Child Life Specialist

Job Description - Child Life Specialist (250003EA)

Child Life Specialist - ( 250003EA )

The Child Life Specialist provides essential therapeutic support, developmentally appropriate education, and play‑based interventions to promote the physical, emotional, and developmental well‑being of pediatric patients. Under general supervison, this role focuses on reducing stress, anxiety, and trauma for children and their families by supporting coping, enhancing understanding of medical experiences, and advocating for family‑centered care throughout the healthcare journey.

• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Required)
• Master's Degree Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Preferred)

• Completion of Child Life Internship (minimum 600 hours) and all internship prerequisites including, but not limited to volunteer hours and Child Life Practicum. (Required)
• Candidate must be certified or eligible for Child Life Certification. (Required)

• Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development based on the theories of development, including but not limited to Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, and Vygotsky
• Knowledge of age‑appropriate play and ability to utilize play as a mechanism for patient‑understanding of the hospital environment and experiences
• Ability to assess patient’s development and response to hospital environment and provide developmentally appropriate interventions
• Ability to discuss medical experiences in age‑appropriate, child‑friendly language
• Understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and knowledge of medical terminology
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Ability to comfortably work with internal and external customers from diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to identify and work collaboratively with diverse teams.
• Ability to listen, be empathetic, motivate and follow‑through, and eager to seize challenges and resolve issues

• Assesses patients’ development, temperament, coping style, and adjustment using knowledge of child development and behavior, disease/injury, treatment, healthcare stressors, cultural and family systems
• Uses knowledge and resources to create developmental plan and implement appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions.
• Provides therapeutic interactions and activities which offer emotional support, opportunities for continued growth and development, and diversion from the hospital experience
• Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self‑expression, and coping
• Uses preparation and medical play opportunities to help alleviate misconceptions and increase understanding of hospital procedures
• Provides procedural support to patients in order to foster increased coping skills and evaluates effectiveness of interventions to better inform and individualize future support
• Provides education and support to siblings and parents related to hospital visits, effects of hospitalization, procedures, new diagnoses, etc.
• Prioritizes own caseload daily in order to meet both child and departmental needs
• Participates in the weekday, weekend, and on‑call rotation, as assigned
• Regularly maintains patient care documentation in accordance with standards
• Fosters environment for patients and families to feel heard and understood, anticipates patient and family needs, and ensures needs are met.
• Collaborates with child life team and other professionals to provide activities, special visitors, events, and entertainment to patients and families hospital‑wide
• Encourages and coordinates patients’ and families’ participation in activities and special events to support normalization and coping
• Supports and chaperones special visitors to assigned areas of hospital
• Assists child life team, assigned area of hospital, or department with intake…