Child Life Specialist

Ascension; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Disability benefits

EAP

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Community involvement

Job summary

Ascension is seeking a Pediatric Child Life Specialist at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, TX. The role focuses on delivering direct patient care and emotional support to pediatric patients and families in a hospital setting.

The candidate will assess needs, develop individualized care plans, and coordinate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care and developmentally appropriate interventions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 600-hour Child Life internship completed by start date.
• Child Life Professional certification obtained within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Deliver direct patient care as a Pediatric Child Life Specialist to support emotional and developmental needs during hospitalization.
• Assess pediatric patient and family needs to implement individualized care plans improving coping and safety.
• Coordinate care with the interdisciplinary team to ensure seamless support throughout treatment.

Skills

Empathy & Communication

Pediatric patient care

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree

600-hour Child Life internship

Child Life certification eligibility within 12 months

Job description

Your future role at a glance

Location: Austin, TX

Facility:Dell Children's Medical Center

Department/Specialty:Pediatric Support Services

Schedule:Full-time | Day shift | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Monday–Friday

How you'll make an impact in this 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.

What minimum qualifications you'll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• Child Life Professional obtained within 12 Months (1 year) of hire date or job transfer date required.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required.

What additional requirements you'll need

• 600-hour Child Life clinical internship completed by start date.

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. 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.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.

Benefits

• Paid time off (PTO)
• Various health insurance options & wellness plans
• Retirement benefits including employer match plans
• Long-term & short-term disability
• Employee assistance programs (EAP)
• Parental leave & adoption assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ways to give back to your community

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.