Child Life Assistant

About the role

Join a team where compassion meets purpose every single day. You'll have the profound opportunity to transform some of the most challenging moments in a child's life into experiences of hope, comfort, and resilience. This isn't just a job—it's a calling to be the steady, caring presence that children and families need during their cancer journey. You'll deliver vital family support while collaborating closely with oncology patient navigators, social workers, providers, and foundations to ensure comprehensive, holistic care. When needed, you'll support other child life specialists across departments, bringing your specialized skills wherever they're needed most.

Schedule

Wednesday through Saturday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Responsibilities

• Trains and supervises volunteers, including university students completing volunteer hours as part of their course of study surrounding child development, pediatric nursing, etc. Includes orientation, supervision, and recognition of volunteers of all ages and walks of life, providing training specific to the needs of the hospitalized child, ensuring a safe environment for pediatric patients, and effective use of volunteer time. Also encompasses networking with community groups and organizations to nurture relationships and draw volunteer talent in exchange for rewarding experience and education.
• Monitors and maintains safe, organized, and clean playroom, toys, and other materials used to provide activities for children. Includes following infection control policies and procedures to maintain regulatory standards, and teaching these procedures to volunteers. Knowledgeable about isolation practices and educates volunteers and visitors about these practices and the reasons for them.
• Assists in planning and conducting group activities in the playroom and individual activities in the patient's room. Activities must be tailored to the specific developmental needs of hospitalized children.
• Interacts with potential donor groups regarding the needs of hospitalized children, the children’s medical center, and how they can help. Provides tours, receives donations, determines appropriateness and prepares for use. Professionally acknowledges all donations.
• Assists with detailed planning of events, hosts and monitors visits from entertainers, community groups, or others interested in helping our patients. Assists with the maintenance of patient confidentiality and safety throughout these visits.
• Provides education to community groups wishing to learn about the developmental needs of hospitalized patients.
• Provides assistance to nursing staff with high need patients. Assesses needs of hospitalized children, and communicates in a developmentally appropriate manner. Interactions with children and families reflect an understanding of growth and development, family centered care, and of the potential stress associated with illness, injury and the health care experience. Knowledgeable about available resources and provides assistance with coping through identification and use of these resources.
• Although based in pediatrics, incumbents may be called to serve in any area of the hospital where there are children, including emergency services areas, surgery and waiting areas for the adult units.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree or equivalent in a related area.
• 1 year of experience in working with children.
• Must demonstrate responsibility, flexibility, and sensitivity to children.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Preferred qualifications

• Hospital pediatric experience, special education or experience working with developmentally disabled children is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related area is preferred.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.