Child Life Specialist (General Med/Short Stay unit)

Nemours is seeking a Child Life Specialist, Inpatient to join our Nemours Children’s Hospital team in Wilmington, DE. This is a day shift position, 40 hours per week, with a Tuesday through Saturday schedule.

The Child Life Specialist provides direct assessment and clinical interventions to patients and families in alignment with all Child Life Competencies set forth by the Association of Child Life Professionals and are credentialed by the CLCC (Child Life Certification Commission). Child Life Specialists support the delivery of safe, competent child life practice grounded in evidenced based practice. Child Life Specialists ensure that interventions are equitable and comprehensive, supporting children and families during times of health, illness and trauma.

Essential Functions

1. Demonstrate entry level through emerging expertise in ACLP clinical competency knowledge areas through observation and supervision
2. Demonstrate outstanding communication skills (verbal and written) and effectively navigate fast paced, demanding environments while maintaining high level of customer service.
3. Hold strong competence in child life philosophy, ensuring alignment with departmental mission and vision.
4. Serve as an interdisciplinary expert in the psychosocial care and development of children of all ages while individualizing care for each patient.
5. Collaborate and serve as a department liaison with other departments or groups when applicable (Volunteer Department, Security, Creative Arts, identified community partners).
6. Supports the department and clinical leadership team as staff development, continuous improvement, and program development is implemented.
7. Actively promote a department culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion and represent all ages and abilities.
8. Serve as a representative of the department on unit based committees, articulating the therapeutic and clinical nature of the work done by department staff. Representation on hospital projects with approval by department leadership.
9. Remain up to date and current with all departmental education and Nemours mandatory requirements.
10. Maintains a routine of personal and professional growth and development
11. May participate in the department’s clinical advancement program
12. May hold responsibility for a department function or organizational task (i.e. student programs, EPIC Superuser, committee chair) with departmental approval

Performance Skills

1. Demonstrates understanding and applies the Nemours Standards of Behavior
2. Accepts/gives feedback serving as a model for high performance
3. Builds and fosters professional relationships across functional groups
4. Displays expertise in normative development and champions the needs of the hospitalized child and family through a lens that accounts for personal bias
5. Schedules and prioritizes time effectively while supporting the operational needs of the department, which support the hospital’s 24/7 culture
6. Develops personal operational systems to enhance workflow
7. Sets priorities; effectively presents solutions/suggestions and uses sound, evidenced based approaches
8. Thinks pro-actively; makes decisions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred but not required
• Certified Child Life Specialist and/or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist; Certification must be obtained within two (2) exam administration period
• Must be certification eligible