This position plans and provides therapeutic intervention and appropriate psychosocial developmental care with pediatric patients and their families, assists them in coping with the stress and anxiety of health care experiences, and maximizes the growth and development of infants, children, and adolescent patients.

• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates patient/family coping needs related to illness and hospitalization. Provides a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for infants, children, adolescents, and families during healthcare visits.
  
  a. Utilizes Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics (PRAP), Emotional Safety screener, and other validated assessment tools to accurately assess development, coping, and psychosocial risk.
  b. Utilizes critical thinking skills and comprehensive assessment to develop individualized treatment plans with patient and family specific goals.
  c. Provides developmentally appropriate education and coping support to children and families regarding diagnoses, procedures and treatment in order to reduce fear and promote mastery.
  d. Facilitates developmentally appropriate therapeutic play, medical play, and self-expression activities to support coping and understanding of medical care.
  e. Advocates for patient and family needs within the healthcare team, ensuring interventions align with family centered care principles.
  d. Consults with more senior child life specialists and/or supervisors for guidance and direction on unfamiliar and/or higher acuity interventions
  e. Actively participates in interdisciplinary rounds and evaluations as a member of the treatment team.
  f. Documents patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the medical record.
• Engages in activities related to professional responsibility of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
  
  a. Demonstrates continued growth through departmental professional development activities.
  b. Participates in continuing education sessions and remains abreast of advances in child life and programs for hospitalized children.
  c. Developing self-reflective capacity and incorporating feedback into daily practice.
  d. Participates in reflective practice (facilitated group supervision) for the first year of employment in order to continue developing clinical and professional skills.
  e. Participates in the training, supervision, and evaluation of students and volunteers as eligible.
  f. Participates in mentoring or precepting of new staff as appropriate and supports orientation for incoming team members.
• Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.
  

To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties
• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies
• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders
• Advocating for the health and well-being of children and families

• We place children and families at the center of all we do
• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way
• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact
• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future
• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable