Child Life Specialist jobs in Middlesex, NJ

Child Life Specialist

Monmouth Medical Center

Summary:

Plans, organizes and implements all Child Life programs for infants not neonates, pediatric and adolescent patients who are hospitalized and/or seen in the outpatient setting with acute and chronic medical and surgical conditions. Performs Child Life oriented screening/assessment tools and provides preparation/therapeutic interventions, meeting the developmental, emotional, social and educational needs of all pediatric patients. Designs and carries out care plans, provide patient and family education, medical play and child specific educational inservices to hospital staff and on an ongoing basis, documents patient status. Responsible for supervision of volunteers and students. Works with infants, neonates, pediatrics, adolescent patientss and their family members. Is responsible for reporting identified safety issues such as hazardous environments (i.e. damaged floors/walls/ceiling tiles/unsecured areas) and medical errors, etc.

Requirements:

• Masters Degree with a Child Life certificate or qualified to take the exam BA/BS Degree. Area of concentration: Child Life, Child Development Education, Creative Arts Therapies, etc.
• Academic preparation at Bachelor s level with experience in Health Care setting.
• Prefer one-year experience in a Child Life Program setting.
• Coursework in Child Life, Human Development, Family Dynamics, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Therapeutic Recreation, and/or Expressive Therapies preferred.
• Clinical Internship experience preferred

Job Specific Requirements

• Assigns patient appropriately to work with volunteer/students. Gives precise direction/supervision to same regarding patients status/precautions and level of activity. Assists with orientation, provides feedback in a timely/constructive manner. Prepares evaluations; maintains records when appropriate.
• Attends at least one continuing education course per year provides follow-up inservice to appropriate professional staff. Attends all required departmental inservices. Completes required competencies. Maintains CPR certification.
• Demonstrates effective use of standardized tests/screenings and play therapy techniques when teaching/assessing child s ability to cope emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically to the stressors of hospitalization, illness, procedure/surgery. Collaborates with parents to provide clarification of hospital procedures and reinforce treatment plan.
• Maintains patient care documentation according to departmental policy, JCAHO and ASHA standards. Meets/plans with nursing daily to obtain a daily report. Acts as an advocate of child/family through meetings and daily discussion with the medical team.
• Plans treatment according to identified problems and Establishes short- and long-term goals that are observable, Measurable and with specific time frames. Implements play/ treatment plan in a developmentally appropriate, correct, safe and timely manner. Observe and monitor precautions and contraindications. Varies treatment plan as patient status changes.
• Provides direct patient care 75% of working day. Maintains a safe, orderly, clean playroom/office space. Responsible for reordering, maintaining and disinfecting, toys, supplies, etc.