Pediatric Hospice Child Life Specialist

Houston Hospice; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Hospice is seeking a compassionate Child Life Specialist to join our interdisciplinary care team in Houston, TX. You will support pediatric patients and their families through developmentally appropriate emotional and psychosocial care, education, and memory-making activities.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, ACLP coursework, a 600-hour internship, and CPR/BLS certification. Experience or bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or related field required.
• ACLP-endorsed child life coursework required.
• Completion of a 600-hour supervised child life internship required.
• Current Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or eligibility to obtain within 6–12 months of hire.
• Current CPR/BLS certification required.
• Valid driver’s license and transportation.
• Strong communication, organizational, and clinical documentation skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR).

Responsibilities

• Provide developmentally appropriate emotional and psychosocial support to pediatric hospice patients from infancy through young adulthood.
• Assess coping, developmental needs, and emotional well-being to develop individualized care plans.
• Help children and families understand illness, end-of-life experiences, and grief.
• Facilitate legacy-building activities, memory-making projects, keepsakes, and life reviews.
• Prepare children and families for procedures and care transitions with age-appropriate communication.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other team members.
• Participate in IDG meetings and maintain timely clinical documentation.
• Educate clinical team on child development, pediatric communication, and family-centered care.
• Provide bereavement resources guidance to families.
• Supervise child life volunteers and interns as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Clinical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, or closely related field

ACLP-endorsed child life coursework

600-hour supervised child life internship

Current CCLS credential or eligibility within 6–12 months

CPR/BLS certification

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Houston Hospice is seeking a compassionate Child Life Specialist to join our interdisciplinary care team in Houston, TX. You will support pediatric patients and their families through developmentally appropriate emotional and psychosocial care, education, and memory-making activities.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, ACLP coursework, a 600-hour internship, and CPR/BLS certification. Experience or bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred.