Pediatric Child Life Specialist - Family Support & Coping

Community Hospice and Palliative Care; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Hospice and Palliative Care seeks a Child Life Specialist to support pediatric patients and families through developmentally appropriate therapeutic play and education. The role collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to assess needs, reduce anxiety, and provide memory making and bereavement support throughout the child’s illness trajectory.

The position emphasizes family-centered care, professional development, and adherence to child life best practices, including certification

Qualifications

• Must have child development/child life or therapeutic recreation experience.
• Knowledge of child development and therapeutic recreation.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic play activities to help children express feelings and cope with medical experiences.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to identify appropriate therapeutic play interventions.
• Develop individual care plans based on assessment of the child’s needs and medical plan.
• Offer memory making, anticipatory grief support, and family education.
• Educate parents about child development, coping strategies, and procedures to reduce anxiety.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and ongoing education.

Skills

Child development

Therapeutic recreation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Development or Therapeutic Recreation

Job description

Community Hospice and Palliative Care seeks a Child Life Specialist to support pediatric patients and families through developmentally appropriate therapeutic play and education. The role collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to assess needs, reduce anxiety, and provide memory making and bereavement support throughout the child’s illness trajectory.

The position emphasizes family-centered care, professional development, and adherence to child life best practices, including certification