Child Life Specialist

Reference #: 1008471
SHIFT:Any (United States of America)

Seeking Breakthrough Makers

Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers countless ways to change lives. Our diverse community of more than 20,000 Breakthrough Makers will inspire you to pursue passions, develop expertise, and drive innovation.

At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care-and your career.

CHOPs Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

A Brief Overview
The Child Life Specialist functions as a member of the healthcare team who practices at the beginner level and is clinically trained on the developmental impact of illness and injury. The Child Life Specialist is responsible for supporting patients and their family members in the health care setting by providing developmentally appropriate and therapeutic interventions with the goals of optimizing growth and development, reducing pain, fear, and anxiety, and to cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, disability, and loss.

What you will do
Provides child life services to patients and family members, including developmentally appropriate therapeutic play and activities, education, procedural preparation, coping facilitation, and support as it relates to their illness and medical treatment.
Assesses, individualizes, and evaluates plan of care based on patient/family physical, developmental, emotional, and recreational needs.
Collaborates with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members to integrate goals and plans to promote optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, psychosocially sound, and in alignment with CHOPs ICARE values.
Participates in the weekday, weekend, and holiday-on-call rotation, as assigned.
Demonstrates compliance with patient care documentation and Hospital policies.
Provides training, supervision, and feedback to volunteers and practicum students.
Participates in tasks, initiatives, and/or committees that support departmental operations and/or enhances ones professional development.
Serves as a financial steward by implementing cost effective programming, adhering to budget constraints, and supporting efforts to raise funds through donor contributions.
Education Qualifications
Bachelors Degree Required
Masters Degree Child Life, Child Development, Family Studies, Counseling, or Psychology Preferred
Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of infant, child, and adolescent growth and development.
Experience working with infants, children, and adolescents.
Ability to prioritize and complete duties in a timely and organized manner.
Work collaboratively and in a positive manner with others.
Ability to work independent.
Perform work according to CHOP policies and procedures, professional standards of care, and applicable laws.
Ability to set goals, prioritize, and achieve results in accordance with the highest standards.
Understands and promotes CHOPs mission
Licenses and Certifications
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) – Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) – upon hire – Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing resp nsibilities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. Start dates may be delayed until candidates are immunized or exemption requests are reviewed.

EEO / VEVRAA Federal Contractor |  Tobacco Statement

Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability or protected veteran status.