Child Life Specialist

Provides services to facilitate coping and mastery of healthcare experiences through developmentally appropriate activities. Assesses patients and families with the goal of planning interventions. Communicates effectively with the healthcare team and serves as a resource to families and to the healthcare team on child development and behavior issues. Provides consultative support to all Essentia departments including evaluation of developmentally sensitive facilities, materials and processes. Actively participates with the healthcare team to complete child and family friendly redesign. The position also coordinates and oversees volunteers’ activities during volunteers' time in pediatric patient care areas.

• Bachelor’s degree with a preference in therapeutic recreation, child life, family or child development, counseling, child psychology, education, social work or related field.
• Child Life Professional Certification or completion of clinical internship with ability to obtain certification in 6-12 months
• 1 year of related experience, preferably in an acute care children’s facility.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required or ability to obtain within 3 months

• Child Life Professional Certification or current enrollment in a Child Life Professional program and ability to obtain within 6-12 months. Must maintain certification.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required or ability to obtain within 3 months