Child Life Specialist, Pediatric Emergency Department (30 Hours, Day/Evening)

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It is a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all-and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet - an integrated health care delivery system that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Child Life Specialist ensures that comprehensive services are provided to minimize the negative impact of trauma, illness, and hospitalization by addressing the emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs of patients and families throughout the healthcare experience.

• Assists patients and families in coping with illness and hospitalization.
• Comfort with diversity, an array of illnesses and diagnoses as well as cultures.
• Comfort with alldevelopmental ages ranging from infancy throughyoungadult.
• Provides developmentally appropriate preparation and education to patients and families regarding their healthcare experiences.
• Documents and maintains updated patient information about services provided.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to support a family-centered care approach to services.
• Provides individualized therapeutic interventions to assist with the support of emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs.
• Normalizes environment to reduce the impact of healthcare experiences on development and coping.
• Provides legacy and bereavement support for patients and families encountering grief as needed.
• Provides program development for the assigned clinical area.
• Maintains an appropriate, safe and supportive environment for children and families in the patient care setting.
• Participates in meetings included but not limited to; patient care rounding, unit meetings, and child life staff meeting.
• Works alongside manager and team about donations, budget for resources, and supply needs.
• Participates in volunteer and student training, support, and supervision.
• Adheres to infection control policy set forth by the institution.

EDUCATION:

• A Baccalaureate degree in child life or closely related field with 1-2 years of experience is required.
• Masters preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Completion of child life internship (600 hours) under the direct supervision of a certified child life specialist required.
• Certification as a child life specialist is required within 6 months of hire.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Preferred strong knowledge of hospital practices, procedures, and medical terminology.
• Strong interpersonal skill set with the ability to beflexible.
• Ability to prioritize, take initiative, and be self-motivated.