Description

A Child Life Specialist, Associate is responsible for providing developmentally appropriate education, preparation and programming which optimizes growth and development of children, supports and maintains normal living patterns and minimizes psychosocial trauma associated with healthcare experiences.  Child Life Specialists possess a theoretical knowledge base of normal child development and the psychosocial effects of hospitalization and illness on children and families.  You must demonstrate competence in clinical skills, problem solving and priority setting.

Starting base rate for an Associate CLS is $20.00/hour

Responsibilities:

• Advocate for patient and Family Centered Care. 
• Establish rapport and orients the patient and family to the hospital environment. 
• Support the child's relationship with parents, siblings and peers. 
• Help the patient and family make the transition from home to hospital and from hospital to home.
• Collect, assess and record information regarding the patient and/or family to identify developmental level and psychosocial needs. 
• Develop, update and implement individualized child life plans for priority patients. 
• Document in the electronic chart in compliance with the child life policy and standards.
• Communicate developmentally appropriate explanations regarding medical encounters to patients and families. 
• Assist patients and parents in understanding the issues of hospitalization and illness through preparation and post-procedural debriefing. 
• Provide emotional support to patients during medical procedures through stress point coping techniques.
• Maintain an environment which is safe, supportive and developmentally based. 
• Provide therapeutic activities for supervised individuals and patient groups, which encourage expression of feelings and promote a sense of mastery and understanding of health care experiences.
• Cooperatively communicate patient needs and normal child development issues with health care staff through documentation, rounds, patient care conferences and meetings. 
• Refer patients and families to appropriate services and supporting programs as needed.
• Discuss death, bereavement, loss and related issues with patients, siblings and families, when appropriate.
• Support, direct and assess the performances of the Child Life Assistants. 
• Is active in the training and supervision of students and volunteers.
• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required level of education: Bachelor's degree.
• Area of education: Child Life, Child Development, Child and Family Studies, Psychology or a related health care major.
• Completion of a 480 hour Child Life Internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
  • This reflects eligibility requirements to sit for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination with the Child Life Council, Inc., Bethesda, MD

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Cert Child Life Counsel * Certification required within 1 year of hire
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Certified Child Life Counselor
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Total Rewards

More than just competitive pay and benefits, UPMC’s Total Rewards package cares for you in all areas of life — because we believe that you’re at your best when receiving the support you need: professional, personal, financial, and more.

Our Values

At UPMC, we’re driven by shared values that guide our work and keep us accountable to one another. Our Values of Quality & Safety, Dignity & Respect, Caring & Listening, Responsibility & Integrity, Excellence & Innovation play a vital role in creating a cohesive, positive experience for our employees, patients, health plan members, and community. Ready to join us? Apply today.