Child and Adolescent Life Specialist - PRN

Goduke; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 34,440 - 55,104; Part time

Job summary

Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC is seeking a Child and Adolescent Life Specialist - PRN to provide psychosocial support to pediatric patients and families in the hospital setting. You will assess needs, deliver developmentally appropriate interventions, and work with the care team to promote coping and optimal development during the medical experience.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and CCLS within 6 months of hire, with strong communication in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Counseling, Special Education, Recreation Therapy, or related field.
• One year of experience working with hospitalized children as a Certified Child Life Specialist is preferred.
• Must obtain a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 6 months of hire.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess the emotional and medical needs of assigned patients and families to determine support during the medical experience.
• Formulate a plan of interaction based on assessments and present to the team at psychosocial rounds.
• Document all interactions in medical records.
• Provide play/recreational activities aligned with developmental needs.
• Prepare children and families for procedures to optimize understanding and coping.
• Maintain communication with physicians, nurses, and staff to coordinate patient care.
• Provide in-service training to students and staff to improve family-centered care.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Interviewing skills

Independent work

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Counseling, Special Education, Recreation Therapy, or related field

Job description

Child and Adolescent Life Specialist - PRN

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Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 271821

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Jul 30, 2026

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Flexible Coverage for Scheduled/Unscheduled Absences and Vacations

General Description of the Job Class

Provide a variety of interventions for pediatric patients and families to promote coping skills, emotional health, and optimal development in the hospital setting.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Assess the emotional and medical needs of assigned patients and families to determine the support needed during the medical experience. Formulate a plan of interaction based on the assessment of patient and family and present plan to team members at psychosocial rounds and team meetings. Document all interactions in medical record charts. Provide play/recreational activities for assigned patients consistent with developmental needs in order to normalize the environment and facilitate assessments.

Utilize developmentally appropriate methods for preparing children and families for diagnostic, treatment, and surgical procedures to optimize patients' understanding of their experience as well as their coping.

Participate in activities to support family-centered and comprehensive care. Maintain ongoing communication with physicians, nurses, unit and clinical staff in order to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care. Address and attempt to limit the disruptive effects of illness, clinic visits, and hospitalization.

Provide in-service training to students, other staff, and professional groups in order to improve the practice of family-centered, developmentally-appropriate, and psychosocially-sound health care.

Participate in programs for professional training and development; in order to enhance job performance. Perform other administrative and related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Counseling, Special Education, Recreation Therapy, or directly related field. Due to professional exemption, equivalent experience cannot be substituted for a bachelor's degree.

Experience

One year of experience working with hospitalized children as a Certified Child Life Specialist is preferred.

Additional Manager Preferences:

Completed an internship under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist

Graduated with a bachelor's degree in: Child Development, Family Studies, Healthcare Consumer Sciences, or another related field of study

Obtain a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 6 months of hire.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

A certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is required within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Interviewing Skills

Work independently with minimal supervision

Strong interpersonal skills

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

Ability to work independently and proactively

Team-oriented and flexible attitude

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.