As one of the nation’s leading pediatric health care systems, Nemours is committed to providing all children with their best chance to grow up healthy. We offer integrated, family-centered care to more than 300,000 children each year in our pediatric hospitals, specialty clinics and primary care practices in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nemours strives to ensure a healthier tomorrow for all children – even those who may never enter our doors – through our world-changing research, education and advocacy efforts. At Nemours, our Associates help us deliver on the promise we make to every family we have the privilege of serving: to treat their child as if they were our own. 

The Child Life Specialist provides Child Life assessment and intervention independently to assigned patient population within the guidelines designated by department and hospital policy and procedures. 

Requirements
•    Bachelor's degree
•    Certification (or Certification eligible) as a Child Life Specialist. You must meet this requirement or your application will not be considered.

Direct Patient Care Responsibilities:
•    Demonstrates proficiency in the care of all ages: pediatrics, adolescents and adults.  Completes at least 75% of Staff I Child Life competencies. Assesses patients need for therapeutic, developmental and social/recreational play and provide as appropriate.
•    Provides family/child education regarding diagnosis, treatment and the impact of hospitalization to increase understanding and minimize trauma and disruption in normal growth and development. 
•    Uses developmentally appropriate and medically accurate information to prepare children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures, as defined in the Child Life preparation protocol.  
•    Psychological preparation will be provided in such a way that knowledge is increased and emotional needs are supported.
•    Utilizes stress reduction techniques to facilitate adaptive coping during procedures and throughout hospital experience.
•    Provides medical play to allow children to explore, express, cope and gain a sense of mastery and control over their hospitalization and related fears, fantasies and concerns.
•    Extends support to family members with respect to their needs, cultural values and beliefs.
•    Completes timely documentation as required by department policy, The Joint Commission and CARF standards.
•    Attends meetings related to patient treatment and contributes to discussion as an interdisciplinary team member.
•    Attends inservices/continuing education; provides updates in the form of inservices to associates.

Indirect Patient Care Responsibilities
•    Staff Development: Assesses existing and develops new activities that promote general knowledge and professionalism within the department; participates in peer review process.
•    CQI:  Participates in program, specialty and hospital CQI.
•    Assessment and Treatment: Contributes to discipline and program committees to enhance patient care; assists in assessing current procedures and assists in developing methods of improvement related to patient care.
•    Program Development: Participate in activities to increase program use, awareness and marketing. 
•    Clinical Education: Assists in mentoring Child life students, new Child life staff, support personnel, and volunteers. 
•    Adequately and appropriately provides Child Life Tech supervision. 
•    Assists with hospital-wide student teaching; participates in student and volunteer program organization.
•    Team Work: Participates in single discipline, multidisciplinary and specialty teams.
•    Professional Development: Developing ties with professional organizations.  Provides educational inservices and experiences to the discipline/program and outside community. 

Our dedication to professionals who are dedicated to children frequently earns Nemours a spot on the list of top workplaces in the communities we serve. Our Associates enjoy comprehensive benefits, including our unique “Bridge to a Healthy Future” pediatric health plan, an integrated wellness program, opportunities for professional growth, and much more. As an equal opportunity employer, Nemours focuses on the best-qualified applicants for our openings.