Child Life Specialist (Full Time)

Navianhawaii; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 38,407 - 49,207; Full time

Job summary

Navian Hawai‘i seeks a Child Life Specialist to promote a healing environment for children and families as they cope with life‑threatening illness, through assessment, advocacy, and education. The role requires travel across Oahu to patient homes and facilities, with typical hours Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

and occasional weekend/night work. The position emphasizes collaboration with an inter-disciplinary team, developmentally appropriate care, and compassionate support for families

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Psychology is required.
• Valid Hawaii Licensed Clinical Social Worker preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of recent health care experience; hospice experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with care team to develop and implement a specialized plan of care by assessing and identifying developmental, temperament, coping style, social, sensory, and emotional needs.
• Identifies, educates, and supports developmentally appropriate coping strategies with children and families facing illness, disability, and death/loss.
• Plans, organizes, and leads individuals/groups in creative expression, self-healing, and developmental play; encourages socialization with peers, siblings, and family through developmentally appropriate play activities.
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team by integrating child life goals into total care during team meetings and staff meetings.
• Provides a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for infants, children, adolescents, and families.
• Responds to crisis situations appropriately to ensure ongoing safety.
• Implements developmentally appropriate legacy and memory activities for the child and/or siblings facing end of life.
• Communicates with nursing staff about plans, interventions, and progress issues affecting care.
• Maintains accurate patient records in accordance with protocols.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Independent work

Holistic care

Ethical conduct

Policy compliance

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work or Psychology

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Hawaii) preferred

Job description

Child Life Specialist

Promotes a healthy, healing environment for children and their families as they cope with life‑threatening illness through assessment, advocacy, and education. They will proactively support efforts that ensure delivery of developmentally appropriate care in addition to promoting a safe environment throughout service.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborates with appropriate care team members, contributing to the development and implementation of a specialized plan of care by assessing and identifying developmental, temperament, copying style, social, sensory, and emotional needs
• Identifies, educates, and supports the use of developmentally appropriate coping strategies with children and families facing illness, disability, and/or death/loss
• Plans, organizes, and leads individuals/groups in creative expression, self‑healing, and developmental play. Encourages socialization whenever possible, with peers, siblings, and family members through developmentally appropriate play activities
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team by integrating child life goals into total care of the child/family during team meetings, interdisciplinary case conferences, and staff meetings
• Provides a safe, therapeutic, and healing environment for infants, children, adolescents, and families
• Responds to crisis situations appropriately, effectively, and calmly to ensure ongoing safety of children/families
• Implementation of developmentally appropriate legacy and memory activities for the child and/or siblings facing end of life, to allow expression of feelings, and inclusion in the process
• Communicates on an ongoing basis with nursing staff as to plans, interventions, and progress issues that impact physical care/status of child and family
• Maintains current, accurate patient records in accordance with established protocols
• Performs other duties as required / Other duties as assigned

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

• Outstanding communication, education, and customer service skills
• Ability to prioritize, solve problems, manage multiple tasks, and work independently
• Ability to collaborate with others on the interdisciplinary team with community partners
• Skilled in providing holistic care to patients and their families
• Ability to identify and address psychosocial needs
• Demonstrates ethical conduct and judgement that is in harmony with the mission and values of Navian Hawai’i
• Adheres to all policies, procedures, and regulations regarding patient care, conduct, safety, fire, security, risk management, and personnel policies

Experience and Education Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Psychology from an accredited school
• Valid Clinical Social Worker License in the State of Hawaii preferred
• 2 years of recent experience in health care required
  • Hospice experience preferred

Employment Requirements

• A legally compliant background check
• Drug screen & physical exam
• Valid Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation with valid registration and insurance
• TB clearance
• CPR BLS Certification

Working Conditions

• Indoors in patient homes or Hospice Hawai’i homes, nursing, and acute care facilities; may include outdoors in all types of weather

Work Location

This position is based in the field, requiring travel to patient homes, facilities, and offices throughout Oahu using a personal motor vehicle

Hours

• Generally, Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm
  • Position may require weekend, night, or holiday availability

Salary

$27.88-$35.72 Hourly