Child Life Specialist - NICU - Ochsner Baptist - FT

Ochsner Health; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Health in New Orleans seeks a pediatric Child Life Specialist to deliver developmentally appropriate psychosocial interventions to children and families. You will assess needs, design coping strategies, and support families through medical procedures alongside a multidisciplinary team.

Required Bachelor’s in child life, child development, or psychology; internship with eligible CLS certification; BLS. Preferred Master’s; 1+ year pediatric experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in child life, child development, psychology, or related field.
• Preferred Master’s degree, or Advanced coursework in pediatric or developmental disciplines.
• Completion of accredited Child Life Internship with eligible to sit for Child Life Certification examination.
• 1+ year of experience in child life, child and family studies, child development, or related field.
• Preferred – 2+ year of clinical experience in pediatric healthcare setting.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Preferred – Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or obtained within designated timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Conducts developmental and psychosocial assessments to identify patient and family needs, and guide individualized care planning.
• Designs and implements therapeutic interventions to support coping and emotional expression.
• Provides procedural preparation and support to reduce anxiety and trauma associated with medical experiences.
• Educates families and caregivers on coping strategies and developmental needs.
• Collaborates with physicians, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary team members to support coordinated patient-centered care.
• Maintains clinical documentation in accordance with organizational and professional standards.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to Child Life Assistant and Interns during clinical and program activities.
• Participates in interdisciplinary committees, quality initiatives, and program development efforts to enhance patient and family outcomes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job description

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job– it’s a calling. It’s waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job serves as an integral clinical member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, delivering developmentally appropriate, evidence-based psychosocial interventions to pediatric patients and families. Provides independent therapeutic support to reduce emotional distress, strengthen coping skills, and promote positive healthcare experiences. Collaborates with providers and care teams to support patient and family education, procedural preparation, and patient-centered initiatives that enhance clinical outcomes and the overall care environment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Education

Required – Bachelor’s degree in child life, child development, psychology, or related field.

Preferred – Master’s degree, or Advanced coursework in pediatric or developmental disciplines.

Work Experience

Required –Completion of accredited Child Life Internship with eligible to sit for Child Life Certification examination.

1+ year of experience in child life, child and family studies, child development, or related field.

Preferred – 2+ year of clinical experience in pediatric healthcare setting.

Certifications

Required – Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Preferred – Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or obtained within designated timeframe.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal with patients, families, multidisciplinary team members, departmental peers, and community agency personnel effectively and courteously.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and a professional relationship with patients and families.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability) and travel throughout and between facilities.

Job Duties

• Conducts developmental and psychosocial assessments to identify patient and family needs, and guide individualized care planning.
• Designs and implements therapeutic interventions to support coping and emotional expression.
• Provides procedural preparation and support to reduce anxiety and trauma associated with medical experiences.
• Educates families and caregivers on coping strategies and developmental needs.
• Collaborates with physicians, nursing staff, and multidisciplinary team members to support coordinated patient-centered care.
• Maintains clinical documentation in accordance with organizational and professional standards.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to Child Life Assistant and Interns during clinical and program activities.
• Participates in interdisciplinary committees, quality initiatives, and program development efforts to enhance patient and family outcomes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations, and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.