Child Life Specialist

Shriners Children's; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Child Life Specialist at Shriners Hospitals for Children delivers comprehensive psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families, using play, education, and preparation to reduce stress during hospitalization and procedures.

Responsibilities include planning with the care team, maintaining professional standards, and pursuing ongoing education to sustain certification and clinical skills.

Qualifications

• CCLS certification within 6 months.
• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field.
• 1 year of Child life experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial support to pediatric patients and families using play, education and preparation.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning to align with policy and professional standards.
• Pursue ongoing professional development through conferences and continuing education to maintain certification.
• Conduct individualized assessments to tailor treatment plans based on development, temperament and cultural preferences.

Skills

CCLS certification

1 year of Child life experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life / Child Development

Job description

Company Overview

Shriners Children’s is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. Named as the 2025 best mid-sized employer by Forbes, we are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.

Company Overview

Shriners Children’s is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. Named as the 2025 best mid-sized employer by Forbes, we are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families. With 20+ hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe, we provide excellent care to children up to age 18 regardless of their family’s ability to pay or insurance status.

CURRENT EMPLOYEES

Job Description

The Child Life Specialist at Shriners Hospitals for Children provides comprehensive psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families, utilizing play, education, and preparation to minimize stress and promote positive coping during hospitalization and medical procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrates competency in assessment and utilization of therapeutic play techniques, in an age-appropriate manner to formulate a treatment plan for optimal level of improvement, positive outcomes, and a period for meeting short and long-term goals. Utilizes electronic medical record applications to document relevant patient and family information.
• Participates in interdisciplinary patient care planning. Ensures that intervention is compliant with department policy and the professional standards of practice.
• Demonstrates the responsibility for ongoing personal development, professional growth and continuing education by participation in professional conferences, educational sessions to expand knowledge base and clinical skills, maintain Child Life certification and other necessary certification required.
• The child life specialist performs an individualized assessment to collect comprehensive and accurate data necessary to assess development, temperament, coping style, medical plan cultural preferences & practices, and available social supports in order to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Required Qualifications

• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 6 month
• Bachelor’s degree in child Life, Child Development or Related Field

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year of Child life experience

Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.