Child Life Specialist

Provides psychosocial and development-based assessments and support to children of all ages and their families. Plans and provides emotionally and developmentally appropriate experiences to promote effective coping with health care and continued cognitive and emotional growth for infants, children, and adolescents.

• Promotes Carilion Clinic's Culture of Excellence and quality service through team work, respectful communication, maintenance of a professional environment, partnership with those we serve, and anticipation of patient/customer needs.
• Assesses child/family psychosocial and developmental strengths and risks, plans goals, implements indicated interventions, and evaluates the accuracy of the assessment and effectiveness of the plan and interventions. Documents plan of care and communicates to appropriate caregivers.
• Collaborates with medical and nursing staff to provide opportunities for the child/family to increase understanding of medical procedures, to express feelings, and to promote mastery and coping. Provides emotional and bereavement support to children and families.
• Organizes, prioritizes, directs, supervises and evaluates the psychosocial care delivered by various levels of staff.
• Provides educational seminars and in-services for hospital staff and other health care professionals to enhance their understanding of the unique needs of children and their families.
• Actively participates in planning a safe and supportive environment for children and families.
• Accountable for budgetary aspects of programs which includes; supplies and costs associated with staff support.
• Responsible for helping with the transition of patients and families from different units and communicating with the designated child life specialist for that area about their needs.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Education, Special Education, Family Studies or related field, and completion of a 480 hour child life internship under a Certified Child Life Specialist. Masters degree preferred.

Experience: At least 1-2 years of on the job experience in an acute setting within a child life program.

Licensure, certification, and/or registration: Certified Child Life Specialist required within 1 year of hire.AHA BLS-HCP required within 6 months hire.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Must be able to assess patient/family psychosocial and developmental level and strengths and risks; plan goals, implement interventions and evaluate effectiveness. Must also have excellent communication skills, service excellence commitment and organizational skills.

This is Carilion Clinic ...

An organization where innovation happens, collaboration is expected and ideas are valued. A not-for-profit, mission-driven health system built on progress and partnerships. A courageous team that is always learning, never discouraged and forever curious.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., you will find a robust system of award winning hospitals, Level 1 and 3 trauma centers, Level 3 NICU, Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosciences, multi-specialty physician practices, and The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.

Carilion is where you can make your own path, make new discoveries and, most importantly, make a difference. Here, in a place where the air is clean, people are kind and life is good. Make your tomorrow with us.