Responsibilities
In this role, you will create and maintain therapeutic and developmentally appropriate environments for infants, children, youth and family for all service lines at both Santa Monica UCLA and UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital campuses.
As our Child Life Specialist, you will provide opportunities for psychological preparation, procedural support and appropriate medical play for patients and their siblings receiving services.
You will utilize developmental knowledge to guide patients in appropriate coping mechanisms and will function as part of the medical team to ensure patients and families experience a family-centered and emotionally supportive environment as well as create and provide activities to promote group/self-expression, peer interaction and normalization, as well as opportunities for continued development through play, art, music and social interaction.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Child Life, Child Development, Family Studies or closely related field is required;
Completion of a formal internship in Child Life is required;
Child Life Specialist Certification in required within 18-months of hire;
Experience working with typically developing children is required.
Experience working with hospitalized children is required;
Excellent oral and written communication skills and rapport building skills are required.
Must have knowledge to operate and maintain equipment for patient distraction and entertainment (eg: gaming systems, tablets, iPads)
UCLA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.