Location: Columbia, MO
Shift : PRN, Variable hours with rotating weekends and some call.
Department : Child Life
Salary Range : $25.00/hr
ABOUT THE JOB
MU Health Care is looking for a passionate and dedicated Child Life Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional skills in child and family development, with a keen ability to create individualized treatment plans that foster normal growth and development in hospitalized children. We seek someone with outstanding leadership and communication abilities, who can professionally articulate patient needs and collaborate effectively with our multidisciplinary team. Your enthusiasm for using developmentally appropriate methods to prepare children and their families for medical procedures, along with your commitment to maintaining a safe, therapeutic play environment, will be highly valued. If you are proactive in your professional development, exhibit a positive attitude, and can inspire students and volunteers, we want you to be a part of our dynamic team.
ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE
MU Health Care is a growing academic health system in mid-Missouri comprised of multiple hospitals - including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital - and over 90 specialty clinics located throughout the region.
As an MU Health Care employee, you'll be part of an exceptional team committed to our mission of saving and improving lives. Our core values of inclusion, respect, service, discovery, responsibility and excellence foster a collaborative work environment where you can grow your career.
Learn more about MU Health Care.
Learn more about living in Columbia, MO.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
- * Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
- * Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays
- * Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
- * Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
- * Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more
- * See a comprehensive list of benefits here.
DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION
Child & Family Development Skills: Develop individual treatment plans based on an assessment of the child's development, temperament, coping style, medical plan and available social supports. Provide interventions/activities that support the normal growth and development of the child. Practice family-centered care by encouraging, supporting and utilizing family bonds/strengths in the care of the child.
Leadership/Communication Skills: Communicates professionally regarding patient assessment and provision of child life services to child life team and multidisciplinary team. Effectively communicates issues/concerns and ideas to child life team and coordinator.
Patient and Family Teaching/Distraction Skills: Use developmentally appropriate methods in preparing patients, sibling and family members for diagnostic and treatment procedures. Seeks out information from medical staff regarding the plan for patient procedures/diagnostic test. Follows Child Life Council standards of Clinical Practice. Provide education concerning child development, adjustment and reactions to hospitalization/diagnosis and role model appropriate parenting skills. Use developmentally appropriate distraction/coping methods during a child's identified stress points.
Playroom / Activity Room Safety and Management: Monitor and maintain play / activity area, toys, supplies and equipment to provide safe, therapeutic environment and to meet all developmental needs. Abide by infection control policy regarding cleaning of equipment and playroom visiting guidelines. Provide a safe environment for patients by being aware of all children in the room and advocating the "safe place" policy.
Professionalism/Self Development: Identifies self-learning needs and has a plan to meet them. Presents self professionally in appearance, positive attitude and uses feedback to improve in areas needed. Promotes professionalism, positive communication among child life team and staff members. Recognizes the potential for legal/ethical/risk management issues.
Student / Volunteer Supervision: Provide positive and professional supervision for child life practicum students, interns and volunteers. Provide experiences and opportunities to help students meet the goals of the practicum and internship.
Therapeutic Interventions: Provide therapeutic interventions and support during patient's identified stress points. Provide therapeutic interventions to promote self-healing, self-expression and understanding of master/control. Identify and provide crisis intervention to patients and families.
Must be a Certified Child Life Specialist or eligible to be certified and will obtain within one year of hire.
If eligible, but not yet certified, must have a Bachelor's degree and have completed a child life internship in accordance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the Child Life Council.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs.
Equal Opportunity EmployerThe University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.