DefinitionUnder direction, coordinates, and directs the day-to-day operations of Child Life Services; plans, evaluates, develops, and implements a therapeutic program; provides psychologically and developmentally appropriate interventions to ensure cognitive and emotional growth.
Distinguishing CharacteristicsThe Child Life Specialist classification is distinguished from the Recreation Therapist classification series in that the Recreation Therapist series provides recreation-based treatment programs to help patients adjust to their disability and integrate into the community, whereas the Child Life Specialist provides social, emotional, and developmental support to pediatric patients and their families throughout hospitalization, illness, disability, and treatments.
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
- Assesses the emotional and therapeutic needs of assigned pediatric patients and families to determine the support and therapeutic play interactions needed during the medical experience.
- Formulates and revises a plan of interaction to develop appropriate strategies for child life care in conjunction with other health team members based on assessment of patient and family; documents assessments and all interactions in medical record charts.
- Engages and energizes children and families by coordinating special events, entertainment, activities, and donations related to assigned areas.
- Evaluates child life services by collecting information used to monitor performance improvement and developing and completing performance improvement projects.
- Maintains a safe environment, including activity/storage area related to assigned unit/clinic to ensure patient safety.
- Maintains age-appropriate supply of therapeutic play materials (e.g., arts, crafts, games, books); evaluates the need for equipment and supplies.
- Provides parental and sibling education and support regarding effects of hospitalization, tests, other medical procedures, and/or illness.
- Facilitates social interactions between patients and families to foster parent-to-parent, peer support, school re-entry and normal social development.
- Provides supportive relationships, emotional support, information, and role modeling and uses developmentally appropriate methods, including pre-operative teaching for patients and families to prepare them for treatments and procedures.
- Accompanies pediatric patients and families to medical procedures, applying educational and divisional coping techniques.
- Provides wound care distraction as needed.
- Provides grief and loss support to patients and families.
- Provides therapeutic child life care, including developmentally and age-appropriate play/recreational activities and teaching effective coping procedures for assigned patients in individual and group settings, consistent with developmental needs.
- Functions as a contributing member of the health care team; collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to advocate for patient and family needs.
- Provides clinical supervision to therapy interns, students, and volunteers; ensures that clinical performance evaluations are completed on assigned services.
- Assumes responsibility for own professional development and practice.
- May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required.
- Performs other related duties, as required.
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through the possession of a Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year full-time experience as a certified Child Life Specialist. Possession of a Master’s Degree in Child Life or closely related field may substitute for (1) year of required experience as a certified Child Life Specialist.
Special Requirements
- Possession of a valid Child Life Specialist Certification, at the time of appointment, and maintain the certification for the duration of employment in this classification.
- Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
- *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.
Knowledge of:
- Child Life assessments and interventions appropriate to the age and developmental level of the patients and families served.
- Theory and practice of mental and physical rehabilitation.
- Basic human anatomy and physiology.
- Medical terminology.
- Pathologies and injuries that result in physical impairment; basic principles, methods, and theory of the practice of Recreation Therapy.
- Business aspects of therapy services, such as utilization management, charging practices and regulatory compliance.
- Principles of clinical supervision and clinical instruction.
- Regulatory practice requirements.
- English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Common computer systems and applications.
Ability to:
- Evaluate patients' social, emotional and developmental needs to plan therapeutic educational and recreational programs.
- Lead therapy interns, students and volunteers.
- Instruct and provide consultation to therapists and other team members in designated clinical specialties.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.
- Prepare clear and concise documentation and reports.
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to advocate for patient and family needs.
- Recognize change and report and record pertinent information.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures, patients and their families, staff, and health professionals.
- Develop and maintain cooperative interrelationships with individuals and groups.
- Understand and interpret physicians' orders.
- Use computer systems and applications.
Physical Requirements:
- Sitting, standing, and/or walking for extended periods of time.
- Frequent movements including but not limited to bending, kneeling, reaching overhead, etc.
- Lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds.
- Pulling and pushing large carts.
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