Child Life Specialist - Cole Eye Institute

Cleveland Clinic is recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. We’re excited to announce the opening of the new 150,000-square-foot Jeffrey and Patricia Cole Building at Cole Eye Institute. This expansion supports an exponential growth in our services. We’re helping more people than ever at Cole Eye Institute — with more than 380,000 outpatient visits and 20,300 surgeries. People in our care also have access to more than 60 clinical trials. We’ve added three procedure rooms, eight operating rooms and 60 outpatient exam rooms with access to imaging technology. We also have a new, dedicated space for research and education. All of this means even higher quality eye care from us and a better experience for you.

 
As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our interdisciplinary team, child life team, and other patients/families. You will be part of a supportive caregiver family that will be united in shared values and purpose to fulfill our promise of being the best place to receive care and the best place to work in healthcare. 

 
A caregiver in this position works hours between 6:00am—5:00pm and supports pediatrics at Cole Eye Surgery. 

 
A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

• Assess developmental, psychosocial, emotional and cultural needs using a strengths-based approach, the child life specialist provides developmentally appropriate education for medical procedures and diagnoses, non-pharmacological pain management, therapeutic play and emotional and bereavement support for the patient and family. 

• Document treatment plans/outcomes for patients within the electronic medical record as required by department guidelines and professional standards. 

• Plan and implement therapeutic interventions and a variety of individual and group play experiences promoting development, self-expression, and mastery. 

• Maintain and order supplies and equipment as needed. 

• Advocate for patient and family-centered care through communication, involvement, partnership with and empowerment of patients and family members. 

• Provide education regarding illness/condition, treatment, procedures and coping techniques to patients, family members, and the larger community as appropriate.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life or related field for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist 

• Child Life Internship, at least 600 hours, directed by a Certified Child Life Specialist 

• Professional certification (CCLS) through the Association of Child Life Professionals within a year of appointment and maintain certification throughout their employment (If certification is not achieved within one year of hire, the caregiver is not eligible to practice) 

• An extension may be granted by Child Life Manager under appropriate circumstances 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross within one year of hire 

• Remain current with developments in the child life profession and actively participates in ongoing professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and skills 

• Maintain proficiency in all child life clinical competencies and standards of practice as defined by the Child Life Certification Commission, a subsidiary of the Association of Child Life Professionals 

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Two years and 4000 hours of professional Child Life clinical experience in a hospital setting