Child Life Specialist for Psychiatry
About The Position
This Child Life Specialist will serve Inpatient Psychiatry, primarily supporting the adolescent patient population. At Cincinnati Children’s we want to ensure every visit is as safe, convenient, and comfortable as possible. Providing an exceptional level of care means reaching far beyond our medical expertise - that's where our Child Life Specialists come into action: promoting play, education, developmental progress, coping skills and psychosocial support. Whether it is a trip to the Emergency Department, a short follow-up appointment or an inpatient stay, a visit to the hospital can be a scary and overwhelming experience – for patients, siblings and for their families. The Child Life Program works with patients of all ages in different medical settings to help support emotional safety and normalize the process of receiving medical care. Child Life Specialists are certified and have significant clinical expertise in the developmental impact of illness and injury. This helps improve patient and family care, satisfaction, and healthcare experiences. In addition, Clinical Assistants provide important opportunities for play-based activities that promote coping and normalization.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
- Completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified CLS required.
- Please note: Candidates who have not completed the required internship will not be considered for this position.
- Must be Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within one year of hire.
Responsibilities
- Patient Care
- Professional Responsibility
- Departmental Responsibility
- Data Management
- Teamwork
Benefits
- Benefits and paid time off eligible.
- Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
- Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
- Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
- One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
- Consistently certified as great place to work
- A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
- Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
