Child Life Clinical Coordinator- Full time- Washington DC
Children's National Hospital
Application
Details
Posted: 11-Apr-24
Location: Washington DC, D.C.
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Allied Health
Sector:
Health Care System
Preferred Education:
4 Year Degree
Internal Number: 230002NC
The child life clinical coordinator will provide therapeutic services and interventions to promote physical, emotional and developmental growth of patients while minimizing potential stress and trauma for patients and families. Coordinators will be responsible for clinical supervision and support of child life staff. Will be responsible for assisting departmental leadership with supervisory responsibilities and will represent child life practice at an organizational level.
Minimum Education Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field (Required) Master's Degree Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field (Preferred)
Minimum Work Experience 6 years Minimum of at least 6 years clinical experience in a complex medical setting, supervisory experience (Required)
Required Licenses and Certifications Child Life Certification (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development based on the theories of development, including but not limited to Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, and Vygotsky Knowledge of age-appropriate play and ability to utilize play as a mechanism for patient-understanding of the hospital environment and experiences Ability to assess patient’s development and response to hospital environment and provide developmentally appropriate interventions Advanced interpersonal skills with ability to communicate and collaborate with patients and families, medical professionals, hospital staff, etc. Ability to discuss medical experiences in age-appropriate, child-friendly language Understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and knowledge of medical terminology Ability to apply in-depth professional knowledge and expertise in own discipline within the broader medical field and hospital environment Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills Ability to comfortably work with internal and external customers from diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds. Ability to identify and work collaboratively with diverse teams. Ability to listen, be empathetic, motivate and follow-through, and eager to seize challenges and resolve issues Demonstrated leadership in current position, supervisory experience
Functional Accountabilities Direct Patient Care
Assesses patients’ development, temperament, coping style, and adjustment using knowledge of child development and behavior, disease/injury, treatment, healthcare stressors, cultural and family systems
Uses knowledge and resources to create developmental plan and implement appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions.
Provides therapeutic interactions and activities which offer emotional support, opportunities for continued growth and development, and diversion from the hospital experience
Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping
Uses preparation and medical play opportunities to help alleviate misconceptions and increase understanding of hospital procedures
Provides procedural support to patients in order to foster increased coping skills and evaluates effectiveness of interventions to better inform and individualize future support
Provides education and support to siblings and parents related to hospital visits, effects of hospitalization, procedures, new diagnoses, etc.
Prioritizes own caseload daily in order to meet both child and departmental needs
Participates in the weekday, weekend, and on-call rotation, as assigned
Regularly maintains patient care documentation in accordance with standards
Provides legacy building, memory making, and bereavement support to patients, siblings and families in end-of-life situations
Patient Experience
Fosters environment for patients and families to feel heard and understood, anticipates patient and family needs, and ensures needs are met.
Collaborates with child life team and other professionals to provide activities, special visitors, events, and entertainment to patients and families hospital-wide
Encourages and coordinates patients’ and families’ participation in activities and special events to support normalization and coping
Supports and chaperones special visitors to assigned areas of hospital
Assists child life team, assigned area of hospital, or department with intake and distribution of donations of toys and other comforting items
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare team in order to provide optimal care and advocate for developmentally-appropriate patient and family needs
Uses formal and informal methods of communication to share assessments, interventions, and evaluations, as appropriate
Maintains communication with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and engage in consultation regarding patient care
Provides referrals to internal or community resources for patients and families as needed
Program Development
Provides clinical supervision to practicum students through experiences, instruction, mentorship and feedback.
Provides training, supervision, and feedback, and facilitates patient interaction to volunteers.
Presents in-service trainings on role and impact of child life to departments or assigned areas, increasing understanding of importance of family-centered care
Adheres to budget set and outlined by Child Life Manager
Manages child life resources of assigned area of hospital and ensures consistent supply of resources.
Attends and participates in opportunities that complement and enhance professional development.
Professional Development
With Child Life Manager, establishes annual goals and independently works to meet those goals.
Participates as member of assigned area or department committees as deemed appropriate.
Further enhances the field of child life and understanding of the profession by supporting and participating in hospital initiatives
Develops and maintains professional skills and knowledge by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, etc.
Assumes accountability of continued professional growth and shares learned knowledge and skills with colleagues during group clinical supervision.
Maintains a willingness to learn and openness to new ideas and practices
Daily Operations
Create and maintain a climate which stimulates professional growth and development by providing personal and professional mentoring and support to all staff.
Participate in auditing/evaluation of documentation of others: identify areas for improvement
Identify, report and resolve unit/area problems/issues or conflicts with patients, families and staff, keeping manager aware of results.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards.
Participate in monthly child life leadership meetings
Responsible for scheduling unit staff in accordance with master scheduling, collaborating with staffing pattern changes, FMLA, vacancies and holidays
Supervisory and Leadership Skills
Provide clinical supervision to child life specialists to child life specialists in assigned group
Develop, evaluate, and update required departmental orientation, in services and trainings.
Monitor and ensure child life group compliance with employee based organizational requirements.
Manage; assist in coordination of large scale departmental initiatives such as LEAN, CL Month, Education and training for MD, RN or other hospital staff.
Responsible for completion of annual performance check-ins for child life specialists in assigned group under the direction of Child Life Manager
Assist in coordination of recruitment and selection process for the assigned location(s) and participates in final hiring decision.
Collaborate with child life clinical coordinators and manager to facilitate and oversee new hire orientation and onboarding process.
Participate in hospital work groups or on hospital committees to represent child life practice.
Implement staff recognition programs at the unit/program level in collaboration with leadership.
Assist the Manager in providing guidance to staff and may cover for the Manager in his/her absence.
Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is the No. 5 children’s hospital in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet® hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a non-profit, Children's National relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.