Therapeutic Gaming Specialists

Summary of Role

Therapeutic Gaming & Technology Specialists play a crucial role in supporting Child Life and hospital staff by implementing, managing, and enhancing patient-facing gaming and technology services in the hospital setting. Numerous hospitals recognize the benefits of utilizing video games and related technology throughout a patient's stay to address normalization, socialization, coping, pain management, and more. The Game Tech Specialist excels in delivering therapeutic experiences through video games and technology while efficiently maintaining the gaming program's infrastructure.

Tailoring their roles to meet the unique needs of each facility, Game Tech Specialists may extend their responsibilities to areas such as CCTV programming and other hospital-wide media forms. The allocation of hours varies, with some specialists primarily engaged in direct patient care and the rest dedicated to equipment support. Three common versions of Game Tech Specialists include Patient-focused, Equipment/Program-focused, and Hybrid Patient & Program roles.

Example Job Titles & Descriptions

Titles

Job titles vary greatly within the field, but remain similar to any of the following examples:

• Therapeutic Gaming and Technology Specialist
• Gaming Technology Specialist
• Patient Technology Coordinator
• Child Life Gaming and Technology Specialist
• Program Coordinator
• Recreation Technology Specialist
• Patient Technology Support Specialist
• Media Coordinator

Primary Role

The key responsibilities of Gaming Technology-centered roles encompass the following areas:

1. Knowledge & Maintenance of Technology Equipment:
   • Stay updated on gaming systems, platforms, and new technology.
   • Deploy, update, troubleshoot, and repair gaming technology systems and related equipment.
2. Therapeutic Interventions:
   • Provide developmentally appropriate gaming and technology opportunities to encourage patient expression, reduce anxiety, and normalize the hospital experience.
   • Conduct 1:1 bedside gaming sessions, group gaming sessions, virtual activities, or independent gaming time.
3. Train and Support Healthcare Teams:
   • Collaborate with healthcare staff to provide assessments and recommendations for gaming/technology interventions.
   • Lead training sessions for onboarding new staff into the gaming program.
4. Documentation/Data Collection:
   • Accurately document interventions, detailing sessions with patients and their outcomes.
   • Collect data and metrics to track the usage and impact of the role.
5. Innovation and Growth:
   • Build partnerships with internal and external organizations for new and impactful gaming and technology programs.
   • Use technology creatively within the hospital environment related to patient care.

Supporting Healthcare Teams | Examples

• Educating and training Child Life and hospital staff on video game equipment usage inpatient interventions.
• Collaborating in co-treat opportunities with Physical and Occupational Therapy teams for innovative treatments.
• Producing and delivering CCTV programming.
• Suggesting specific games to care teams for scenarios like pain management, anxiety reduction, grief, physical activity, or cognitive impairment.

Direct Patient Care | Examples

• Conducting 1:1 bedside gaming sessions.
• Enabling the use of personal gaming equipment in hospital rooms.
• Engaging in 3D printing projects for memory-making, legacy building, and mastery.
• Advocating for patient control in their hospital experience.
• Providing social support through engaging conversations about game culture interests.
• Facilitating multiplayer opportunities to connect patients within the hospital.

Professional Development Opportunities

• Pediatric Gaming Technology Symposium
• Professional Conferences
• Certifications and Learning Paths

Child's Play Hospital Grant Application

Organizations that have funded Pediatric Game Technology Specialist.

• Child's Play Charity
• Dunkin Joy Foundation