.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patient Care

Performs psychosocial assessments of patients and families functioning to identify strengths, concerns, and needs in order to set short and/or long-term goals. Facilitates family involvement. Supports patients and families in adjusting to injury, diagnosis, chronic illness or disability. Identifies and advocates for the needs of patients and families within the healthcare system and/or community. Evaluates effectiveness of child life interventions, and alters interventions based on results. Reports suspicions of abuse and neglect as mandated for investigation. Implements appropriate intervention strategies and style for individual patients/families to accomplish goals. Reviews and revises goals as appropriate. Conducts post-procedural assessment and/or intervention. Promotes and supports pain management. Documents services and/or interventions provided. Participates in patient care conferences and/or rounds. Follows up on referrals in a timely manner.

• Professional Responsibility

Supports and participates in process improvement activities. Seeks opportunities for involvement in evidence-based care/professional inquiry and maintains designated knowledge level. Actively contributes to the advancement of professional tenets within the division, hospital, and/or community. Orients and supervises volunteers. Contributes to education and training of students and other professionals. Proactively shares knowledge with peers. Remains current in professional field. Acquires continuing education to increase professional growth. Integrates new knowledge and skills into practice.

• Departmental Responsibility

Submit requests for supplies according to departmental guidelines. Ensures that work areas are organized, safe and professional in appearance for employees, patients and families. Identifies potential problems, clears barriers, assumes ownership of problems, and solves problems at the lowest possible level demonstrating accountability of self and others. Manages time and priorities effectively. Effectively manages workload and resources to provide a fair, consistent and acceptable volume of work. Completes special assignments and projects while maintaining regular workflow. Strives to increase personal productivity by identifying and implementing new work procedures. Proactively contributes to a positive work environment.

• Data Management

Completes required daily/weekly exchange of information and documentation according to division guidelines to ensure quality patient care and staff productivity.

• Teamwork

Engages in multidisciplinary team process, actively participating in effective problem solving, collegial learning and pursuit of best practice. Deals with conflicts directly, constructively and tactfully. Promotes an atmosphere of cooperation, respect and trust within the team. Responsive to day-to-day needs of co-workers and division.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 0 - 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline
• Completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified CLS
• CCLS within one year of hire

Cincinnati Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and treasures Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families (EEO/AA).