Child Life Specialist
About the role
Deliver direct patient care as a Pediatric Child Life Specialist, providing emotional and developmental support during hospitalization.
Assess pediatric patient and family needs to implement individualized care plans that improve coping, safety, and overall patient care outcomes.
Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team to ensure seamless care coordination and consistent support throughout treatment.
Provide therapeutic interventions that reduce anxiety, promote normal development, and enhance the hospital experience for pediatric patients.
Responsibilities
- Assess pediatric patient and family needs to implement individualized care plans that improve coping, safety, and overall patient care outcomes.
- Care for patients and families during hospitalization, providing emotional and developmental support.
- Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team to ensure seamless care coordination and consistent support throughout treatment.
- Provide therapeutic interventions that reduce anxiety, promote normal development, and enhance the hospital experience for pediatric patients.
Requirements
- Licensure / Certification / Registration: Child Life Professional obtained within 12 Months (1 year) of hire date or job transfer date required.
- Education: High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
- Additional Preferences: 600-hour Child Life clinical internship completed by start date.
Qualifications
- Licensure / Certification / Registration: Child Life Professional obtained within 12 Months (1 year) of hire date or job transfer date required.
- Education: High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate's degree/Technical degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
- Additional Preferences: 600-hour Child Life clinical internship completed by start date.
Skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively with children, adolescents, and families.
- Knowledge of child development and psychology.
- Experience with therapeutic interventions.
Benefits
Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options.
Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance.
Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays.
Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning.
Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources.
Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits.
Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more.
Pay
Commensurate with experience.
Schedule
Full Time | Monday-Friday | 8am-5pm
Life at Ascension
Where purpose meets opportunity
Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Benefits that help you thrive
- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
- Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
- Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
- Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
- Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
- Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
- Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more