Child Life Specialist

Shriners Children’s Northern California – Overview

Shriners Children’s is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. Named as the 2025 best mid-sized employer by Forbes, we are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidence-based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.

All employees are eligible for medical coverage on their first day. In addition, upon hire all employees are eligible for a 403(b) and Roth 403(b) Retirement Saving Plan with matching contributions of up to 6% after one year of service. Employees in a FT or PT status (40+ hours per pay period) will also be eligible for paid time off, life insurance, short term and long-term disability and the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans and a Health Savings Account (HSA) if a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is elected.

Additional benefits available to FT and PT employees include tuition reimbursement, home & auto, hospitalization, critical illness, pet insurance and more. Coverage is available to employees and their qualified dependents in accordance with the plans. Benefits may vary based on state law.

Shriners Children’s Northern California – Clinical Leadership

Shriners Children’s Northern California is proud to be nationally ranked as a leader in pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report, in partnership with UC Davis Children’s Hospital. As an ACS-verified Level I Children’s Surgery Center, we are committed to providing world-class care in a family-centered environment. Our state-of-the-art facility specializes in orthopedics, rehabilitation, burns, pediatric surgery and cleft lip and palate services, transforming the lives of thousands of children every year from around the world.

Joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to innovation, collaboration and making a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their families. At Shriners Children’s Northern California, you’ll find a supportive community, opportunities for growth, and the chance to contribute to life-changing work every day.

Position
Child Life Specialist

Type
Per diem (as needed basis) and health insurance eligible.

Compensation
The pay range for this position is $38.47 - $54.31/hour. Compensation is determined based on years of experience and departmental equity.

Responsibilities

• Performs a comprehensive assessment of the child’s development, temperament, coping style, medical plan and available social supports to develop an individualized treatment plan; utilizes therapeutic play techniques as a diagnostic and treatment tool.
• Utilizes developmentally appropriate methods to prepare children and/or families for diagnostic and treatment procedures. Utilizes stress reduction techniques to facilitate adaptive coping and provides emotional support during identified stress points.
• Facilitates a therapeutic play program in cooperation with the Activities Coordinators promoting self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery; involves family and patient in selection of treatment goals, plans and implementation of daily child life activities.
• Maintains a working relationship with parents and families and provides supportive services to the entire family unit. Supports family bonds and utilizes family strengths in the care of the child. Provides parent education in the area of child development and collaborates with families regarding patients goals, progress and discharge plan.
• Plans, coordinates, implements, and/or supervises activities for patients including special events, outside group entertainment, patient birthday parties, as well as in-house group programs such as arts and crafts, expressive arts, medical play, baking group, preschool play and other recreation and diversionary/non-structured activities in the Therapeutic Recreation/Child Life Department.
• Supports the School re-entry program by working cooperatively with the team in preparing patients for re-entry to their home schools. When appropriate, travels to the patient’s home school to directly implement the re-entry.
• Plans and coordinates therapeutic outings with the TR Specialist as appropriate for patient care.

This is not an all-inclusive list of this job’s responsibilities. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Required

• Bachelors Degree
• Child Life Certificate, or proof of eligibility
• CPR

Preferred

• Masters Degree
• Previous experience working with hospitalized and health children
• Background in Child Development, Child Life, Psychology, or similar field