Child Life Specialist

Children's of Alabama • Birmingham, AL

2d

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist supports the Child Life Program’s mission to reduce the impact of stressful or traumatic events on the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, youth, and families. As part of the hospital team, the specialist helps minimize stress and anxiety during hospitalization and creates a positive environment that supports children’s continued development. The role provides opportunities for children to gain a sense of control and understanding of their environment, learn, express themselves, involve their families, and interact and socialize with other children through play and recreational activities.

Child Life & Education provides individualized care and support for children and families coping with illness, injury, treatment, hospitalization, and healthcare experiences. The team specializes in psychosocial care and emotional well-being in medical settings. Child Life uses age-appropriate education, preparation, and supportive activities to help children and families cope positively with illness and hospitalization. The related Education program helps maintain academic support and a sense of normalcy when health challenges disrupt a child’s school routine.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in child life or a related child development field; equivalent qualifications specify a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Child Life.
• Certified Child Life Specialist credential required, or certification must be obtained within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated competence in interpersonal communication, age-appropriate interventions, adaptive coping plans, behavioral management, medication compliance, developmental and expressive play, child development, and the effects of hospitalization, trauma, illness, and disability.
• Knowledge of community relations, helping relationships, crisis intervention, grief and bereavement support, medical terminology, diseases, and diagnosis and procedure education.
• Ability to give public presentations and provide supervision to volunteers, student observers, and guests.
• Personal responsibility, integrity, commitment, and caring.
• Ability and eagerness to work cooperatively and collaboratively to support the hospital’s mission and vision.
• Ethical behavior in performing duties.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Three or more years of Child Life experience.

Responsibilities

• Help reduce children’s stress and anxiety during hospitalization and support their continued development.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop a sense of control and understanding of their environment.
• Use age-appropriate education, preparation, supportive activities, play, and recreational activities to support children and families.
• Support learning, self-expression, family involvement, interaction, and socialization with other children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time