Child Life Specialist

150 Shriners Hospitals for Children; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston seeks a Child Life Specialist to provide psychosocial support to pediatric patients and families using play, education, and preparation to reduce stress during hospitalization and procedures.

The role collaborates with an interdisciplinary team, documents in the EMR, and pursues ongoing certification and professional development. Strong communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are essential.

Qualifications

• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 6 months.
• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or Related Field.
• Preferred: 1 year of Child life experience.

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.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or Related Field

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.

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.

Please click here to learn more about our locations.

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.