Child Life Specialist–Emergency Department

Here, it’s different. Come join us.

Children’s Hospital Colorado has defined and delivered pediatric healthcare excellence for more than 100 years.

Here, the nation’s brightest nurses, physicians, scientists, researchers, therapists, and care providers are creating the future of child health. With an optimist’s outlook, a trailblazing spirit, and a celebrated history, we’re making new strides every day.

We’ve been Magnet-designated four times by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and are consistently recognized among the nation’s top 10 pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

As a national leader in pediatric care, we serve children and families from all over the nation. Our System of Care includes four pediatric hospitals, 11 specialty care centers, 1,300+ outreach clinics and more than 10,000 healthcare professionals representing the full spectrum of pediatric care specialties.

Here, we know it takes all of us, every role, to deliver the best possible care to each child and family we treat.

That’s why we build our teams toward a foundation of equity in access, advancement, and opportunity. We know teams of individuals with different identities and backgrounds can nurture creativity and innovation. We know we can see, treat, and heal children better when our team reflects the diversity of our patient population. We strive to attract and retain diverse talent because we know a truly inclusive and equitable workforce will help us one day realize our most basic calling: to heal every child who comes through our doors.

A career at Children’s Colorado will challenge you, inspire you, and motivate you to make a difference in the life of a child. Here, it’s different.

Qualified external applicants are eligible for up to a $2,500 sign-on bonus for full time positions

Department: Anschutz Child Life
Hours per week: 40, eligible for benefits
Shift:

wk1: M, Tu, Fr 12p-12:30a; Sat 2p-12:30a

wk2: Sun2p-12:30a, W, Thu 12p-12:30a

The Child Life (CL) Specialist works in health care and community settings to address the psychosocial, emotional and family concerns that accompany the illness and injury of children, adolescents and young adults. The CL Specialist utilizes developmentally appropriate information, procedure support, emotional processing, play, self-expression and empowerment to improve the coping and adjustment of patients and families. The CL Specialist collaborates with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to advocate for/ensure that developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, family-centered care is being provided to patients and families. In addition, the CL Specialist takes an active role in developing and maintaining resources, planning and facilitating special events and providing educational opportunities throughout Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) and the community.

POPULATION SPECIFIC CARE

• Neonate – <30 days< li>
• Infancy – >30 days to 1yr
• Toddlers – >1yr to 3yrs
• Pre-Schoolers – >3yrs to 5yrs
• School age – >5yrs to 13yrs
• Adolescent – >13yrs to 18yrs
• Adult – >18yrs to 65yrs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the functions which the employee may be expected to perform.

• Provides, develops, and implements child life services that provide basic support for end of life, new diagnosis, and traumatic experiences for patients and families.
• Helps patients, families and communities cope with the social, emotional and psychological impact of illness, injury and medical care.
• Provides effective and timely clinical services including, but not limited to, assessing the psychosocial risk level of patients.
• Consistently meets departmental productivity requirements.
• Assesses coping responses and the needs of children/adolescents and families related to healthcare experiences.
• Communicates appropriate information to members of the healthcare team to promote an understanding of the unique psychosocial/emotional needs of the child/adolescent and to advise on the plan of care.
• Creates opportunities which strengthen the patient’s self-esteem, independence, and understanding of the medical care and diagnosis.
• Facilitates basic interventions which allow children/adolescents to express feelings, process difficult events, and explore positive coping skills.
• Practices and promotes patient/family-centered care.
• Utilizes up-to-date and appropriate resources for patients, families and the community.
• Utilizes best practice and/or evidenced-based practice to ensure high level of care.
• Provides education to healthcare staff, patients and families regarding the scope of child life services, the impact of health care on development, providing developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe medical care, and professional boundaries.
• Provides psychological preparation and procedure support to children/adolescents undergoing medical procedures or surgeries to improve coping and understanding.
• Participates in departmental committees and projects as assigned.

SCOPE AND LEVEL

• Guidelines: Guidelines are generally numerous, well established, and directly applicable to the work assignment. Work assignment and desired results are explained by general oral or written instructions.
• Complexity: Duties assigned are generally repetitive and restricted in scope but may be of substantial intricacy. Employee primarily applies standardized practices.
• Decision Making: Decisions or recommendations on non-standardized situations are limited to relating organizational policies to specific cases. Brings non-routine issues to supervisor. Problems that are not covered by guidelines or are without precedent are taken up with the supervisor.
• Communications: Contacts with the public or employees where explanatory or interpretive information is exchanged, gathered, or presented and some degree of discretion and judgment are required within the parameters of the job function.
• Supervision Received: Under normal supervision, within a standardized work situation, the employee performs duties common to the line of work without close supervision or detailed instruction. Work product is subject to continual review.

• EDUCATION – Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related fields.
• EXPERIENCE – Successful completion of a child life internship.
• CERTIFICATION(S) – Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).

Do you want more information on the Child Life Specialist career path?

What is a Child Life Specialist? Click here to learn more: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/child-life/

How do I apply for a Child Life Internship? Click here to learn more: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/child-life/internships/

Ability to Perform Essential Functions of the Job

• Audio-Visual: Depth Perception: Good
• Audio-Visual: Hearing: Good
• Audio-Visual: Near Vision: Good

Work Environment

• Exposure: Exposure to blood/body fluid: Regular/Frequent.
• Exposure: Exposure to cold/heat: Occasional.
• Exposure: Exposure to infectious diseases: Occasional.
• Exposure: Exposure to dampness: Occasional.
• Mental and Emotional Requirements: Makes decisions under pressure.
• Mental and Emotional Requirements: Manages stress appropriately.
• Mental and Emotional Requirements: Works with others effectively.

It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Be aware that none of the questions are intended to imply illegal preferences or discrimination based on non-job-related information.

Salary Information

Annual Salary Range (Based on 40 hours worked per week): $45,348.87 to $68,023.30
Hourly Salary Range: $21.80 to $32.70
Benefits Information

As a Children’s Hospital Colorado team member, you will receive a competitive pay and benefits package designed to take care of your needs that includes base pay, incentives, paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, company provided life and disability insurance, 403b employer match (retirement savings), and a robust wellness program.