Join the Cleveland Clinic team, where you will work alongside passionate caregivers and provide patient-first healthcare. At Cleveland Clinic, you will work alongside passionate and dedicated caregivers, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.Â
As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our interdisciplinary team, child life team and other patients/families. The child life role allows caregivers to provide empathy, support and help patients build coping skills to take with them for future experiences.Â
Working in this ever-changing field, your primary duties will include but are not limited to:Â Â
• Assessing the developmental, social, emotional and physical needs of children and youth whose caregivers are hospitalized. Â
• Documenting the patients’ developmental level, emotional state and utilizing procedures using assessment techniques throughout the hospital stay. Â
• Assisting patients and families with techniques for relaxation, decreasing stress and more during testing procedures. Â
• Providing diversional activities in the playroom, activity room and beside. Â
• Providing education and information for parental understanding of hospital system and resources. Â
The ideal future caregiver is someone who:Â Â
• Works well in a close-knit, teambuilding environment. Â
• Can build therapeutic relationships quickly with patients.Â
• Provides empathetic and compassionate care in a patient-centered environment. Â
• Has excellent communication skills. Â
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking to learn and grow within their career. Caregivers in this department professionally develop through group education opportunities and can attend national child-life conferences. The work culture in this department is positive and communication is clear between all team members. You will be supported by leadership and encouraged in your professional development.
At Cleveland Clinic, we know what matters most. That's why we treat our caregivers as if they are our own family, and we are always creating ways to be there for you. Here, you'll find that we offer: resources to learn and grow, a fulfilling career for everyone, and comprehensive benefits that invest in your health, your physical and mental well-being and your future. When you join Cleveland Clinic, you'll be part of a supportive caregiver family that will be united in shared values and purpose to fulfill our promise of being the best place to receive care and the best place to work in healthcare.Â
Responsibilities:
- Assesses the developmental, social and physical needs of an assigned pediatric population and provides appropriate interventions, such as preparations and therapeutic play.
- Assesses and documents patient's developmental level, emotional state, utilizes hospitalization and procedures using informal assessment techniques throughout the hospital stay.
- Provides education, preparation and therapeutic intervention for medical events to help children and families cope based on developmental and emotional level.
- Assists patients and families with relaxation techniques to decrease stress, increase coping skills, and cooperation during tests and procedures.
- Provides diversional activities in the playroom/activity room and bedside based on individual capabilities and needs.
- Provides education and information to enhance parental understanding of hospital system and resources.
- Participates in psychosocial, interdisciplinary and/or departmental team meetings and communicate developmental and psychosocial needs of children.
- Organizes and manages special events, special guests, support groups and other regularly scheduled events.
- Participates in the orientation, direction and development of Children's Hospital volunteers.
- Supervises Practicum/Internship students in the capacity of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
- Manages play materials, supplies and equipment for playrooms by assuming responsibility for its cleanliness and storage; maintains inventory of both donated and purchased goods.
- Represents the Child Life program in appropriate Children Hospital's committees.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education:
- Minimum of Bachelor's degree in child life or child development related field.
Certifications:
- Must have completed an approved Child Life Internship, minimum of 480 hours, under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
- Child life specialists must have or earn professional certification (CCLS) through the Child Life Council within a year of appointment and maintain certification throughout their employment.
- Must sit for exam at least annually until certification obtained.
- An extension may be granted by Child Life Manager under appropriate circumstances.
- Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) certification must be obtained within one year of hire.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of two years and 4000 hours of professional Child Life clinical experience in a hospital setting preferred.
Physical Requirements:
- Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patient, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.
- Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time.
- Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
- Requires working under stressful conditions and irregular hours. Exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.
- Medium Work – Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required for procedures.
Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.
Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster
Cleveland Clinic Health System is pleased to be an equal employment employer: Women / Minorities / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities
The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our tobacco free and drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substance and nicotine. All new caregivers must clear a nicotine test within their 90-day new hire period. Candidates for employment who are impacted by Cleveland Clinic Health System’s Smoking Policy will be permitted to reapply for open positions after one year.
Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.