JOB SUMMARY: Under intermittent supervision, works with the interdisciplinary team to meet the unique emotional, developmental, and cultural needs of each pediatric patient and his/her family within the Alaska Native Tribal Health System. The following duties are intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities and ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES Observes and assesses the needs and concerns of pediatric patients and their families. Provides activities and interventions to help children and families cope with medical situations and meet their developmental, emotional, and educational needs. Facilitates group and individual interactions and interventions with children and families. Organizes the child life volunteer program, observers, and students. Mentors entry level child life specialists. Organizes and manages special events, special guests, support groups, and other regularly scheduled events. Assists children and families with mental and emotional preparation for medical procedures and surgeries and provides support and distraction during procedures. Participates in psychosocial, interdisciplinary, and/or departmental team meetings and communicates developmental and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients. Properly and accurately documents and charts on child and family interventions. Maintains professional competence by keeping abreast of research and evidence based practices within the child life field. Advocates for patients and families within the medical setting. Coordinates and provides in-services for department/unit staff and child life staff. Promotes family-centered care by providing information, advocacy, and support to families of pediatric patients. Supervises other Certified Child Life Specialists employed by ANTHC, and works to develop and maintain a high quality child life program. LEAD CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST Provides Child Life outreach and consultation expertise to Tribal Health partners to improve the care for children and families throughout the Alaska Tribal Health system. Assists leadership in developing methods to improve patient outcomes, grant writing, and new program development. Expected to provide direct child life patient care at 80% of FTE. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS  Knowledge of Alaska Tribal Health System, ANTHC, and Alaska Native culture(s) and politics. Knowledge of communication skills, both oral and written to interact with patients and families. Knowledge of customer service concepts and techniques. Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands. Skill in coordinating multiple departments and individuals for completion of a single task. Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships. Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications. Skill in measuring, compiling, and analyzing data and identifying orientation and training needs.

Required Experience

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION Bachelor’s degree in child life, therapeutic recreation, child development, or closely related field, AND completion of a minimum of 480 hours Child Life Internship.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION Non-supervisory – Five (5) years professional work experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist.

MINIMUM CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION Certification in Child Life (CCLS)   PREFERRED EDUCATION QUALIFICATION N/A

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION Experience in the Alaska Tribal Health System is preferred. Supervisory - One (1) year supervisory experience is preferred.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION N/A

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Depending on the needs of the organization, some incumbents in this job class may be required to obtain additional certifications or training in one or more specialty areas. 

WORKING CONDITIONS The following demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:  Must be able to lift approximately 20 pounds.    ANMC is not a latex free facility; an employee should expect to work in an environment where latex may be present. May be required to work outside traditional work schedule.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS  Knowledge of Alaska Tribal Health System, ANTHC, and Alaska Native culture(s) and politics. Knowledge of communication skills, both oral and written to interact with patients and families. Knowledge of customer service concepts and techniques. Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands. Skill in coordinating multiple departments and individuals for completion of a single task. Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships. Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications. Skill in measuring, compiling, and analyzing data and identifying orientation and training needs.