Child Life Associate

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota•St. Paul, MN

About The Position

The Child Life group promotes the continuous development of children to optimize their responses to medical care, to minimize psychological stress and trauma, and to increase understanding and coping with illness and health care experiences. Child Life provides children with opportunities for gaining a sense of mastery, for play, for learning, for self-expression, for family involvement and for peer interaction. As members of the health care team, child life staff advocate for children and families in ambulatory and inpatient settings. They serve as resources to all staff and to the community on issues related to child development and child health experiences. The primary responsibilities of this position are planning and implementing activities and programs that support and promote normal growth and development, training and oversight of volunteers and creating and maintaining community ties that enhance program delivery. The Child Life Associate works independently, but in collaboration with the Child Life Specialist to provide a safe environment in play areas and when working at the patient bedside. The patient /family interactions may happen in inpatient settings, ambulatory care areas and the sibling play area. Service hours/care delivery might include weekend and evening work hours independent of a CCLS.

Requirements

BLS certification required
Bachelors degree in child development or related field is required
At least 2 years work experience with children and families
Experience working with volunteers
experience with program planning and development

Responsibilities

planning and implementing activities and programs that support and promote normal growth and development
training and oversight of volunteers
creating and maintaining community ties that enhance program delivery
provide a safe environment in play areas and when working at the patient bedside