Child Life Tool Kit Job Descriptions Director ... - Child Life Council

CLTK: Director Job Description
Child Life Tool Kit
Job Descriptions
Director/Manager/Leader of Child Life Program
Director/Manager/Leader of Child Life Program
This individual reports to the administrative department responsible for child life (e.g. nursing, pediatrics or family
services). Experience at the managerial level or previous leadership responsibilities is desired.
Requirements:
• Child Life Professional Certification
• Master’s degree in child life, child development, or related field
• Previous experience as a Child Life Director/Manager/Leader or Child Life Specialist with Leadership
Responsibilities
• Demonstrated leadership within the organization and/or child life field
• CPR Certification (or within 90 days of hire)
Responsibilities:
• Establish and manage the department budget, salaries, and staffing
• Evaluate staff, department needs, and overall contributions to the organization
• Develop and continually update child life policies and procedures
• Advocate for the needs of the department and organization
• Authorize and encourage fundraising and special events for the program and organization
• Collaborate with Development Office/Public Affairs/Public Relations in fundraising efforts
• Responsible for or heavily involved in supporting the organization’s school program, art, music, and healing
therapy programs (such as clown or pet therapy), and volunteer programs
• Oversee all levels of child life student programs
• Report to and collaborate with organization management in evaluating and improving the quality of services
provided to pediatric patients and families
• Attend Annual CLC Conference and Directors Retreat to keep current in child life field and
leadership/management practices
• Involved with the Youth Advisory Council, Family Advisory Council, and other family centered care committees
within the organization
• Act as a role model and leader in the child life field and management within the organization
• Foster collaboration and teamwork among the child life staff and entire organization
• Provide quality child life services to children and families in assigned work area
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CLTK: Director Job Description
• Act as mediator for department and staff issues or concerns
References
American Academy of Pediatrics (2000). Child life services. Pediatrics, 106 (5), 1156-1159.
Child Life Council (2008). Child Life Council, Inc. strategic plan 2008-2011. Retrieved April 24, 2008 from
http://www.childlife.org/About/StrategicPlan.cfm.
Child Life Council (2006). Guidelines for the development of child life programs in heath care settings. Rockville, MD:
Child Life Council, Inc.
Child Life Council (2002). Official documents of the child life council. Rockville, MD: Child Life Council, Inc.
Child Life Council (2004). Study guide for the child life professional certification examination. Rockville, MD: Child Life
Council, Inc.
Gaynard, L., Wolfer, J., Goldberger, J., Thompson, R., Redburn, L., & Laidley, L. (1990). Psychosocial care of children in
hospitals: A clinical practice manual from the ACCH child life research project. Rockville, MD: Child Life Council.
Disclaimer
This document is part of an ongoing series of models and templates created by the Child Life Council to assist
child life specialists in the development or improvement of their programs. While any part of this document
may be modified to fit the needs of an individual organization, CLC does not suggest that the resources in this
series will be universally appropriate or adaptable. Because each child life program and each institution has
different needs and structure, any individual intending to create or revise program policy should first consult
his or her organization’s existing policies and procedures. All documents are provided solely as references; CLC
assumes no responsibility for outcomes based on the implementation of the sample documents outlined in this
series. Unless otherwise qualified, the term “child” or “children” refers to “infants, children and youth.”
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