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Job Summary

The Child & Family Life department at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is seeking a self-motivated, confident and enthusiastic child life specialist to join our team. Functioning as a member of the health care team, the child life specialist is responsible for supporting pediatric and adult patients and their family members in adjusting to healthcare experiences, illness/injury and loss across critical care, acute and ambulatory health care settings. Assessing developmental, psychosocial, emotional and cultural needs using a strengths-based approach, the child life specialist provides developmentally appropriate education for medical procedures and diagnoses, non-pharmacological pain management, therapeutic play and emotional and bereavement support for the patient and family. With support from advanced child life staff, the child life specialist orients and trains child life students and volunteers, provides interdisciplinary education related to the psychosocial and developmental needs of patients and families, and participates in patient related programming and events. 

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day2:1 Match on retirement savingsResponsibilities*Demonstrate proficiency in all child life clinical competencies and standards of clinical practice as defined by the Child Life Certification Commission, a subsidiary of the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). Assess and prioritize patient and family needs for developmentally appropriate child life intervention. Support patients and families in coping with stresses associated with health care experiences through the development of therapeutic and supportive relationships. Plan and implement therapeutic interventions and a variety of individual and group play experiences promoting development, self-expression, and mastery. Advocate for patient and family-centered care through communication, involvement, partnership with and empowerment of patients and family members. Contribute to overall departmental coverage needs through daily coverage plan and float pager coverage. Document treatment plans/outcomes for patients within the electronic medical record as required by department guidelines and professional standards. Provide a physically and emotionally safe, therapeutic and healing environment for patients, families and staff. Provide education regarding illness/condition, treatment, procedures and coping techniques to patients, family members, and the larger community as appropriate. Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, integrating goals and plans to promote optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and psychosocially sound. Regularly attends and participates in medical, multidisciplinary, and psychosocial team meetings. Co-treat and refer patients and families to multidisciplinary services and resources as needed. Maintain and order supplies and equipment as needed. Serve as a financial steward by implementing cost effective programming. Orient and supervise volunteers and participate in education for Michigan Medicine and visiting students. Facilitate ongoing formal and informal education and orientation for unit and multidisciplinary team on availability and provision of child life service. Remain abreast of current developments in the child life profession and participate in professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and skills. Professional involvement with the ACLP is highly encouraged. Represent Child and Family Life and manages clinical responsibilities on evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned. Actively participate in monthly clinical team and committee meetings. Exemplify Michigan Medicine?s values related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Adhere to and embrace Child and Family Life team norms. Perform other duties as assigned. 

EATING DISORDERS CLINIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Assists the Michigan Medicine Comprehensive Eating Disorders program with upholding a safe, orderly, and therapeutic environment. ? covered aboveCollects patient vital signs, height and weight measurements and documents these in the electronic medical record (under RN supervision). Meets with patients and families to assist with patient enrollment, check-in, consent forms, and orientation to treatment program.Monitors physical and mental state of patients and assists with emotional regulation.Facilitates, supervises, and offers emotional support to parents and patients during meals, snacks, groups, and bathroom breaks.Interacts with patients and families using strategies that align with the program treatment approach, may modify techniques to meet individual needs when clinically indicated.Provides 1:1 support to patients/parents, while adhering to program treatment model.Provides patient supervision and implements therapeutic interventions to maintain a safe and supportive milieu.Facilitates self-expression and relaxation groups with patients, following curriculum developed by program staff.Recognizes when patient medical and/or psychiatric symptoms are beyond scope of practice/training and consults with appropriate colleagues (e.g., nursing, psychiatry, social work) for assistance.Collaborates with the collection of clinical data for quality improvement and related activities.Reports relevant observations/ recommendations during biweekly multidisciplinary team meetings. Promotes quality patient care by maintaining knowledge and skill level related to the symptoms and treatment of eating disorders relevant to position responsibilities and in accordance with UMHS regulations.

LEVEL EXPECTATIONS: 

Demonstrate ability to build effective interdisciplinary relationships. Advance Child & Family Life services through professional representation of department/team in all interactions. Orient to student supervision role. Co-lead and supervise child life practicum students and visiting interns in alignment with ACLP guidelines. Engage in department mentorship program. Additional mentorship is encouraged. Familiarize self with departmental community/donor supporters and programs. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 

General supervision is received from the Child Life Manager.

SUPERVISION EXCERCISED: 

Functional supervision may be exercised over interns, students and volunteers. 

Required Qualifications*Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life SpecialistCertification from the Child Life Certification Commission as a Certified Child Life Specialist Pediatric healthcare experience (minimum of 600-hour child life clinical internship)Strong interpersonal communication, teamwork, and listening skillsAbility to work independently and as part of a teamAbility to problem solve and make clinical decisions with minimal supervision and independently when neededBasic proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic medical recordACLP and Great Lakes Association of Child Life Professionals (GLACLP) membershipThis position requires frequent standing/walking, as well as lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring of patients.This classification requires Primary Source Verification. 

Intermediate Level -

Minimum of three years of pediatric healthcare experience required.Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist

Senior Level -

Five or more years of professional child life experience is required.Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life SpecialistDemonstrated experience in supervisory role and demonstration of leadership skills is required.Demonstrated understanding and commitment to patient & family-centered care values are required.Skill in prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands is required.Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships is required.Association of Child Life Professionals membership is required.Desired Qualifications*Mental health experience desired. Work Schedule

Primary Work Location: Eating Disorders Clinic

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm 

Some weekends and holidays required.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.