Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) at CARLE

To help children and their families better understand the illness, hospitalization and outpatient procedures. Decreasing stress and anxiety related to procedures, separation from home and family and changes in routine are the key focus areas.

• Assessment-Promotes the use of evidence-based practice using protocols and procedures.* Observe and assess the needs and concerns of the child and family* Develops an individualized plan of care using a collaborative approach with the patient/family and health care team.* Uses appropriate interventions identified in the plan of care to achieve expected patient outcomes* Systematically evaluates and documents patient's progress toward expected outcomes/goals.* Modifies plan of care based on evaluation* Completes required documentation as appropriate, including patient chart and event reports* Demonstrates professional accountability for own practice as evidenced through seeking resources and continuing self-development* Demonstrates knowledge of equipment. Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in evidence based
• Intervention-participates in the interdisciplinary care of the patient with the collaboration of team members, utilizing additional resources as needed.* Analyzes clinical situations in a systematic way and acts to obtain resources or correct problems to meet or exceed expected outcomes or patient needs* Demonstrates ownership and persistence to ensure problem is resolved in best way possible.* Consistently prioritizes work based on changes in patient condition, changes in assignment and unanticipated interruptions* Identifies and utilizes team resources to solve identified problems or needs* Collaborates with the health care team in the organization of tasks and activities for the patient's care from admission to discharge according to the plan of care and to meet identified expected outcomes* Works with other team members in delegating tasks and activities appropriately* Advocates with physicians on patient's behalf when necessary* Utilizes communication and teamwork strategies aimed at promoting high team performance and achieving optimal patient outcomes and unit productivity* Chooses an appropriate and meaningful communication style when interacting with others: gives and accepts constructive.
• Education- Assesses and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient's age and family needs.* Adapts teaching strategies based on patient's response, readiness to learn and level of comprehension* Takes cultural, age-specific, gender, and developmental factors into consideration when teaching patients about procedures, illness, hospital experience, etc.* Ensures patient safety in the hospital environment by following policy/procedures and adhering to National Patient Safety Goals* Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education* Utilizes SVI patient education system as a resource for patients and family members* Promotes the professional development of self and team members* Shares clinical knowledge through formal and informal teaching and in response to the learning needs of others.
• Performance Improvement- actively participates in data collection, analysis, problem-solving and gives input on process improvements and patient satisfaction.* Works with interdisciplinary team in identifying opportunities for improvement in patient care and patient/family satisfaction* Actively promotes and achieves customer satisfaction (patient, family, departments, physicians)* Participates in the implementation of Performance Improvement initiatives* Promptly and efficiently follows up on patient/family requests/needs - anticipates patient/family needs* Encourages coworkers in achieving excellent customer satisfaction; utilizes organizational service excellence standards* Serves on unit-based councils as needed* Identifies practice problems on the unit* Implements changes in own clinical practice based on literature and unit process improvement outcomes* Works on assigned projects, data collection, audits as assigned.