Child Life Specialist - Full Time

Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)

Location: Abilene, TX

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Department: Pediatric Multidisciplinary Care

Job Summary

The Certified Child Life Specialist functions as an essential member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, dedicated to meeting the developmental, psychosocial, and intellectual needs of pediatric patients and their families. The incumbent is responsible for designing and implementing therapeutic medical preparation programs, as well as organizing and directing age-appropriate therapeutic play experiences to alleviate patient anxiety and provide a sense of normalcy during clinical care. Additionally, this role involves orienting, training, and supervising child life students and volunteers assigned to the unit.

Core Responsibilities

• Psychosocial & Therapeutic Care: Assess pediatric patients' developmental and emotional needs; implement therapeutic medical preparation programs and coping strategies tailored to the child's developmental level.
• Therapeutic Play Programming: Supervise, organize, and direct therapeutic play experiences designed to reduce stress, manage pain, and foster a normalized environment within the facility.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Partner closely with physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to provide comprehensive, family-centered care.
• Mentorship & Supervision: Oversee the onboarding, training, and daily activities of child life students, interns, and volunteers utilized within the department.
• Compliance & Professional Standards: Maintain strict patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and facility regulations. Uphold a highly professional appearance and clinical presence at all times.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Psychology, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of previous clinical experience within a child life or pediatric healthcare environment.
• Certifications & Licensure:
• Current Child Life Professional Certification (CCLS) required prior to hire date.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR certification.
• Physical & Environmental Safety: Position is classified as OSHA Category 1 (High Risk for potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens). Designated driving duties are not required for this role.