Child Development Associate

Class Specifications – H.65
Child Development Associate – 9345

October, 1980

Series Concept

Child Development Associates develop and administer therapeutic child development programs for pediatric patients and their families that facilitate coping with the psychological stress of illness and hospitalization.

Incumbents provide a therapeutic milieu within a medical facility for ill infants, toddlers, preschool, school-age and adolescent children and their families; implement therapeutic experiences that will promote and allow for continuance of healthy development intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically; establish appropriate therapeutic experiences for groups and individuals through educational and play activities relating to surgical and medical events in order to assist children in understanding their medical treatment, illness and environment; assess patient’s behavior in terms of observable physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs and prepare written observations and evaluation of patients and their family; participate as a member of an interdisciplinary health team, coordinating patient’s needs with other departments and staff such as physicians, nurses, social workers, dietitians, school teachers, and support staff involved in patient care; assist parents in understanding child growth and development behaviors; schedule prehospitalization visits for the child and family to educate and prepare them for medical environment; promote and facilitate the adaptation of parents and siblings to the hospital environment and the relationship of parents and family members with the patient within their normal and modified patterns of interaction; provide training in basic child development therapy techniques to staff, professionals, volunteers and students within the medical facility and community; develop guidelines and training materials for the mental health of children under Pediatric care; and maintain appropriate teaching and play materials, as well as a safe and attractive environment in playrooms.

Incumbents in this series typically apply specialized concepts, principles and practices of child development therapy to reduce psychological stress and trauma in children resulting from medical treatment and hospitalization.

Class Concept

Child Development Associate

Under general supervision, incumbents perform the range of duties outlined in the Series Concept.

Minimum Qualifications

Incumbents for positions in the Child Development Associate series are expected to possess a Bachelor’s degree with a major in child development, early childhood education or child psychology; and possess the skills, knowledges, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Note: Specific qualification requirements are defined for the position by the appropriate user department