University of Utah Health·Salt Lake City, Utah
This role involves planning and delivering therapeutic interventions and psychosocial/developmental care for pediatric and adolescent patients and their families to help them cope with healthcare stress. Responsibilities include assessing patients, formulating care plans, providing medical play, psychological preparation, and facilitating supportive relationships.
Overview Must have a current certification as a Child Life Specialist!
3K Sign-on Bonus Available!
As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education.
Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect.
University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission.
EO/AA This position plans and provides therapeutic intervention and appropriate psychosocial/developmental care under the general supervision and direction of the Child Life Coordinator for pediatric/adolescent patients and families 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 setting.
Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience.
Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.
Assesses patients and facilitates play interactions with regard to developmental level, interest, capabilities, special concerns, life situations, and stress vulnerability potential related to illness, injury and health care. Documents assessments in interdisciplinary charts when appropriate. Formulates and revises child life patient care plans to develop appropriate strategies for child life care in conjunction with other health team members. Documents implementation of plan on child life documentation form, and when appropriate, in patient's interdisciplinary chart. Provides therapeutic child life care for patients/families based upon the needs assessment and patient care plan. This includes medical play activities, psychological preparation, teaching effective coping behaviors, and staying with children through procedures to help implement effective coping behaviors. Ensures toys and patient activities are developmentally supportive. Provides supportive relationships, emotional support, information and role modeling to patients and family members to foster appropriate interaction with children in a hospital setting. Develops, implements, and evaluates child life care plans and programs to encourage optimum growth, development and self-esteem of children and adolescents, and to facilitate functional family interactions. Facilitates social interactions between patients and families to foster parent-to-parent, peer support and normal social development. Assists in the maintenance of a safe and therapeutic patient care environment. Maintains age-appropriate supply of therapeutic play materials (e.g., arts, crafts, games, books,); evaluates the need for equipment and supplies. Participates in continuing education programs and remains abreast of advances in child development and programs for hospitalized children; provides interdisciplinary in-service education on child development, child life, and the impact of illness, injury and health care on patients and families. Coordinates patient's interactions/activities with available volunteers. Participates in the selection, training, supervision and evaluation of Child Life Assistant I, Child Life Assistant II, Child Life student interns and volunteers. Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Assists in assessing patient/family needs for outpatient psychosocial care and recommending referrals. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above. Care is appropriate to the population served. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills. Knowledge of age appropriate activities for children. Knowledge of recreational therapy care for adults and pediatric patient populations. Ability to implement diversionary and recreational activities to enhance coping in adults and pediatric patient populations. Ability to schedule appropriate entertainment and educational activities and address the psychosocial needs of children and families to create a minimally threatening therapeutic environment. Ability to enhance the hospital experience of patients by coordinating efforts of community groups and individuals involved in child life programs. Ability to collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and evaluate psychosocial care and to facilitate holistic care for patients.
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Child Life or a related field, along with one year of related experience. Required licenses include current certification as a Child Life Specialist and obtaining the University of Utah Health RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential within 30 days of hire.
Market context
In Utah, support-services roles in healthcare are often tied to patient flow, clinic operations, and front-line assistance, so demand tends to follow outpatient and ambulatory care activity. These jobs can be competitive because employers look for candidates who already have relevant clinical exposure, such as EMT training, medical assisting education, or ambulatory care experience, and who can quickly complete required credentials like the RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your training background and plan to secure the eCredential within 30 days if you apply.