Child Life Specialist

University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority • Madison, WI

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist works in the Emergency Department on an evening/night schedule. The role provides age-appropriate information and child life therapies based on each patient's age, medical condition, and family or significant others. The specialist supports outpatients, inpatients, and their families during medical encounters, helping children feel trust and comfort so they can express fears, concerns, and misconceptions about their care. The specialist advocates for patients and provides clinical interventions responsive to the changing needs of children with chronic illnesses and handicapping conditions that may affect development and family functioning. In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, the specialist helps plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic and psychosocial child life programming for children and families receiving outpatient and inpatient care.

This is a 60% FTE position with 12-hour shifts between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. and a weekend rotation. The position is based at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, a specialized pediatric medical and surgical center that includes a Level One Pediatric Trauma Center and Level IV NICU.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field.
• Completion of a Child Life internship with a minimum of 480 hours in a pediatric health care setting.
• Certification as a Child Life Specialist by the Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP), or certification in progress with the ability to obtain the credential within one year.
• CPR certification, or ability to attain certification within 90 days.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field.
• At least two years of related experience working with children and adolescents in a hospital setting.
• Experience in a specific specialty area.
• Paid clinical experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide age-appropriate information and administer child life therapies suited to patients' ages, medical conditions, and family or significant others.
• Work with outpatients, inpatients, and families during medical encounters to foster trust and comfort and help children express fears, concerns, and misconceptions about their care.
• Advocate for patients and provide clinical interventions responsive to the changing needs of children with chronic illness and handicapping conditions.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic and psychosocial child life programming for children and families receiving outpatient and inpatient care.

Benefits

• Health and dental insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Retirement plans.
• Two-week paid parental leave.
• Adoption assistance.
• Options for a variety of schedules and shifts to support flexibility and work-life balance.
• Access to resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department supporting emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
• Tuition benefits for coursework associated with career advancement.
• Eligibility to earn a referral bonus for referring applicants to open, posted positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time