Child Life Specialist, Lead

at  UPMC

UPMC MERCY IS HIRING A FULL-TIME CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST, LEAD TO ASSIST OUR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS!

This position primarily works Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm with some variation in start time based on need, with no holidays and rare weekends.
This position primarily supports pediatric burn patients in the Trauma Burn Center and also any pediatric patient receiving care at Mercy.

PURPOSE:

Responsible for providing developmentally appropriate education, preparation and programming which optimizes growth and development of children, supports and maintains normal living patterns and minimizes psychosocial trauma associated with healthcare experiences. Support the strategic plan of the organization and clearly communicates the Mission, Vision and Values to the Child Life Program staff. Provide support and education to patients, families and staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assume a leadership role with hospital-related committees and projects. Develop, implement and coordinate new and existing specialty programs and teaching opportunities. Assume a leadership role with staff, promotes skills in others and orients new staff members.
• Daily supervision of the Child Life Specialists assigned to ensure optimal delivery of care, attainment of individual goals and smooth operation of the child life department. Complete the Employee Performance Reviews for the Child Life Specialists. Approves child life specialists request for PTO and approves payroll.
• Lead staff in the development, organization, provision and evaluation of Child Life programs, services, and activities designed to support patients and their families undergoing inpatient and outpatient treatment of medical conditions. Lead the Child Life Department within the framework of UPMC Children?s patient care model; patient and family centered care, to achieve UPMC Children?s mission and strategic goals. Lead the development, innovation and evolution of department services and policies to meet the needs of patients and families to improve the patient and family experience.
• Maintain contributions to the Child Life Field (e.g .Conducting Research, Community-Based Programming, Adjunct Professor, Presenting Nationally, ACLP Committee Member, Publications) Maintain a safe environment in accordance with hospital policies. Monitor child life staff’s compliance with hospital’s fire, safety, and infection control training
• Responsible for ordering and supervising the processing of all of the toys, supplies and equipment for the child life department and maintains the budget.
• Masters Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Child and Family Studies, Psychology or a related health care field.
• 5 years of experience working with children in a hospital and/or Child Life setting.
• Experience with program development and/or leadership experience.
• Analytical ability necessary to formulate policies and procedures, assess staff and program needs and outcomes, organize people and materials, compile and analyze data, maintain the budget, etc.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with hospital personnel, children and families, community groups and organizations.
• Supervisory ability to organize, direct, control and evaluate the activities and performance of students, child life specialists and volunteers