Location: John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital
Salary: Competitive
Job Title Department
Child Life Specialist Emergency Services Nursing
This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.
Job Summary
The Child Life Specialist is responsible for the design and implementation of pediatric programs, therapies, and activities among young patients. Works with families to assist in caring for childhood hospitalizations or disabilities and will provide psychosocial support to children and families during inpatient hospitalization. The Child Life Specialist will monitor a child's development to ensure normal progression.
Typical Duties
- Provides psychosocial support, and activities developmentally appropriate activities to support normal growth and development and to assess and meet the child's psychosocial needs during inpatient hospitalization.
- Considers the needs of siblings or other children who may also be affected by a child's inpatient hospitalization and health circumstances.
- Supports continued growth and development for the child through group and individual programming creating a positive environment for children, families, and the community.
- Creates an activity plan for each child using basic principles of family-centered care. Implements individual interventions and activities based on an assessment of a child's development, coping style, diagnosis, and psychosocial supports.
- Offers opportunities to play, learn and interact with others in an emotionally and physically safe environment to reduce stress, increase adaptive coping, and enhance developmental integrity.
- Identifies resources as necessary for developmental intervention, activities, coping, education and family support.
- Communicates with members of the health care team to provide optimal care of patients and families.
- Advocates for and addresses the psychosocial, developmental and cultural needs of the child and family throughout the continuum of care.
- Participates in the orientation, training, and mentoring of students and volunteers in appropriate developmental play.
- Maintains and orders equipment and supplies.
- Participates in the development and implementation of goals, and quality improvement projects.
- Evaluates and develops services and makes recommendations to improve program outcomes.
- Collects, analyzes, and records data to maintain quality statistics.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (Must provide Official Transcripts at time of Interview)
- Two (2) years of social service experience in a child life setting
- Current Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) Certification through Association of Child Life Professionals (Must provide proof at time of Interview)
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in child development, child and family development, psychology or family studies
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in child development, child and family development or related field
- Experience working in a healthcare setting
- Bilingual
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
- Knowledge of coping styles, child/family learning styles and needs based on developmental level, emotional state, cultural and religious practices.
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development
- Ability to think pro-actively, act creatively and take initiative appropriately.
- Ability to communicate effectively, work as a member of a team and adapt to the changing health care environment.
- Ability to conduct oneself in an ethical and professional manner
- Ability to focus on innovative approaches to psychosocial care
- Ability to work within a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team and autonomously
Physical and Environmental Demands
This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.
For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, "Typical Duties" are essential job functions.
VETERAN PREFERENCE
PLEASE READ
When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service
To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:
- Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
- Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
- Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable
OR
- A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.
If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference
VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.
BENEFITS PACKAGE
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Basic Term Life Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation Program
- Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
- You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:
*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents bust be presented at time of interview.
*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.
COOK COUNTY HEALTH & HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER