Child Life Specialist

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

 

Child Life Specialists provide developmentally appropriate clinical care and advocacy for patients and families by applying knowledge and skill that promotes healing, prevents significant developmental disruption, and reduces psychological stress.

• Provide support to pediatric and adult Fred Hutch patients and the dependent and/or minor children (focusing on children 18 years or younger) in their lives (e.g., biological, adoptive, live with them, etc.) 
• Work is at all Fred Hutch sites of practice; this position is focused upon the South Lake Union campus and Proton Therapy/Radiation Oncology on the NW campus but may expand to the community sites.
• Provide education (orientations, in-services, trainings) to staff, providers, volunteers, non-employees, and students

This position will be per diem, M-F.  The hours may vary based upon campus where the per diem will be working on a particular day, e.g., 7:15am to 3:45pm at Proton and 8:30am to 5:00pm at South Lake Union. Travel between campuses is not needed at this time.  

• Promote normal growth and development and optimal adjustment of pediatric patients, dependent child(ren) of adult patients, and families to hospitalization, treatment, illness, and disability
• Provide appropriate interventions based on assessment of child(ren)'s developmental and psychosocial needs
• Provide guidance regarding communication with and parenting of children of adult patients
• Develop, implement and evaluate treatment plans for high priority children
• Provide education and emotional support to patients and families
• Facilitate support and intervention for children, patient, and family members as needed
• Collaborate with other department staff and programs to make referrals for patients/children and assist with integration of patients and families into other multidisciplinary services.
• Participate as a member of unit multidisciplinary team and act as a resource for staff, sharing resources and information pertaining to child life, child development and adjustment to a loved one's illness and hospitalization:
• Collaborate with health care team in developing care plans
• Act as a resource regarding developmental information and adjustment to illness and hospitalization; safe, age-appropriate play and materials; environment; and community resources
• Provide formal (in-services) and informal (one-to-one) education for staff
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings and care conferences
• Participate in division-wide and departmental meeting
• Document one's work in the electronic health record as appropriate
• Participate in other duties as assigned

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field
• Must have and maintain Certified Child Life Specialist certification
• 1-2 years of experience
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills
• Able to deal courteously and sensitively with patients and families
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with patients, families, providers, staff, volunteers, and non-employees who are diverse, e.g., in terms of race, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, socio-economic, neurodiversity, and other ways
• Demonstrates professional values and behaviors, demonstrates good boundaries, demonstrates good leadership skills, remains non-judgmental, and respects the dignity and worth of every individual
• Must have excellent child life specialist skills, work well independently and with others, function well in complex and constantly changing contexts, be committed to continuous improvement, have good analytical skills, be able to prioritize work responsibilities effectively and appropriately, and work well with electronic charting and Microsoft Office

Preferred:

• Education or experience working with infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting
• Substantial experience in oncology
• Substantial experience in working with adult patients with dependent, minor children

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We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.