Certified Child Life Specialist - PRN

About the role

The Child Life Specialist is a core member of the pediatric healthcare team, responsible for delivering developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed psychosocial care to pediatric patients, siblings, and families from birth through young adulthood.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct psychosocial care to support coping, adjustment, and emotional well-being of pediatric patients and families.
• Conducts individualized assessments to determine patient and family needs.
• Develops and implements care plans using developmentally appropriate interventions.
• Facilitates therapeutic play, coping strategies, and trauma-informed support.
• Provides support during crises, including bereavement and end-of-life care.
• Documents all clinical interactions and maintains accurate service statistics.
• Prepares children and families for medical experiences through developmentally appropriate education and coping support.
• Promotes normalization and emotional expression through structured and unstructured play.
• Advocates for the psychosocial needs of patients and families within the healthcare team.
• Enhances the hospital experience through therapeutic programming and special events.
• Contributes to the effective functioning of the child life department.
• Maintains professional standards and contributes to the growth of the field.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Life, or a field directly related to children and families from an accredited program.
• Must obtain Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) certification within 12 months of hire.
• Must obtain CPR certification within 12 months of hire.
• Completion of a Child Life Internship endorsed by the Child Life Council.

Skills

• Experience in a hospital setting working with pediatric patients and families.
• Ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed.
• Knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span.
• Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse. May be required to use physical restraints. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Balance, Bending Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing. Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Perform shift work, Maneuver weight of patients, Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision, Acuity - far, Acuity - near.