Child Life Specialist -ED

The Child Life Specialist in the Pediatric Emergency Department focuses on care of children with a wide range of illnesses, conditions and injuries as well as children of acutely ill adults. In consultation with the health care team the Child Life Specialist enables children, adolescents and their families to maintain optimum development, realize normal living patterns, minimize psychological trauma and maximize adjustment as they adapt to changes in health, hospitalization and life situations. Through developmentally appropriate preparation, education, therapeutic play, and other intervention strategies, the pediatric population is provided with opportunities for increased understanding of medical experiences, learning coping strategies, opportunities for emotional expression, for family/ sibling involvement and for peer interaction.

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life Studies or Masters in Child Life Pediatric and Psychosocial care

• Child Life Certification upon hire or obtained within one year of hire

• Minimum of one (1) year experience, within the last three (3) years, as a Child Life Specialist in an acute, tertiary care setting

• Demonstrated clinical expertise in assessments, planning and interventions for children, adolescents and their families

• Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to provide interventions on an urgent basis

• Demonstrated organization, problem-solving and conflict management skills

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work within an interdisciplinary team

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced changing environment

• Demonstrated ability to provide formal and informal education to health care team regarding the Child Life role, the psychosocial needs of children/adolescents related to care management

• Demonstrated understanding the role of community supports for the child/adolescent and family

• Participates in ongoing professional development