Child Life Specialist
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Job Description
About the Company
Sanford Health is one of the largest and fastest-growing not-for-profit health systems in the United States. With nearly 50,000 employees, Sanford Health is dedicated to the work of health and healing across its broad footprint.
About the Job
Sanford Health is seeking a Child Life Specialist to join its team at Sanford Children’s Castle of Care in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Child Life Specialist will develop, coordinate, and implement developmentally appropriate play activities, expressive arts, and special events for pediatric patients and their families. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Human Development, or a related field, as well as a minimum of two years of experience working with children in a therapeutic setting. Certification as a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is required or must be obtained within one year of hire.
Job Responsibilities
• Develop, coordinate, and implement developmentally appropriate play activities, expressive arts, and special events for pediatric patients and their families
• Serve as the child’s advocate when collaborating with the healthcare team to determine suitable therapeutic interventions
• Utilize expert knowledge of child development, family systems theories, and the developmental effects of stress and trauma on children to establish appropriate interventions to alleviate distress
• Promote family-centered care and facilitate the strengthening of positive coping and resiliency skills within the healthcare setting
• Provide ongoing assessment of interventions used
• Provide oversight and direction for utilization of volunteers in the Child Life department
• Possess expert knowledge of medical diagnosis and procedures
• Understand special needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions
• Expertise in the use of play activities in a healthcare environment
• In-depth knowledge of research regarding children in healthcare settings
Qualifications
• Completion of 600-hour Child Life internship through an ACLP program REQUIRED
• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Human Development, or related field required
• Minimum two years of experience working with various age groups of children preferred
• Experience working with the pediatric population in a therapeutic setting desired
• Certification as a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is required or must be obtained within one year of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within six months of hire
Benefits
Sanford Health offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, benefits include:
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Work/life balance benefits
• Generous time off package
Sanford Health is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.
