Shriners Children’s is a family that respects, supports, and values each other. We are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience defines us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.

Shriners Children’s-Portland is seeking an on-call Child Life Specialist to join our team!

The Child Life Specialist is responsible in providing optimal developmental and psychosocial support to children, adolescents, and their families throughout the health care setting. Support is offered to children from infancy through adolescence. The program promotes interventions that support the developmental, emotional, social, and creative needs of children within the hospital through providing supportive interventions and advocacy related to the psychosocial needs of children and families. The Child Life Specialist utilizes clinical interventions to minimize distress associated with healthcare experiences and to promote resiliency. The Child Life Specialist will participate in a team approach, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient and family-centered care, and to foster positive hospital-community relations. Has depth of knowledge in child development (birth - 21), family systems theories, the impact of stress and trauma on children, and non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate distress.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide on-going opportunities for play, diversional activities, self-expression, and interaction with other hospitalized patients (individual and group) ages 0-21.
• Provide pre-operative preparation for surgery, and offer procedural preparation and support for tests and medical procedures.
• Communicate and collaborate closely with fellow Child Life team regarding patient needs and plan of care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary rounding to review upcoming patient admissions, and patient and family needs. Collaborate and problem solve plan of care.
• In collaboration with Volunteer Services, assist with training and supporting volunteers. Provide support as needed to ancillary supports such as pet therapy and music therapy.
• Triage and provide Child Life assessment and interventions based on the unique developmental needs of each patient and their family stressors. Assist with adjustment to illness/injury and/or hospitalization, through providing education, tools, and rehearsal of coping strategies.
• Offer pre-operative tours and phone consults for patients and families prior to scheduled surgery and procedures.
• Provide bereavement support to patients and families during hospitalization.
• Provide consultation to the health care team regarding the developmental needs of pediatric patients to promote adjustment to hospitalization and treatment.
• Provide in-services to interdisciplinary team on child development, the impact of illness, injury, and hospitalization on children and families, and standards of excellence in pediatric care.
• Assist in providing families with information regarding their children’s understanding of illness, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.
• Document clinical assessments, interventions, evaluations and plans in EMR system. Document child life statistics to track services data.
• Respond to Child Life orders and referrals in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy in acceptance of toy donations.
• Communicate and collaborate with community organizations that assist the Child Life program with resources for patients and families.
• Advocate for the developmental needs of patients and families in all areas of the healthcare environment (space planning, management of activity spaces).
• Represent Child Life program in Shriners on-site committees as needed.
• Assist with ordering/stocking/inventory and other administrative duties for Child Life department.
• Participate in on-going decisions and initiatives about program’s direction and focus. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Demonstrate knowledge in child developmental theories, the psychosocial effects of hospitalization on children/families, and the psychosocial needs of children from birth through adolescence.   
• Knowledge of family-centered care, the patient-care approach, and trauma-informed care.
• Skills in observational assessment and interaction with patients/families using the theories of human growth and development, therapeutic play, and emotionally supportive interventions with patients and families under stress.
• Technology skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.
• Knowledge in medical terminology is preferred.
• Experience with electronic medical records and e-charting.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills, effective time and resource management, and promote a team approach.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field

Certification/Licensure

Professional Certified Child Life Specialist, via ACLP

Current BLS certification

Experience

Two years of employment as a Certified Child Life Specialist working in a hospital setting

Other

Current full vaccination status required