Child Life Specialist I, Full-Time, Evenings

UChicago Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

UChicago Medicine seeks a Child Life Specialist to work in Comer Children’s Hospital, providing developmental support to children coping with healthcare challenges. Responsibilities include assessing psychosocial needs and facilitating therapeutic interventions through play and activities.

A Bachelor’s degree in child life and relevant internship experience are required. The position is full-time, evenings only, with a commitment to supporting children's emotional well-being during medical treatment.

Qualifications

• An internship in a child life program over 500 hours.
• Certification eligible as a Child Life Specialist.
• One to two years’ work experience with infants, children or adolescents.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients/families’ psychosocial and developmental needs.
• Facilitate therapeutic interventions through play and art activities.
• Document weekly Child Life interventions.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Knowledge of human development

Education

Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in child life

Master’s Degree with a concentration in child life

Job description

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Child Life Specialist in Comer Children’s Hospital in our NICU/Family Birth Center Department. In this role, the Child Life Specialist will work throughout the hospital offering support for children and families to help them cope with injuries and illnesses. Our focus is on each child’s psychological and developmental needs to help them feel more comfortable in the hospital. We use a wide range of medical dolls, teaching tools and resources to prepare each child for procedures, surgeries and treatments, and provide many opportunities for kids to play and socialize with other young people in the hospital.

Essential Job Functions

• Assess patients/families’ psychosocial and developmental needs within the context of their adjustment to the healthcare setting.
• Facilitate appropriate interventions through individual and group play/art activities, therapeutic activities/medical play, preparation for procedures, surgeries and potentially stressful events.
• Formulate treatment goals.
• Document weekly Child Life interventions and services on weekly reports and computer census. Document in patient’s medical chart adhering to departmental policy.
• Order, stock, and maintain supplies; maintain play areas with developmentally appropriate toys/activities that are clean and safe.
• Initiate and implement new programs/projects as assigned by Director of Child Life.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in child life.
• An internship in a child life program over 500 hours.
• Certification eligible as a Child Life Specialist and acquired with one year of employment.
• One to two years’ work experience with infants, children or adolescents.
• Knowledge and skills to utilize theoretical constructs of human development for assessment and intervention for infants through teenagers.
• Interpersonal skills to establish therapeutic relationships with children and their families, and effective communication.
• Analytical skills to identify and solve problems within a constantly changing and stressful environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree with a concentration in child life.
• Hospital setting work experience as a Child Life Specialist.
• Child Life Specialist certification.

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full‑Time, 1.0 FTE
• Shift: Evenings, Sunday–Wednesday, 4/10‑hour shifts, 10:00 am–8:30 pm
• Work Location: Onsite
• Unit/Department: Child Life
• CBA Code: Non‑Union

The schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, with evenings between 10:00 am and 8:30 pm, 100% at the Hyde Park campus. The days of the week that you are scheduled will be Sunday–Wednesday, and you will not be scheduled for on‑call shifts.

EEO Statement

UChicago Medicine is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and other legally protected characteristics.

As a condition of employment, all employees are required to complete a pre‑employment physical, background check, drug screening, and comply with the flu vaccination requirements prior to hire. Medical and religious exemptions will be considered for flu vaccination consistent with applicable law.

Compensation & Benefits Overview

UChicago Medicine is committed to transparency in compensation and benefits. The pay range provided reflects the anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. The pay range is based on a full‑time equivalent (1.0 FTE) and is reflective of current market data, reviewed on an annual basis. Compensation offered at the time of hire will vary based on candidate qualifications and experience and organizational considerations, such as internal equity. Pay ranges for employees subject to Collective Bargaining Agreements are negotiated by the medical center and their respective union. Review the full complement of benefit options for eligible roles at Benefits – UChicago Medicine.