Job Description
Make a Difference Every Single Day
At Cedars-Sinai, we’re driven by a collective spirit of innovation and the challenge to continuously improve. Above all, we share a real passion for helping others. Day after day, from department to department, our people give their all to create a community unlike any other. This is just one of the many reasons U.S. News & World Report has named us one of America’s Best Hospitals—and now we invite you to join us. From working with a team of exceptional professionals using innovative facilities, you’ll have everything needed to do something incredible—for yourself, and for others.
At Cedars-Sinai, Child Life Specialists provides support to children, teens and families to help them prepare for their medical experience in the Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care units, Outpatient Cancer Center, Children’s Health Center and the Emergency Department. Services include health education, therapeutic play, developmental activities and emotional support to minimize any psychological trauma, stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization.
The Specialist will provide therapeutic, educational and recreational activities to patients in assigned areas of coverage. The specialist also provides developmental interventions, emotional support, therapeutic play and health related education to patients and families based on assessment. The specialist participates in team and family meetings, patient care conferences, discharge planning and medical rounds.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Collaborates with staff on patients’ developmental and behavioral issues and complements the plan of care for the patient.
- Assesses and interacts with patients and families using theories of human growth and development, family systems and cultural background. Implements' services that provide a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals and groups, ages 0-21.
- Prepares children for medical procedures or treatments using theories of child development and language that children understand.
- Introduces coping strategies to help reduce anxiety, manage pain and enhance cooperation with the health care team. Provides support, reassurance and distraction during medical procedures.
- Offers opportunities for play and expressive activities, encouraging normal development and a sense of fun in the face of difficult circumstances.
- Supports families confronting grief and bereavement issues.
- Leads and participates in quality improvement projects.
Qualifications
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree, required Master's Degree preferred in Child Development, Psychology Child Life or related field.
License/Certification/Registration Requirements
- Child Life Specialist Certification (CCLS) required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate required. (Must be from American Heart Association or American Red Cross)
Experience
- Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Child Life Specialist for an Academic Medical Center.
Req ID : 5575
Working Title : Child Life Specialist Dog Handler - Pediatrics - 8-Hour - Full Time - Days
Department : Child Life Services
Business Entity : Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Job Category : Patient Services
Job Specialty : Patient Relations
Overtime Status : NONEXEMPT
Primary Shift : Day
Shift Duration : 8 hour
Base Pay : $28.45 - $44.10
Our compensation philosophy
We offer competitive total compensation that includes pay, benefits, and other recognition programs for our employees. The base pay range shown above takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including knowledge/skills; relevant experience and training; education/certifications/licensure; and other business and organizational factors. This base pay range does not include our comprehensive benefits package and any incentive payments that may be applicable to this role. Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision (PDF) (opens in new window)
Diversity and Inclusion at Cedars-Sinai
We are caretakers and innovators committed to the pursuit of equitable healthcare. But health equity is not possible without representation. Our commitment to diversity goes beyond demographics or checking boxes. Our people must reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and patients we serve – because that’s what our patients, colleagues and communities deserve. Quality Care and Research—For All, By All (opens in new window).
Cedars-Sinai is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Cedars-Sinai does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of the race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics or any genetic information), marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age (40 or older), military and/or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal or state law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Applicant_Accommodation@cshs.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
Cedars-Sinai will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
At Cedars-Sinai, we are dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of our patients and employees. This includes protecting our patients from communicable diseases, such as influenza (flu) and COVID-19. For this reason, we require that all new employees receive a flu vaccine based on the seasonal availability of flu vaccine (typically during September through April each year) as a condition of employment, and annually thereafter as a condition of continued employment, subject to medical exemption or religious accommodation. For the same reason, you may also be required to receive other vaccines such as COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Cedars-Sinai reserves the right to make modifications to its required list of vaccines as required by law and/or policy. Cedars-Sinai’s AA Policy Statement (PDF) (opens in new window)
