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Child Life Specialist

Job Description

Job ID:
32902

Location:
450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Category:
Social Work

Employment Type:
Part time

Work Location:
Onsite:Up to 1 day remote/wk

Overview

The Child Life Specialist assists with planning and implementation of activity programs for isolation patients in the ambulatory care, as well as patients in the waiting and infusion areas. The clinic setting is designed to meet a wide range of developmental and emotional needs. The CLS strives to create a safe and nurturing environment in which patients and their families can reduce their anxiety and stress through creative expression and communication with each other. The CLS functions as an integral member of the health care team. The role requires critical thinking, collaborative practice, excellent communication skills and an understanding of clinical research. The mission, vision and core values of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are incorporated into all areas of practice. Develops and engages patients and families in activities that maintain of further develop the patient’s and family’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development across the life span. The CLS displays an understanding of the special needs and behaviors of children and families undergoing evaluation, treatment and follow-up of cancer and related diseases. They assist with developing and adapting the patient activity program to meet specific patient/family needs, incorporating developmental age, chronicle age, and physical limitations or handicaps.

This is a part-time, 24 hours per week, fully on-site position.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide a safe and nurturing environment for all patients and their families
  • Develop therapeutic art and play diversions based on developmental, behavioral and age specific needs
  • Collaborate weekly with psychosocial and multidisciplinary team about individual strategies, interventions and supportive programs for specific patients and family members
  • Educate and assist families throughout the transition from impatient to outpatient care
  • Implement distractions to fulfill physical and psychological needs of pediatric patients throughout difficult procedures
  • Assist the Director of Patient & Family programs with outside family events, Back-to-school presentations and other activities as needed
  • Maintain knowledge of current professional trends, practices and techniques
  • Present at a national conference each year about the role and practices regarding our pediatric patients
  • Work individually with patients using the arts to encourage self-expression
  • Teach individuals basic skills necessary to engage in creative arts and play

Qualifications

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Child Life, Psychology or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
  • 1 year of experience working with children and families in an acute care setting and/or experience in activity programming for a broad range of children, infancy through young adulthood required
  • Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Demonstrates knowledge of child and family development.
  • Demonstrates ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrates excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
  • Demonstrates critical thinking and problem solving skills; and the ability to make independent decisions.
  • Demonstrates ability to establish rapport with patients and families from a variety of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

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