Child Life Specialist

WakeMed; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

WakeMed in Raleigh, NC is seeking a Child Life Specialist to support pediatric patients and families across their healthcare journey. The role emphasizes psychosocial, developmental, and cognitive assessments, plus education and coping strategies.

You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver family-centered care and mentor students and volunteers, contributing to educational materials and community outreach.

Qualifications

• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or able to obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experienced in supporting the developmental, emotional, and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and families.
• Skilled at building collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary teams, patients, families, students, and volunteers.
• Strong communicator with the ability to develop educational resources and provide guidance in a clinical setting.
• Committed to compassionate, family-centered care and continuous professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Assess the psychosocial, developmental, and cognitive needs of pediatric patients and develop appropriate child life interventions.
• Provide preparation, education, coping support, alternative focus activities, and developmental care to help children and families navigate medical experiences.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to support patient and family-centered care.
• Serve as a resource and mentor for child life students and volunteers while contributing to departmental initiatives, educational materials, and community outreach programs.
• Coordinate special visitors, in-kind donations, and other activities that enhance the pediatric patient experience.

Skills

CCLS certification

Pediatric psychosocial support

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Educational resource development

Family-centered care

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life or Family Studies

Job description

OverviewAt WakeMed, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our community and we do it by delivering outstanding, compassionate care.

OverviewAt WakeMed, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our community and we do it by delivering outstanding, compassionate care.

We are hiring a Child Life Specialist to support pediatric patients and their families throughout their healthcare journey. In this role, you will assess the psychosocial, developmental, and cognitive needs of children while providing education, coping support, therapeutic activities, and developmental care. You will work closely with interdisciplinary team members, patients, families, students, volunteers, and community partners to create a positive and supportive hospital experience.

What you'll do

• Assess the psychosocial, developmental, and cognitive needs of pediatric patients and develop appropriate child life interventions.
• Provide preparation, education, coping support, alternative focus activities, and developmental care to help children and families navigate medical experiences.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to support patient and family-centered care.
• Serve as a resource and mentor for child life students and volunteers while contributing to departmental initiatives, educational materials, and community outreach programs.
• Coordinate special visitors, in-kind donations, and other activities that enhance the pediatric patient experience.

Who you are

• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or able to obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• Experienced in supporting the developmental, emotional, and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and families.
• Skilled at building collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary teams, patients, families, students, and volunteers.
• Strong communicator with the ability to develop educational resources and provide guidance in a clinical setting.
• Committed to compassionate, family-centered care and continuous professional growth.

Department Description

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is the leading provider of health services in Wake County. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of our community, we are committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

EOE

Licensure

Not Applicable

Education

Bachelor's Degree Child Life Required - Or Bachelor's Degree Family Studies Required

Experience

1 Year Clinical - Child-Life Program Preferred 1 Year Fellowship/Internship/Residency - Related Area Preferred