Child Life Specialist - Full Time - Bascom Palmer Eye Institute - Miami, FL
University of Miami
Application
Details
Posted: 14-Nov-24
Location: Miami, Florida
Type: Full Time
Sector:
Hospital, Public and Private
Preferred Education:
4 Year Degree
Internal Number: R100070788
Sign -On Bonus: $7,500
The Certified Child Life Specialist facilitates the design and implementation of pediatric programs, therapies, and activities among young patients. Additionally, the incumbent supports and nurtures children and their families through the emotional and physical aspects of hospitalization. Moreover, the Child Life Specialist works with families to assist in caring for childhood hospitalizations or disabilities, and monitors child development to ensure normal progression. The Child Life Specialist also provides in-depth care for the more urgent cases. The child Life Specialist reports to the Executive Director Social Services.
Formulates and revises child life patient care plans to develop appropriate strategies for child life care in conjunction with other health team members.
Helps young patients and their families cope with medical conditions and the worries of being hospitalized.
Provides developmental, educational, and therapeutic interventions for children and families under stress.
Supports children through difficult medical circumstances and strives to provide some sense of normalcy.
Maintains apprised of each child’s condition and treatment regimen to keep their families informed.
Develops, implements, and evaluates child life care plans and programs to encourage optimum growth and development of children and adolescents, and facilitate functional family interactions.
Maintains an age-appropriate supply of therapeutic play materials and evaluates equipment and supply needs.
Provides interdisciplinary in-service education on child development and the impact of illness, injury, and healthcare on patients and their families.
Supports growth and development while recognizing family strengths and individuality and respecting different methods of coping.
Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
Core Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Certification and Licensing:
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:
Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
Commitment to the University’s core values.
Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.
Proficiency in computer software (i.e. Microsoft Office).
DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM
Department Specific Functions
Provide a comprehensive depiction of the pediatric surgery process from registration through recovery.
Utilize dolls or toys to explain staff roles.
Identify a comfortable, private space for conversations with families, especially during emotional breakdowns.
Offer snacks and games in pediatric waiting areas.
Provide visual aids of children walking through a clinic visit or surgery
Provide tour and help facilitate clinic visits and the surgery process.
Serve as liaison to perioperative and anesthesia team.
Advocate for autistic children, especially if they do not respond to visual cues.
Provides age-appropriate therapeutic assessment and interventions Establish therapeutic relationship with parents to alleviate anxiety and training to understand a child’s disability.
Provide training to staff on how to interact with and accommodate autistic children, those with emotional disorders or multiple sensory disabilities.
Develop medical play for low vision/visually impaired children.
Assist with referrals for mental health services for parents, patients, and siblings.
Provides timely documentation and reporting.
Department Specific Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required, Masters’ degree preferred
The mission of the University of Miami is to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service. A vibrant and diverse academic and healthcare community, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Health System ("UHealth") have rapidly progressed to become one of the nation’s top research universities and academic medical centers in the nation.
The University comprises 12 schools and colleges serving undergraduate and graduate students in more than 350 majors and programs. Visit welcome.miami.edu/about-um to learn more about our points of pride.
The University ranks No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges list and ranked No. 49 in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is ranked the #1 eye hospital in the USA and offers some of the nation's premiere eye doctors to treat every eye condition for adults. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer, part of the Miller School of Medicine, received the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation in 2019.
The University of Miami and UHealth have also ranked among the Forbes Best Employers and Best Employers for Women on several o...ccasions, most recently in 2022.
Transforming lives
With more than 17,000 faculty and staff, the University strives for excellence, and is driven by a powerful mission to transform and impact the lives of its students, patients, members of the community, and people across the globe.
The University is committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to add value. Through values of Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity, and Teamwork (DIRECCT) the U community works together to create an environment driven by purpose, excellence, community, and service.
About | University of Miami
The University of Miami is one of America's top research universities located in one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world.