Child Life Specialist

Houston Hospice; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Hospice is seeking a compassionate Child Life Specialist to join our interdisciplinary care team in Houston, TX. You will support pediatric patients and their families through developmentally appropriate emotional and psychosocial care, education, and memory-making activities.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, ACLP coursework, a 600-hour internship, and CPR/BLS certification. Experience or bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field required.
• ACLP-endorsed child life coursework required.
• Completion of a 600-hour supervised child life internship required.
• Current Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or eligibility to obtain within 6–12 months of hire.
• Current CPR/BLS certification required.
• Valid driver’s license and transportation.
• Strong communication, organizational, and clinical documentation skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR).

Responsibilities

• Provide developmentally appropriate emotional and psychosocial support to pediatric hospice patients from infancy through young adulthood.
• Assess coping, developmental needs, and emotional well-being to develop individualized care plans.
• Help children and families understand illness, end-of-life experiences, and grief.
• Facilitate legacy-building activities, memory-making projects, keepsakes, and life reviews.
• Prepare children and families for procedures and care transitions with age-appropriate communication.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other team members.
• Participate in IDG meetings and maintain timely clinical documentation.
• Educate clinical team on child development, pediatric communication, and family-centered care.
• Provide bereavement resources guidance to families.
• Supervise child life volunteers and interns as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Clinical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, or closely related field

ACLP-endorsed child life coursework

600-hour supervised child life internship

Current CCLS credential or eligibility within 6–12 months

CPR/BLS certification

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Child Life Specialist

Full Time Full-Time Professional Houston, TX, US

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1186

Make a Difference When It Matters Most

At Houston Hospice, we believe every child and family deserves compassionate, individualized support during life's most challenging moments. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionateChild Life Specialist to join our interdisciplinary care team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of pediatric patients and their families.

In this rewarding role, you will help children and families navigate the emotional, developmental, and psychosocial challenges associated with life-limiting illnesses and end-of-life care. Through therapeutic interventions, creative expression, education, and memory-making activities, you will provide comfort, foster meaningful connections, and help families create lasting memories.

What You'll Do

• Provide developmentally appropriate emotional and psychosocial support to pediatric hospice patients, from infancy through young adulthood.
• Assess patients' and families' coping abilities, developmental needs, and emotional well-being to develop individualized care plans.
• Help children, siblings, and family members understand and process serious illness, end-of-life experiences, and grief.
• Facilitate meaningful legacy-building activities, including memory-making projects, keepsakes, and life reviews.
• Prepare children and families for medical procedures, changes in condition, and care transitions using compassionate, age-appropriate communication.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other interdisciplinary team members to deliver comprehensive, family-centered care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings and maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation.
• Educate clinical team members on child development, pediatric communication and family-centered care practices.
• Support families following the loss of a loved one, including memorial preparation and coordination of bereavement resources.
• Provide guidance to child life volunteers and interns, as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, or a closely related field.
• Completion of Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)-endorsed child life coursework.
• Completion of a 600-hour supervised child life clinical internship.
• Current Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential through ACLP, or eligibility to obtain certification within 6–12 months of hire.
• Current CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance.
• Strong communication, organizational, and clinical documentation skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience as a practicing Child Life Specialist.
• Experience supporting pediatric patients and families in hospice, palliative care, or serious illness settings.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

What Makes You a Great Fit

You are a compassionate professional who understands that caring for a child with a life-limiting illness means supporting the entire family. You approach sensitive conversations with empathy, communicate effectively and bring creativity and emotional resilience to challenging situations.

You thrive in a collaborative environment, value interdisciplinary teamwork, and are passionate