Child Life Specialist

Job Description

About the Company

Presbyterian Healthcare Services is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system founded in New Mexico in 1908. Its mission is to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities served. It operates nine hospitals, a statewide health plan, and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Presbyterian is the largest private employer in New Mexico, with nearly 14,000 employees, including over 1,600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.

The company’s health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide, offering Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care), and Commercial health plans. Presbyterian is committed to improving community health, evident through initiatives like hosting growers’ markets and partnering with local communities. They value employees’ differences and find strength in the diversity of their team and community. Presbyterian is an AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED employer and maintains drug-free and tobacco-free campuses.

Job Description: Child Life Specialist

Overview:
Presbyterian Healthcare Services is hiring a full-time (1.0 FTE) Child Life Specialist to join their dynamic team. This role is crucial in providing invaluable support to pediatric patients and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of illness, injury, and hospitalization. The specialist will deliver Child Life services grounded in an understanding of child development and the unique impact of medical experiences, aiming to alleviate stress and anxiety and create a comforting, empowering environment for young patients. A sign-on bonus is available for this position.

Location & Hours:
• Location: Presbyterian Hospital
• Work Hours: Varied days and hours, offering flexibility.

Responsibilities:
The Child Life Specialist plays an integral role in the healthcare team by:
• Providing child life assessment and appropriate interventions to promote optimal development and minimize the adverse effects of healthcare experiences for children and families.
• Planning and implementing therapeutic interventions and a variety of individual and group play experiences that promote development, self-expression, and mastery.
• Providing preparation and facilitating adaptive coping strategies for patients and families undergoing medical procedures and other healthcare experiences.
• Documenting within the electronic medical record as required by department guidelines and professional standards.
• Ensuring a physically and emotionally safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for patients, families, and staff.
• Educating patients, families, and staff on coping techniques, ensuring they are age-appropriate for the child’s development and emotional state.
• Functioning as an active and contributing member of multidisciplinary teams, communicating relevant observations to other healthcare team members (written and verbal).
• Co-treating and referring patients and families to multidisciplinary services and resources as needed.
• Supervising and training students and volunteers.
• Remaining well-informed of current developments in the child life profession and participating in professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and skills.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries to preserve the therapeutic relationship.
• Matching and pacing interactions according to developmental level, emotional state, family preferences, and individual needs, demonstrating respect for sociocultural diversity.
• This position requires frequent standing/walking, as well as lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring of patients.
• Demonstrating proficiency in all child life clinical competencies and standards of clinical practice as defined by the Child Life Certification Commission.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic medical record.

Qualifications:
• Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Completion of a Child Life Internship (minimum of 480-hour under the direction of a Certified Child Life Specialist).
• Current BLS certification for Healthcare Provider from the American Heart Association.
• Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or eligible for certification. CCLS must be obtained within 12 months of hire and maintained thereafter.
• Preferred:
• Master’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
• Professional involvement with the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) is highly encouraged.
• Ideal Candidate Traits:
• A passion for providing emotional and developmental support to pediatric patients and families.
• Strong interpersonal communication, teamwork, and listening skills.

Benefits:
For full-time employees, Presbyterian offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Wellness Program (rewards program with gift cards for health activities)
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Options
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Group term life insurance and other optional voluntary benefits.

Compensation:
• Maximum Offer for this position is up to USD $26.46/Hr.
• The compensation range considers factors such as experience and training, internal equity, and other business and organizational needs.