Located conveniently off of the Valley´s Metro Light Rail in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, St. Joseph´s Hospital and Medical Center is a 690+-bed, not-for-profit hospital that provides a wide range of health, social and support services with special advocacy for the poor and underserved. As one of the Valley’s largest hospitals we are extremely proud to be a nationally recognized center for quality tertiary care, medical education and research. It includes the internationally renowned Barrow Neurological Institute, the Heart & Lung Institute, St. Joseph´s Children’s Health Center and a Level I Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. The hospital is also a respected center for maternity care, orthopedics, oncology and many other medical services.St. Joseph´s is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal and is the only Valley hospital to be named to the list six consecutive years. St. Joseph´s has also been named a Top 100 Best Place to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare, a Top 25 Workplace for Women by ArizonaWoman magazine and a top hospital in Ranking Arizona. U.S News &World Report routinely ranks St. Joseph´s among the best hospitals in the United States for neurology and neurosurgery. Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph’s was the first hospital in the Phoenix area. The hospital is part of Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), one of the largest healthcare systems in the West with 41 hospitals in Arizona, California and Nevada.Look for us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. POSITION REQUIREMENTS JOIN US NOW as we are seeking a dynamic SUPERVISOR for our CHILD LIFE DEPARTMENT. This position coordinates program development and supervise ongoing services of the Child Life team which includes: 9 FT specialists, 2 on call specialists, 5 activity assistants, 1 teacher, and 1 on call teacher. This position coordinates communication between the team and other specialties. Provides model patient care while striving to reduce stress and anxiety associated with health care by meeting the psychosocial and emotional developmental needs of the patient. Mentors and collaborates with child life staff and other team members. Advocates for departmental needs to enhance program and staff development. Additional duties include supervision and evaluation of Child Life Specialists, Activity Assistants and Volunteers, scheduling, budget variance reporting, promoting and education for child-friendly environments throughout hospital, attending meetings and fostering communication among team members.CHILD LIFE DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:St. Joseph´s Children´s Health Center (CHC) is committed to addressing the psychological, emotional and developmental needs of the children and young adults it serves. This involves the tireless work of a team of Child Life Specialists and Activity Assistants.Since 1982, the CHC´s Child Life Program has been helping children express their concerns and deal with fears that can surface during a hospital stay or clinic visit. The Child Life Specialist´s role is to help reduce stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization, provide support to all members of the family, and facilitate continued growth and development in the child. They use a variety of methods and strategies to make pediatric patients as comfortable as possible. This can include age appropriate education about upcoming tests and procedures, coping and distraction techniques, and play activities to promote normal growth and development.Support also extends to family members. The Program offers parents additional resources, educational materials and guidance. Services are also available to help siblings cope with having a hospitalized brother or sister.It takes a dedicated and compassionate individual to help children acclimate to a difficult and fast-paced environment. The CHC´s Child Life Specialists hold a minimum of a bachelor´s degree in Child Development, Family Studies or a related field and are specially trained in the effects of hospitalization on children and their families. Activity Assistants play a crucial role by running the playroom and providing activities for patients at bedside. They generally have a minimum of 2 years of college and extensive experience working with children.Child Life Specialists can be found throughout the hospital where children are served and are considered part of the trauma team for pediatric traumas.The CHC´s Child Life Program has the distinction of offering both inpatient and outpatient resources, ensuring that patient and family needs are met throughout the continuum of care.Inpatient Child LifeChild Life Specialists staff the inpatient program, helping children and their families through difficult situations and become an integral part of a patient´s experience. Child Life provides:Age-appropriate education to help children understand what to expect before a procedure Medical play to encourage children to gain a sense of control while allowing them to express fears and calm anxieties Emotional support, coping techniques and distraction during procedures Play opportunities at the bedside or in the playroom Diagnostic education and support for parents and siblings Special events to help promote normal routines (Birthday and holiday celebrations are held, along with visits from special guests such as players from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns.) Bereavement support for families and siblings of pediatric patients and young children of adult patients in the Intensive Care Units.Outpatient Child Life A Child Life program in the outpatient setting is unique and allows specialists to have on-going relationships with patients and their families. Specialists provide the same therapeutic care for patients as you would find inpatient, which includes preparation for surgeries, support through painful procedures, developmentally appropriate education about their diagnosis as well as normal play activities.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:BS degree in Child Life, child development or related field (Master´s preferred), 480 hour Child Life internship and experience with children in a healthcare setting, five+ years of direct patient care experience and current Child Life Certification through Child Life Council required.