• Child Life Specialist, Associate

    UPMC (Pittsburgh, PA)


    Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is hiring a full time Child Life Specialist to work at the main hospital in Lawrenceville, PA.

     

    Provide developmentally appropriate education and programming to optimize children's growth, support normal living patterns, and minimize psychosocial trauma associated with healthcare. Possess knowledge of child development and the psychosocial effects of hospitalization, while demonstrating clinical competence in problem-solving and priority setting.

    Responsibilities:

    + Supervise and assess Child Life Assistants; assist in training and supervising students and volunteers.

    + Communicate developmentally appropriate explanations of medical encounters to patients and families.

    + Support patients and families in understanding hospitalization and illness through preparation and debriefing.

    + Offer emotional support during medical procedures using stress point coping techniques.

    + Assess and document developmental and psychosocial needs to create individualized child life plans.

    + Maintain a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment.

    + Provide therapeutic activities to encourage emotional expression and understanding of healthcare.

    + Address death, bereavement, and loss with patients and families when appropriate.

    + Collaborate with healthcare staff to communicate patient needs and development issues.

    + Refer patients and families to appropriate support services as needed.

    + Advocate for Family-Centered Care, helping patients and families transition between home and hospital environments.

    + Bachelor's degree in 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 required. 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

    + 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