Child Life Specialist

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The #1 Hospital in Virginia seeks a Child Life Specialist to join the Child Life Team. This role is dedicated to supporting the emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients and their families. Responsibilities include therapeutic play, assessments, and educational support aimed at minimizing anxiety and enhancing coping around healthcare experiences. The position offers a competitive hourly pay rate and requires relevant educational qualifications along with certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field.
• Completion of a Child Life internship of at least 480 hours required.
• Child Life Professional Certification required within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assess and support pediatric patients and their families.
• Facilitate therapeutic play and prepare children for medical procedures.
• Maintain accurate records and meet annual training requirements.

Skills

Therapeutic play

Assessment

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, or related field

Completion of minimum 480 hour Child Life Internship

Job description

This is your opportunity to be a part of the #1 Hospital in Virginia. Functioning as a member of the Child Life Team, a child life specialist collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to meet the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and their families. This role focuses on the emotional social and developmental needs of hospitalized children and adolescents. The Child Life Specialist is responsible for assessing, educating, preparing and supporting patients during their healthcare experience. The goal of a Child Life Specialist is to increase coping and decrease stress, anxiety and trauma associated with hospitalization.

This professional works with ill or injured children and adolescents across the continuum of care to ease the anxiety and stress that accompanies illness injury or chronic conditions.

We have openings in:
- Pediatric Outpatient Surgical Center (6:00AM-2:30PM, Monday-Friday)
- Inpatient Pediatric Acute Care (8 hour shifts, Monday-Friday)
- Starting Pay is $24.52

• Recognize and address the importance of therapeutic play in facilitating children’s mastery of and coping with health care experiences.
• Appropriately observe and assess patient and family learning style diagnostic understanding and needs.
• Prepare children and families for medical procedures.
• Facilitate supervised medical play opportunities for patients and their siblings to support coping skills.
• Assist patients with chronic illnesses and their families in coping with diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization and loss.
• Treats children, patient families and team members with dignity and respect.
• Establishes relationships with team members and families that reflect the key elements of family-centered care.
• Functions as an effective team member working with administration team membersand volunteersto ensure that appropriate parties are kept informed and those individual and collaborative assignments/responsibilities are met.
• Maintains records.
• Meets training requirements on an annual basis.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Position Compensation Range: $21.95 - $34.02 Hourly

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field required. Completion of minimum of 480 hour Child Life Internship required.

Experience: Successful completion of child life internship required

Licensure: Child Life Professional Certification within one year of hire required. American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS certification required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequently bending/stooping. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs. May be exposed to noise, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.