Child Life Specialist I

Cincinnati Children's; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Part time

Job summary

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati Children's) is seeking a part-time Child Life professional to perform psychosocial assessments, support families, and advocate for patient needs within the Child Life and Integrative Care division. Bachelor's degree and internship with a CLS are required, with CCLS certification expected within one year of hire.

The role emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, care planning, and education for patients across pediatric settings, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 0+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified CLS.
• CCLS within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Patient Care - Performs psychosocial assessments of patients and families functioning to identify strengths, concerns, and needs in order to set short and/or long-term goals. Facilitates family involvement. Supports patients and families in adjusting to injury, diagnosis, chronic illness or disability. Identifies and advocates for the needs of patients and families within the healthcare system and/or community. Evaluates effectiveness of child life interventions, and alters interventions based on results. Reports suspicions of abuse and neglect as mandated for investigation. Implements appropriate intervention strategies and style for individual patients/families to accomplish goals. Reviews and revises goals as appropriate. Conducts post-procedural assessment and/or intervention. Promotes and supports pain management. Documents services and/or interventions provided. Participates in patient care conferences and/or rounds. Follows up on referrals in a timely manner.
• Professional Responsibility - Supports and participates in process improvement activities. Seeks opportunities for involvement in evidence‑based care/professional inquiry and maintains designated knowledge level. Actively contributes to the advancement of professional tenets within the division, hospital, and/or community. Orients and supervises volunteers. Contributes to education and training of students and other professionals. Proactively shares knowledge with peers. Remains current in professional field. Acquires continuing education to increase professional growth. Integrates new knowledge and skills into practice.
• Departmental Responsibility - Submit requests for supplies according to departmental guidelines. Ensures that work areas are organized, safe and professional in appearance for employees, patients and families. Identifies potential problems, clears barriers, assumes ownership of problems, and solves problems at the lowest possible level demonstrating accountability of self and others. Manages time and priorities effectively. Effectively manages workload and resources to provide a fair, consistent and acceptable volume of work. Completes special assignments and projects while maintaining regular workflow. Strives to increase personal productivity by identifying and implementing new work procedures. Proactively contributes to a positive work environment.
• Data Management - Completes required daily/weekly exchange of information and documentation according to division guidelines to ensure quality patient care and staff productivity.
• Teamwork - Engages in multidisciplinary team process, actively participating in effective problem solving, collegial learning and pursuit of best practice. Deals with conflicts directly, constructively and tactfully. Promotes an atmosphere of cooperation, respect and trust within the team. Responsive to day‑to‑day needs of co‑workers and division.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified CLS

CCLS within one year of hire

Job description

Primary Location

Burnet Campus

Department

Child Life & Integrative Care

Shift

Day (United States of America)

Schedule

Part time

Weekly Hours

0

FTE

0

Employee Status

Stand By

• Expected Starting Pay Range $53,705.60 - $67,142.40
• Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

• Expected Starting Pay Range $53,705.60 - $67,142.40
• Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Job Responsibilities

• Patient Care - Performs psychosocial assessments of patients and families functioning to identify strengths, concerns, and needs in order to set short and/or long-term goals. Facilitates family involvement. Supports patients and families in adjusting to injury, diagnosis, chronic illness or disability. Identifies and advocates for the needs of patients and families within the healthcare system and/or community. Evaluates effectiveness of child life interventions, and alters interventions based on results. Reports suspicions of abuse and neglect as mandated for investigation. Implements appropriate intervention strategies and style for individual patients/families to accomplish goals. Reviews and revises goals as appropriate. Conducts post-procedural assessment and/or intervention. Promotes and supports pain management. Documents services and/or interventions provided. Participates in patient care conferences and/or rounds. Follows up on referrals in a timely manner.
• Professional Responsibility - Supports and participates in process improvement activities. Seeks opportunities for involvement in evidence‑based care/professional inquiry and maintains designated knowledge level. Actively contributes to the advancement of professional tenets within the division, hospital, and/or community. Orients and supervises volunteers. Contributes to education and training of students and other professionals. Proactively shares knowledge with peers. Remains current in professional field. Acquires continuing education to increase professional growth. Integrates new knowledge and skills into practice.
• Departmental Responsibility - Submit requests for supplies according to departmental guidelines. Ensures that work areas are organized, safe and professional in appearance for employees, patients and families. Identifies potential problems, clears barriers, assumes ownership of problems, and solves problems at the lowest possible level demonstrating accountability of self and others. Manages time and priorities effectively. Effectively manages workload and resources to provide a fair, consistent and acceptable volume of work. Completes special assignments and projects while maintaining regular workflow. Strives to increase personal productivity by identifying and implementing new work procedures. Proactively contributes to a positive work environment.
• Data Management - Completes required daily/weekly exchange of information and documentation according to division guidelines to ensure quality patient care and staff productivity.
• Teamwork - Engages in multidisciplinary team process, actively participating in effective problem solving, collegial learning and pursuit of best practice. Deals with conflicts directly, constructively and tactfully. Promotes an atmosphere of cooperation, respect and trust within the team. Responsive to day‑to‑day needs of co‑workers and division.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 0+ years of work experience in a related job discipline
• Completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified CLS
• CCLS within one year of hire

To meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families by providing education, preparation, procedural support, and play for the Division of Child Life and Integrative Care of a Medical Center dedicated to the care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.

Cincinnati Children's Is

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 10 best Children’s Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children’s Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH)Funding
• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation'sAmerica’s Most Innovative Companiesas noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employeras noted by theNational Organization on Disability
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by theAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability