***Eligible for Sign-On Bonus***

 

Come work at Oregon's #1 ranked hospital!

 

OHSU is more than Oregon's only comprehensive academic health center. It’s an entire community of people dedicated to a single cause. Each of us are here to improve the health and well-being of people in Oregon, and beyond. Our core values of quality, service, transparency and diversity are essential in what we do, but ultimately important because of why we are here. We are here to serve. We are here to innovate. We are here to lead. We are looking forward to the dynamic impact you will make by joining OHSU.

 

This is a weekend day position that will provide support in DCH inpatient setting and outpatient as needed. The Child Life Specialist will support hospitalized pediatric patients with acute and chronic illnesses to promote their healthy growth and development, reduce anxiety of hospitalization, increase coping and emotional adjustment to medical setting. Children of adult patients may also be supported, dependent on consults and assessment.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Maintains and supports the philosophy of family centered care by helping the patients and families cope with the hospital experience.
• Assesses and documents the emotional and psychosocial developmental needs, action and follow-up plan written in the patient’s record
• Promotes coping with the hospital experience through expression of feelings in developmentally age appropriate, therapeutic activities.
• Provides preoperative teaching, post op support and pre-op tours.
• Provides emotional support to patient and family during medical/nursing procedures.
• Provides child development expertise in the development of educational material for patients and families.
• Participates in care conferences held to assess patient needs and receives suggestions for intervention from other care conference members.
• Identifies needs of all children incorporating developmental level, mobility, chronicity of illness and psychosocial factors to facilitate activities fostering mastery of healthcare experiences.
• Adapts play materials to meet individual needs.
• Explains at the child’s level of understanding, the sequence, nature, and reason for medical procedures and routines; serves as a supportive non-medical person during medical procedures.
• Promotes positive guest relations with the staff, patients, volunteers and visitors
• Assists in training and supervision of volunteers to promote positive interactions for patients and families with volunteers.
• Provides emotional, intellectual and social support for siblings of patient.
• Provides grief support for families

Promotes the Child Life professional and program through education and role modeling.

• Participates in associations related to Child Life and maintains knowledge on current trends in Child Life.
• Shares child development knowledge and communication skills with staff and providers as opportunities arise.
• Orients patient care staff, volunteers and students to the needs of hospitalized children and adolescents.
• Acts as a resource person for staff in identifying patient and family needs under stress and crisis.
• Participates as a member on an organizational, multidisciplinary committee as possible
• Role models professional competence and respectful communications.
• Commits to teamwork in the Child Life Program through positive communication and collaboration.
• Assists in preparation and dissemination of information representing the hospital and Child Life Program to community groups, organizations and the news media.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintains necessary medical play supplies and playrooms in good working order.
• Accepts donations brought to DCH.
• Maintains a supply of books/pamphlets for grief support, general information regarding hospitalization of children and other materials as patient needs dictate.
• Processes donations including donor relations, organization, storage and/or distribution of donations.
• Uses fiscal stewardship in requesting and ordering program materials.
• Maintains accurate pager status, answers calls and emails promptly.
• Supports DCH Foundation special events and requests as requested.
• Coordinates and attends Child Life Program special events and/or entertainment activities for patients and families. 

• Bachelor's degree in a Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Recreational Therapy, Special Education, or a closely related field and completion of a minimum of 480 hours in a Child Life internship.
  • Child Life Certification within one year of hire date.
• Preference will be given to applicants with hospital experience or training, Child Life Specialist certification, and proficiency in Spanish.
• Expertise in child Life skills and practices. 
• Competent in computer functions, such as e-charting
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

• Master’s degree in related field
• 2 years’ experience as a Child Life Specialist in a pediatric acute hospital
• Successful OHSU Language Service Competency exam: Spanish Language

Working Conditions:

• Standing, sitting for up to 2 hours or more, bending, reaching overhead, stooping, climbing stairs, on hands and knees at times working with ped patients.   
• Able to use a keyboard for an extended amount of time as well as rapid mental/hand/eye coordination.

Physical Demands and Equipment Usage:

• Able to lift 20 lbs as well as patient lifting up to 20 lbs, lifting, pushing overhead, moving carts and carrying items that weigh 20 lbs.
• Able to stand in place for 2 hours; able to be on feet active for up to 4 hours consecutively.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.


As an organization devoted to the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond, OHSU requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.