Child Life Specialist Pediatric Outpatient Oncology

MUSC Health; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Child Life Specialist at MUSC Health provides psychosocial support to pediatric patients and families in an outpatient oncology clinic, applying child life expertise within a multidisciplinary team. The role emphasizes developmentally appropriate information, therapeutic play, and family-centered care to promote coping and wellbeing.

Responsibilities include collaborating with clinicians, advocating for resources, and developing department projects while supporting patients and caregivers

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Child Life Certification required.
• Pediatric oncology experience preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work in stressful environments with emotional sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial support to patients and families throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
• Utilize developmentally appropriate information and therapeutic play to ease procedures and coping.
• Collaborate with the pediatric oncology team to ensure family-centered care.
• Develop and maintain resources and projects for the assigned area.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Emotional sensitivity

Stress management

Education

Master's degree

Child Life Certification

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Certified Child Life Specialist serves as a dedicated psychosocial support professional within the pediatric outpatient oncology clinic, helping promote child- and family-centered care across the continuum of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. This role supports patients and caregivers as they navigate the healthcare experience by applying child life expertise, clinical judgment, and collaborative practice within a specialized oncology setting.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Cost Center

CC004545 CHS - CHW Foundation Funds

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-24

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Job Description

The Child Life (CL) Specialist works to address the psychosocial, emotional, and family concerns that accompany a cancer diagnosis. The CL Specialist will utilize developmentally appropriate information, therapeutic play interventions, procedure support, emotional processing and coping strategies to improve the patients and families experience. The CL Specialist collaborates closely with the multidisciplinary pediatric oncology healthcare team to advocate for/ and ensure that developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, family-centered care is being provided to patients and families. In addition, the CL Specialist takes an active role in developing and maintaining resources and projects for their assigned area. Will work as part of the Child Life team to plan and facilitate special events, donations and other departmental projects.

Additional Job Description

A master's degree, Child Life Certification and pediatric oncology experience are requested. Verbal and written communication skills, ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, in stressful environment, and emotional sensitivity are all important to the success of this role.

Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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