Child Life Assistant - Pediatrics - Full Time/Varied - Req# 2080637925

Brief Description

Job Objective:

Under the direction of the Department Director and Unit Charge Nurse, the Child Life Assistant (CLA) implements, and maintains therapeutic and diversional programs for hospitalized children on the Pediatric Unit. The Child Life Assistant may also be called upon to provide services to children on other units, on an outpatient basis, is responsible for the orientation and supervision of the senior and junior volunteers who provide assistance to the Play Therapy Program and the Pediatric Nursing staff. The CLA also assists Nursing in times of high volume and on an as needed basis via secretarial support

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Therapeutic and Diversional Programs
• Plans, implements, and maintains therapeutic and diversional programs for hospitalized children. These programs will be designed to reduce fears and anxieties, as well as assist children to understand, at their development level, what is occurring during their hospitalization course.
• Assesses and recognizes needs of children from infancy through adolescence, including those who are critically ill, and prepares appropriate course of action.
• Maintains playroom environment and supplies.
• Maintains patient records such as play therapy census, activities, and play therapy daily plan of activities.
• Organizes and prepares/presents pre-admissions program to school and community groups.
• Plans and implements community events regarding Children’s Health and Safety Initiatives.
• Utilizes leadership skills, through the orientation and direction of the junior and senior volunteers who are assigned to work in the Play Room.
• Participates in patient/family education through play, as appropriate, under the direction of the Pediatric Charge Nurse/staff RN’s.
• Observes psychosocial issues pertinent to the parental/child unit and reports any deviations from the norm to the Charge Nurse/staff RN immediately.
• Acts as a resource for staff throughout the hospital in issues relating to growth and development of children.
• Demonstrates proficiency in required age specific competencies. Participates in age specific educational and training programs.
• Follow current practices and procedures of hospital and unit pertaining to the Play Therapy Coordinator Change to “Child Life Assistant”functions.
• Coordinates and Supervises community visits/donations to the Pediatric Unit.
• Provides breastfeeding/lactation education to new mothers in support of the Baby Friendly Initiative.
• Technical
• Operates technical equipment used in the play therapy program on the Pediatric unit safely and appropriately.
• Must have the ability to use specialized equipment involved in the patient care arena such as isolettes, cribs, beds, traction, etc., so as to be able to transport or assist in ambulation of patients.
• Must be able to perform secretarial duties during time of high volume/census.
• Environment
• Assist in maintaining a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment.
• Utilizes resources, equipment, and supplies efficiently with cost awareness.
• Reports hazardous conditions to appropriate personnel/department for correction
• Insures adherence to infection control standards as it relates to the Play Therapy Program.
• Play Therapy Program
• Plans and implements holiday theme and décor of the unit adhering to Life Safety requirements.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the Infant and Child Safety and Abduction Prevention Program.
• Leadership and Professionalism
• Adheres to standards of professionalism
• Communicate and maintains effective working relationships with staff, patients/families, physicians, other hospital personnel, and visitors.
• Functions appropriately and effectively under pressure.
• Adheres to and participates in Performance Improvement Process and Activities.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current Association for Care of Children in Hospitals (ACCH) guidelines for play therapy programs in an acute-care hospital setting.
• Knowledge of current AVH policies and procedures including legal documents pertinent to unit, use of written resources and forms and the hospital structure and resources.
  
  

Core Competencies: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:

Accountability

Action Oriented

Customer Focused

Compassion

Effective Communication

Teamwork

Ethics & Values

Integrity & Trust

Education and Experience:

Education

• Associates Degree in Early Child Life preferred.
• Adheres to hospital and unit educational requirements.
• Demonstrates knowledge and participates in educational activities and attends 75% of staff meetings.
• Demonstrates adherence to current unit and hospital safety and security programs.
• Maintains current certifications and education required.
• Successfully completes written and practical competencies.
• Participates on unit or hospital-based committees.
  
  

Experience

• Experience in Early Childhood Education; development of educational and daily age appropriate activities
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Certified Lactation Educator/IBCLC Certification within 6 months of hire.
  
  

AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness
• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
• Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate JCAHO requirements
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
• Display a willingness to work as a team player
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its requirements; complies with duty to report behavior standard; demonstrates understanding of purpose for a Compliance hotline and the importance of seeking guidance from a supervisor or the Compliance Officer when in doubt regarding a possible compliance issue
• Ability to follow the Code of Business Conduct (Standards of Business Ethics and Integrity)
  
  

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Requirements

Education

• Adheres to hospital and unit educational requirements.
• Demonstrates knowledge and participates in educational activities and attends 75% of staff meetings.
• Demonstrates adherence to current unit and hospital safety and security programs.
• Maintains current certifications and education required.
• Successfully completes written and practical competencies.
• Participates on unit or hospital-based committees.
  
  

Experience

• Experience in Early Childhood Education; development of educational and daily age-appropriate activities
  
  

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Certified Lactation Educator/IBCLC Certification within 6 months of hire.