Child Life Specialist - PRN

Texas Children's; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Children's is seeking a Child Life Specialist to support emotional, developmental, and social needs of pediatric patients in a fast-paced hospital setting. The role focuses on play, learning experiences, and family engagement to foster mastery and resilience.

Responsibilities include rapid psychosocial assessments, developmentally appropriate interventions, and clear preparation of patients and families for procedures, with collaboration across the care team to support the department's

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• CCLS certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals within 12 months of entering the role.
• Prior pediatric hospital or clinical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide child life assessments and normalize the hospital environment.
• Perform formal and informal psychosocial developmental assessments within 24 hours of referral.
• Deliver developmentally appropriate interventions for patients and families.
• Prepare patients and families for procedures with clear explanations.
• Communicate child life needs to professionals outside the department.
• Engage in professional development and collaborate within the department.

Skills

Child life assessments

Developmental assessments

Developmentally appropriate Intervals

Family communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

CCLS Certification

2+ years clinical experience preferred

Job description

We are searching for a Child Life Specialist - someone who works well in a fast-paced setting. In this position, you'll implement and provide a comprehensive program of Child Life Services that help meet the emotional, developmental, and social needs of children in a health care setting. You'll provide opportunities for children to gain a sense of mastery, offering play and learning experiences, and encouraging family and peer interaction

Think you've got what it takes?

• Provides child life assessments and normalizes the hospital environment for patients and families
• Conducts formal and informal developmental assessments of psychosocial needs of patients and families within 24 hours of referral
• Promotes and provides developmentally appropriate interventions for patients and families
• Prepares patients and families for procedure/treatment(s) using developmentally appropriate explanations
• Represents and communicates child life and psychosocial issues of pediatric health care to professionals outside of child life
• Participates in professional development of self and other child life professionals
• Collaborates in an intradepartmental effort to support the mission and vision of the Child Life Department

• Bachelor's degree required (preferably in Child Life, Psychology, Human Development, Social Work, Music Therapy or Art Therapy)
• CCLS - Certified Child Life Specialist from the Association of Child Life Professionals, acquired within 12 months of entering the role
• 2 years of full time clinical experience as a Child Life Specialist preferred