Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels
A new children’s hospital is under construction at the Vidant Medical Center located in Pitt County. The emergency wing is complete and open for patients. I had the opportunity to visit the emergency department and I met a Child Life Specialist. It only took a few minutes before I realized that this is an employment position that I would enjoy working.
Vidant Child Life Services
The Child Life Services department is staffed by child life specialists and assistants who strive to make young patients' medical experience as positive as possible. Addressing the unique emotional and psychological needs of children is vital to ensure children continue to have positive growth and development during and after medical experiences. Child life specialists are professionals who hold a bachelor or masters level degree and are devoted to making a child's medical experience as understandable as possible. Our team provides emotional, psychological, and social support to children, teens, and their families to help ease the stress and anxieties that often accompany a health care experience.
The child life team provides services in inpatient units such as pediatrics, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care as well as outpatient areas like radiology, surgery, sedation, and the emergency department. These services are also available as consults for children of adult patients. Our highly-trained staff uses play, education, and self-expression to promote the patient's wellbeing and development and to explain procedures to help children and families’ master unfamiliar environments and experiences.
https://www.vidanthealth.com/vidant/ServicesDetail.aspx?id=4096
To become a Child Life Specialist, the following qualification should be met:
Education
A Bachelors or Master’s degree in Child Life, human development or related field. Beginning 2012, a minimum of one course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist is required.
A Bachelors or Master’s degree in Child Life, human development or related field. Beginning 2012, a minimum of one course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist is required.
ExperienceCompletion of an internship in a pediatric setting under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. Experience with children and families in a non-healthcare environment.
The following clinical skills:
Knowledge of behavior and development
Leadership
Good communication
Knowledge and understanding of group dynamics and its principles
ability to organize
Ability to play
There are presently no job openings in this position
Mount Olive College
The next employment I chose was Mount Olive College where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood. To have the opportunity to return back to Mount Olive College and teach students what I have learned would be awesome. I will never forget the first day of class when one of my instructors walked in and I realized she grew up and lived in the same neighborhood that I lived in. Ms. Dixon taught me and I would love to have that same opportunity to teach someone else.
I have received an application from Mount Olive College and have been encouraged to return application upon graduation from Walden University.
Arendell Parrott Academy
The last job opportunity I chose is Arendell Parrott Academy located in Kinston. I had the opportunity to take a tour of this school. The school starts with transition school age 4 and continues on until 12th grade. I was very impressed with the transition teachers who not only were teachers but were concerned about the wellbeing of the children. The classes included play time, nap time, class time, movement classes, computer classes, music classes in which the 4 year olds learn to play the violin. I am a violinist and seeing the children learn to play at such a young age was something for my eyes to behold. Meal time in the cafeteria reminded you a home cooked meal provided by Chef D. This school has so much to offer and I am so glad that my grandsons were blessed with a scholarship and are students at Arendell Parrott Academy.
ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
For 48 years, Arendell Parrott Academy has attracted talented faculty and staff dedicated to nurturing the intellect, the character, and the civic values of children. The Board of Trustees is committed to retaining top employees through competitive salary and benefits, and the school offers a uniquely supportive work environment where motivated staff members have the freedom, opportunity, and resources to grow as professionals.
Mission Statement
Arendell Parrott Academy upholds a tradition of fostering each student's intellectual, creative, social, physical, and moral development in a positive and challenging educational community.
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IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
No immediate employment opportunities are available at this time.
