Pediatric Patient and Family Support Specialist

Overview

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The Pediatric Patient and Family Support Specialist supports the emotional, developmental, and social needs of pediatric patients and their families in a healthcare setting. The primary goal is to reduce the stress, fear, and anxiety children experience due to illness, hospitalization, or medical procedures through therapeutic interventions, education, and emotional support. Plans and implements programs and services to meet the needs identified for assigned clinical populations and the child life department.

Promotes and practices the delivery of high-quality family-centered care and services for patients and families.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Early Education, Psychology, Social Work or a related field.
• Obtain Basic Life Support Certification within 30 days of hire.

Experience

• Two (2) years work experience with children and families

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Child Life Development, Child Life, Education, Psychology, Social Work or related field preferred.
• Completion of a 600-hour Child Life Internship.

• Four (4) years of work experience with children and families

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Prepares and executes an individualized therapeutic care plan for the developmental and psychosocial well-being of the child to promote healthy coping.
• Applies child life interventions (e.g. legacy building, needle play, medical play, diagnostic teaching, treatment compliance, death and bereavement) aimed towards mastery of medical experiences.
• Makes developmentally appropriate preparations for medical experiences of patients and families to encourage the expression of feelings, healthy adaptation and coping mechanism development.
• May accompany child to procedure and surgery experiences to incorporate pre-planned coping strategies as well as diversionary and guided imagery techniques.
• Selects activities, materials, and equipment that foster intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.
• Examines behaviors and modifies care plan in response to behavior, development, and limitations utilizing approved methods of discipline.
• Coordinates normalization activities for patients (holiday celebrations, entertainment, visiting groups and community recreational activities).
• Assesses the needs of the patient and family members for education on the impact of illness, visitation, support and development.
• Involves and communicates with the patient and family to support the goals of the health care team and match with the expectations and values of the family.
• Advocates for the opportunities for parents to maintain their parenting role.
• Assists with the identification and utilization of research to accommodate cultural, environmental, and language needs.
• Participates and/or initiates studies which advance the mission and goals of West Virginia University Children’s Hospital.
• Serves as a resource for state-wide outreach and education regarding child life and child life development by speaking at conferences, school systems, and local clinics.
• Offers skills and expertise to children’s camps (examples: Heart Camp, HEM/ONC Camp, Diabetes Camp, etc.).
• Evaluates departmental activities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Maintains program expenditures within the budgetary limits.
• Maintains affiliation and networks with related professional organizations.
• Participates in and provides in-service training throughout the institution relative to practice areas.
• Participates in program activities to promote efficient operations, including scheduling, flexing of hours and assignments, attendance at unit-based meetings and…