"Child Life Specialist"

Scope of Position

The Child Life Specialist in Cancer Support Services provides full provision of psychosocial child life interventions to pediatric patients and families undergoing oncology treatment at The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. The position acts a liaison between physicians, referring and internal hospital healthcare teams and families to assist optimal adjustment and coping through needed cancer care. This position will collaborate with Nationwide Childrens Hospital (NCH) to ensure a seamless transition and psychosocial treatment plan for NCH pediatric patients undergoing proton radiation treatment at The James. The Child Life Specialist will also participate in program development and facilitation of identified supportive and educational programs designed to support parents and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

Position Summary

The child life specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based practice assessments and interventions to address the psychosocial, developmental, and physiological needs of children and their families. The child life specialist implements therapeutic interventions to minimize psychological trauma to aid in coping and adjustment. The child life specialist considers the unique needs of the individual and family, such as coping style, previous experience, developmental level, culture, spirituality, family situation, and emotional state. The child life specialist demonstrates proficiencies in child life standards of practice and clinical competencies, as defined by The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelors Degree required, Masters preferred, in child life or related field. Child life specialists must hold professional certification (CCLS) through the ACLP; professional certification must be maintained by child life specialists throughout their tenure.
• Previous experience in oncology and/or health care environment required. Experience in developing programming and classes; working with groups and group facilitation skills required.
• Strong knowledge in child development, developmentally appropriate practices, patient assessment, family systems and the psychosocial impact of a parent or caregivers illness and/or hospitalization on children and families.
• Demonstrates proficiency in all child life competencies and standards of clinical practice as defined per The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
• Commitment to using evidence-based practice assessments, techniques, methods, technology, and programming to meet patient and family needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required, extensive computer skills with windows, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and electronic mail.
• Evidence of progressively responsible experience in healthcare and proven ability to build consensus, listen and manage customer issues, and work with complex groups and systems is desired.
• Strong leadership skills, ability to take initiative and work within a team environment required.
• Program development and project management skills desired; organizational skills, excellent written and oral communication skills required; sensitivity to and understanding of the continuous and supportive care needs of the child/patient/family with cancer; critical thinking; and demonstrated experience in evaluation (desired). Must possess time management and excellent follow-up skills.

For Hire: On-going

Maintaining appropriate licensure or certification requirements; ongoing advancement of knowledge related to program areas and expertise of delivery.

Career Roadmap

FUNCTION: Health Care Administration
SUB-FUNCTION: Patient and Family Relations
CAREER BAND: Individual Contributor - Specialized
CAREER LEVEL: S2