2017-03-07

Psychology&Social Science

0.001 FTE, 12 Hour Rotating Shifts

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford is the heart and soul of Stanford Children’s Health. Nationally ranked and internationally recognized, our 311-bed hospital is devoted entirely to pediatrics and obstetrics. Our six centers of excellence provide comprehensive services and deep expertise in key obstetric and pediatric areas: brain & behavior, cancer, heart, pregnancy & newborn, pulmonary and transplant. We also provide an additional, wide range of services for babies, kids and pregnant moms.

Recreation Therapist/Child Life Specialist II is the career level where incumbents are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level for professional level work. The full range of duties and responsibilities common in the delivery of professional therapeutic recreational therapy and child life services are performed at this level with minimal supervision. This level requires national certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). The RT/CLS II is distinguished from the next higher class of RT/CLS III in that the latter has work lead responsibility for RT/CLS Is and RT/CLS IIs and independently performs complex patient care. The Recreational Therapist / Child Life Specialist in the Child and Family Life Services Department at LPCH plans and provides professional, creative, and age/developmentally appropriate recreational programs activities of therapeutic value for hospitalized and clinic pediatric/adolescent patients and interacts with them and their family members to assist them in effectively coping with the stress and anxiety of health care experiences as well as to maximize the growth and development of children and adolescents in the hospital or outpatient clinic setting. They assess the emotional and therapeutic needs of assigned patients and families to determine the support needed during the medical experience; formulates a plan of interaction based on assessment of patient and family and present to team members at psychosocial rounds and team meetings; documents all interaction in medical record charts. Provides play/recreational activities as a healing modality while working to enhance the normal growth and development of infants, children and youth through assessment, intervention, prevention, advocacy, and education.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Service Standards of the Hospital(s).

•Assesses the emotional and therapeutic needs of assigned pediatric patients and families to determine the support and play interactions needed during the medical experience with regard to developmental level, interest, capabilities, special concerns, life situations, and stress vulnerability potential related to illness, injury and health care; formulates and revises a plan of interaction to develop appropriate strategies for child life care in conjunction with other health team members based on assessment of patient and family; documents assessments and all interactions in medical record charts.

•Engages and energizes children and families by coordinating special events, entertainment, activities, and donations related to assigned areas.

•Ensures safe patient care and maintains activity / storage area as related to assigned unit / clinic. Maintains age-appropriate supply of therapeutic play materials (e.g., arts, crafts, games, books); evaluates the need for equipment and supplies.

•Evaluates Child and Family Life services / programs by collecting information used to monitor performance improvement and developing and completing performance improvement projects.

•Facilitates appropriate use of the Family Resource Center's resources by patients, families and staff. May assist with developing and maintaining Family Resource Center resources and services.

•Functions as a member of the health care team by attending rounds, patient care conferences, and documenting information related to interventions. Maintains on-going communication with physicians, nurses, unit and clinical staff in order to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care.

•Provides parental and sibling education and support regarding effects of hospitalization, tests, other medical procedures, and/or illness. Facilitates social interactions between patients and families to foster parent-toparent, peer support, and normal social development.

•Provides supportive relationships, emotional support, information and role modeling and uses developmentally appropriate methods for patients and families to prepare them for diagnostic, treatment, and pre-operative and inpatient and outpatient pre-procedural support procedures, including coping techniques and medical play, to optimize the quality of the medical experience. Accompanies pediatric patients and families to medical procedures, applying educational and diversional coping techniques. Provides grief and loss support to patients and families.

•Provides therapeutic child life care, including developmentally and age appropriate play/recreational activities and teaching effective coping procedures for assigned patients in individual and group settings, consistent with developmental needs in order to normalize the environment and facilitate a milieu for assessment.

•Seeks to continue own professional education process in order to further the understanding and practice of family-centered, developmentally appropriate, and psychosocially sound health care and assists with education of members, students, and volunteers as related to the therapeutic care of pediatric patients. Participates in the in interviewing, hiring, orienting, training of staff, students and volunteers as well as the evaluation of students and volunteers in order to further the understanding and practice of family-centered, developmentally appropriate, and psychosocially sound health care. Coordinates patients interactions / activities with available volunteers.

The Child Life Staff shall:

•Provide play experiences.

•Provide therapeutic activities, including participation in the preparation of children and their families for hospitalization, surgery, and medical treatment.

•Liaison with local educational programs.

•Provide organized play activity programs.

•Provide developmentally appropriate toys for children restricted to bed.

•The CLS shall participate in case conferences and discharge planning activities where appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

Education: Bachelor's degree in a work-related field/discipline from an accredited college or university

Experience: One (1) year of directly related work experience

License/Certification: CCLS (Certified Child Life Specialist) - Valid national CCLS certification issued by the Child Life Council (CLC) OR Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or licensure/certification.

•Ability to demonstrate appropriate patient handling skills.

•Ability to develop, implement and adapt treatment programs and provide care in accordance with the standards, policies and procedures of the hospital and department.

•Ability to evaluate patients and interpret clinical data and make clinical judgments.

•Knowledge of basic human anatomy and physiology.

•Knowledge of pathologies and injuries that result in physical impairment.

•Knowledge of regulatory practice requirements.

•Knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and equipment used in recreational therapy.

•Knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development.

The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions in which the job is typically performed are available from the Occupational Health Department. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, LPCH does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability. Women and men, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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