Child Life Spec I

If you are looking to make an impact on a meaningful scale, come join us as we embrace the Power of One! We strive to be an employer of choice and establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where Associates can grow their career caring for others. For over a century, we've served the health care needs of the people of Memphis and the Mid-South.

The Child Life Specialist I delivers individualized psychosocial care through therapeutic play, coping strategies, and procedural support while collaborating with healthcare teams. This role documents interventions, supports family needs, and contributes to quality improvement efforts. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.

Working at MLH means carrying the mission forward of caring for our community and impacting the lives of patients in every way through compassion, a deliberate focus on service expectations and a consistent thriving for excellence.

A Brief Overview

The Child Life Specialist I delivers individualized psychosocial care through therapeutic play, coping strategies, and procedural support while collaborating with healthcare teams. This role documents interventions, supports family needs, and contributes to quality improvement efforts. Models appropriate behavior as exemplified in MLH Mission, Vision and Values.

What You Will Do

• Assesses, develops, and implements appropriate individualized treatment plans based on a patient's development, stressors, medical care plan, and available support systems.
• Documents clinical interventions within the EMR as outlined in departmental guidelines.
• Participates in interdisciplinary healthcare teams and provides insight regarding the developmental/individual needs of the child to promote adaptation to treatment.
• Facilitates a variety of play interventions which promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery. Provides support during procedures as requested.
• Evaluates the needs of the patient's family, including siblings, and provides coping-focused interventions to meet their unique needs. Collaborates on complex caseloads and high-acuity encounters with moderate support.
• Contributes to quality improvement efforts as part of enhancing emotional safety for patients and families.
• May serve as a preceptor to students after meeting departmental preceptor guidelines.
• Performs other job functions as assigned or requested.

Education/Formal Training Requirements

Required - Bachelors Degree Child Life Preferred - Bachelors Degree Child Development

Work Experience Requirements

Required - Child life internship 0-1 years Preferred - Pediatric healthcare

Licenses and Certifications Requirements

Required - Certified Child Life Specialist - Association of Child Life Professionals Required - HEARTSAVER - American Heart Association

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of children's reactions and coping mechanisms in hospitalization and illness.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to obtain the cooperation of patients and patient families.
• Skill and ability to role model professional skills and behaviors.
• Demonstrates empathy, adaptability, and emotional awareness to support patients and families during stressful healthcare experiences.
• Demonstrates competency in performing the essentials functions of the job.
• Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family centered care.
• Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families.
• Ability to implement therapeutic play activities for individuals and group
• Ability to assess patient behavior.
• Ability to build and maintain cohesive teams.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.

Supervision Provided by this Position

There are no supervisory or lead responsibilities assigned to this job, but they may guide and assist the Child Life Interns and Volunteers.

Physical Demands

The physical activities of this position may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion. Must have good balance and coordination. The physical requirements of this position are: medium work - exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently. The Associate is required to have close visual acuity including color, depth perception, and field of vision to perform an activity, such as assessing patients, preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; or extensive reading. Exposure to patient body fluids as well as exposure to hazardous or poisonous materials.

Our Associates are passionate about what they do, the service they provide and the patients they serve. We value family, team and a Power of One culture that requires commitment to the highest standards of care and unity.

Boasting one of the Souths largest medical centers, Memphis blends a friendly community, a thriving and growing downtown, and a low cost of living. We see each day as a new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people in our community.