Child Life Specialist - Emergency Department FT 12D- Kalamazoo

CURRENT BRONSON EMPLOYEES - Please apply using the career worklet in Workday. This career site is for external applicants only. Love Where You Work! Team Bronson is compassionate, resilient and strong. We are driven by Positivity which inspires us to be our best and to go above and beyond for our patients, for one another, and for our community. If you’re ready for a rewarding new career, join Team Bronson and be part of the experience. Location BMH Bronson Methodist Hospital Title Child Life Specialist - Emergency Department FT 12D- Kalamazoo The Child Life Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing a comprehensive Child Life Program that promotes the developmental well-being of children, adolescents, and their families. This role focuses on minimizing psychological trauma during medical treatments and maintaining normal living patterns. As a key member of the healthcare team, the Child Life Specialist fosters an environment that encourages mastery through play, learning, self-expression, family involvement, and peer interaction. They are responsible for addressing both the psychosocial and developmental needs of patients, ensuring continuity of care, and coordinating services with the healthcare team. Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, Child Life, or a related field.

Internship: Completed an internship under the supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist.

Certification: Eligible for Professional Child Life Certification upon hire; certification required within one year of employment.

Technical Skills: Proficiency in basic computer skills and familiarity with computerized patient charting systems.

Medical Knowledge: Working knowledge of medical terminology, diagnoses, tests, and procedures relevant to pediatric care.

Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams.

Customer Service: Demonstrates a commitment to exceptional customer service, providing compassionate, responsive care to patients and families.

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Ability to effectively assess patient needs and apply critical thinking to provide appropriate interventions. Key Responsibilities:

Program Planning & Implementation: Design and provide developmentally appropriate experiences to support the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of children and adolescents.

Patient & Family Support: Assist in medical and psychosocial preparation for hospitalization and medical procedures, ensuring patients and families are informed and prepared.

Developmental Play Environment: Create and maintain a playroom and environment that fosters healthy play, growth, and development, including interactive materials such as bulletin boards.

Team Collaboration: Work closely with other healthcare professionals to address the psychosocial needs of pediatric and adolescent patients, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care.

Communication: Provide clear, effective verbal and written communication to patients, families, and healthcare teams. Tailor communication to suit the understanding of various age groups and backgrounds.

Data Collection & Reporting: Gather, document, and report relevant data regarding the developmental and psychosocial status of patients.

Supervision & Mentorship: Support and guide students and volunteers involved in the Child Life Program, providing mentorship and oversight. Physical Demands:

Requires frequent standing and walking, with occasional lifting of light objects (20 pounds or less).

Involves assisting in lifting and moving patients, which may require physical exertion and minor straining positions.

Regular attention to a computer or CRT, leading to mental/visual fatigue during administrative tasks (up to 40% of work time). Work Environment:

Dynamic and fast-paced, requiring effective multitasking and the ability to meet urgent deadlines.

Involves collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure the well-being and development of pediatric patients and their families. Additional Skills:

Demonstrates proficiency in interviewing, problem-solving, and providing critical support to meet the needs of pediatric patients and their families.

Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and maintain a positive, supportive attitude. Shift 12 Hour Day Shift Time Type Full time Sign-On Bonus External Candidates Only: Up to $1,000.00 Retention Bonus External Candidates Only, $1,000.00 Scheduled Weekly Hours 36 Cost Center 6450 General Pediatrics Unit (BMH) Agency Use Policy and Agency Submittal Disclaimer Bronson Healthcare Group and its affiliates (“Bronson”) strictly prohibit the acceptance of unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies ("Recruiters") in response to job postings or word of mouth. Unsolicited resumes sent to any employee of Bronson by Recruiters, without both a valid written agreement with Bronson and a direct written request from the Bronson Talent Acquisition Department for a specific job position, will be considered the property of Bronson. Furthermore, no fees will be owed or paid to Recruiters who submit resumes for unsolicited candidates, even if those candidates are hired. This policy applies regardless of whether the Recruiter has a pre-existing agreement with Bronson. Only candidates submitted through a specific written agreement with the Bronson Talent Acquisition Department for a named position are eligible for fee consideration. Bronson Healthcare is a community-owned, not-for-profit health system that has been serving southwest Michigan since 1900. Today, with a workforce of 9,000 people and 1,500 medical staff members, it is the area’s largest employer and leading healthcare system. Bronson provides care in virtually every specialty and offers a full range of services from primary care to critical care at more than 100 locations. Bronson’s exceptionally high quality standards enable us to do what’s right for our patients and their families. We are empowered as individuals and as teams, to apply our skills and experience so that every patient receives safe, timely and effective treatment. What’s more, our state-of-the-art, technology and evidence-based processes give us the tools we need to deliver the right care, at the right time. By putting each patient and their family at the center of our work, we demonstrate the dignity and respect we have for each individual we serve. This unwavering commitment to serving others combined with our unique healing environment helps make the patient experience here an exceptional one. The excellence and Positivity of our employees and medical staff has contributed to Bronson Healthcare being ranked by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers (2022-23), by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women (2023) and by the National Association for Business Resources as one of the 2023 Top 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.