Child Life Specialist: Pediatric Subspecialty Clinics-Days
About The Position
The Child Life Specialist dedicated to Weill Cornell Medicine’s Pediatric Subspecialty clinics at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital provides developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and family-centered psychosocial support to children and caregivers in the outpatient medical setting. The specialist works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams across pediatric subspecialty clinics to assess patients’ emotional, developmental, and educational needs and provide individualized interventions that reduce distress, promote adaptive coping, and support developmental integrity. Interventions may include preparation and education for medical encounters, therapeutic and medical play, emotional support, and opportunities for self-expression. The role emphasizes cultural responsiveness, advocacy, and evidence-based practice, and contributes to a safe, supportive clinical environment and an improved patient and family experience throughout outpatient care. The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team partners with the interdisciplinary team, programming partners, patients, and caregivers to address each child’s and family’s emotional, developmental, and cultural needs through trauma-informed and culturally reflexive practice.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, or a closely related field.
- Child Life Council-verified internship hours, with a minimum of 480 hours.
- Certified Child Life Specialist.
- Knowledge of child development, medical terminology, and developmental and therapeutic play.
Nice To Haves
- 1–2 years of paid professional experience with hospitalized children.
Responsibilities
- Assess patients’ emotional, developmental, and educational needs in pediatric subspecialty clinics.
- Provide individualized psychosocial interventions to reduce distress, promote adaptive coping, and support developmental integrity.
- Prepare and educate children and caregivers for medical encounters.
- Use therapeutic and medical play, emotional support, and self-expression interventions.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, programming partners, patients, and caregivers.
- Promote culturally responsive, family-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based care.
- Support a safe clinical environment and enhance the patient and family experience throughout outpatient care.
Benefits
- Comprehensive and competitive benefits supporting employees and their families.
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
