Career Center

The Child Life Specialist is dedicated to providing emotional support and therapeutic interventions for children and their families in various medical and healthcare settings. This role focuses on minimizing the psychological and emotional impact of illness, hospitalization, and medical procedures on young patients, helping them cope with the challenges they face.

Educational Requirements and Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree required or Master’s degree preferred in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology or related field 
• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) thorough the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Minimum of 1 yr. of experience as a CCLS

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Emotional Support: Build strong rapport with pediatric patients and their families to provide emotional support, reduce anxiety, and alleviate fears associated with medical procedures and hospitalization.
2. Therapeutic Play: Develop and implement age-appropriate play and activities that promote emotional expression, stress reduction, and normalcy for children in healthcare environments.
3. Preparation and Education: Prepare children for medical procedures using developmentally appropriate language and play techniques to help them understand what to expect, thereby reducing anxiety and enhancing their sense of control.
4. Family Inclusion: Collaborate with families to address their concerns, educate them about their child's emotional and developmental needs, and provide guidance on how to support their child during challenging times.
5. Psychosocial Assessments: Conduct assessments to understand a child's emotional and psychological needs, allowing for the development of personalized interventions and care plans.
6. Pain Management: Implement techniques and activities that help children manage pain and discomfort, fostering a sense of empowerment and control over their experiences.
7. Sibling Support: Assist siblings of hospitalized children by providing appropriate activities, education, and emotional support to help them understand and cope with their sibling's illness.
8. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with medical teams, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to patient care.
9. Bereavement Support: Offer emotional support and counseling to families facing loss, helping them navigate grief and coping strategies during difficult times.
10. Documentation: Maintain thorough and accurate records of interventions, assessments, and interactions with patients and families, ensuring continuity of care and proper communication within the healthcare team.

This is a part time position working 10 hours per week. 

About Pediatric Specialty Care at Philadelphia

For more than two decades, Pediatric Specialty Care has been successfully caring for medically fragile and technology-dependent children. The goal of Pediatric Specialty Care is to enable children with special needs to realize their fullest potential in a nurturing and supportive environment. Our passionate team of pediatric care specialists work with each individual to help navigate their unique journey and celebrate every victory along the way. From accomplishing small, but miraculous achievements to transitioning a child back to their family’s home, our comprehensive pediatric care team is deeply committed to the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the children in our care and their loved ones.

Connections working at Pediatric Specialty Care at Philadelphia