Children's National Hospital
Child Life Specialist
Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Overview
Provides therapeutic services and play activities to promote the physical, emotional and developmental growth of patients and minimize potential stress and trauma for patients and families.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Required)
Master's Degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Preferred)
Minimum Work Experience
Completion of Child Life Internship (minimum 600 hours) and all internship prerequisites including, but not limited to volunteer hours and Child Life Practicum. (Required)
Candidate must be certified or eligible for Child Life Certification. Candidate must pass certification exam within 6 months of hire. (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development based on the theories of development, including but not limited to Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, and Vygotsky
Knowledge of age-appropriate play and ability to utilize play as a mechanism for patient-understanding of the hospital environment and experiences
Ability to assess patient’s development and response to hospital environment and provide developmentally appropriate interventions
Ability to discuss medical experiences in age-appropriate, child-friendly language
Understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills
Ability to comfortably work with internal and external customers from diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds
Ability to identify and work collaboratively with diverse teams
Ability to listen, be empathetic, motivate and follow-through, and eager to seize challenges and resolve issues
Functional Accountabilities Direct Patient Care
Assesses patients’ development, temperament, coping style, and adjustment using knowledge of child development and behavior, disease/injury, treatment, healthcare stressors, cultural and family systems
Uses knowledge and resources to create developmental plan and implement appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions
Provides therapeutic interactions and activities which offer emotional support, opportunities for continued growth and development, and diversion from the hospital experience
Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping
Uses preparation and medical play opportunities to help alleviate misconceptions and increase understanding of hospital procedures
Provides procedural support to patients in order to foster increased coping skills and evaluates effectiveness of interventions to better inform and individualize future support
Provides education and support to siblings and parents related to hospital visits, effects of hospitalization, procedures, new diagnoses, etc.
Prioritizes own caseload daily in order to meet both child and departmental needs
Participates in the weekday, weekend, and on-call rotation, as assigned
Regularly maintains patient care documentation in accordance with standards
Patient Experience
Fosters environment for patients and families to feel heard and understood, anticipates patient and family needs, and ensures needs are met
Collaborates with child life team and other professionals to provide activities, special visitors, events, and entertainment to patients and families hospital-wide
Encourages and coordinates patients’ and families’ participation in activities and special events to support normalization and coping
Supports and chaperones special visitors to assigned areas of hospital
Assists child life team, assigned area of hospital, or department with intake and distribution of donations of toys and other comforting items
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare team in order to provide optimal care and advocate for developmentally-appropriate patient and family needs
Uses formal and informal methods of communication to share assessments, interventions, and evaluations, as appropriate
Maintains communication with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and engage in consultation regarding patient care
Provides referrals to internal or community resources for patients and families as needed
Program Development
Facilitates patient interaction for volunteers
Presents in-service trainings on role and impact of child life to departments or assigned areas, increasing understanding of importance of family-centered care
Adheres to budget set and outlined by Child Life Manager
Manages child life resources of assigned area of hospital and ensures consistent supply of resources
Attends and participates in opportunities that complement and enhance professional development
Professional Development
With Child Life Manager, establishes annual goals and independently works to meet those goals
Participates as member of assigned area or department committees as deemed appropriate
Develops and maintains professional skills and knowledge by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, etc.
Maintains a willingness to learn and openness to new ideas and practices
Location and Schedule Primary Location:
District of Columbia-Washington
Work Locations:
CN Hospital (Main Campus)
Job:
Allied Health
Organization:
Patient Services
Position Status:
R (Regular)
Shift:
Day
Work Schedule:
M-F
Job Posting Details Job Posting:
Sep 9, 2025, 12:35:25 AM
Full-Time Salary Range:
50252.8
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Provides therapeutic services and play activities to promote the physical, emotional and developmental growth of patients and minimize potential stress and trauma for patients and families.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Required)
Master's Degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Preferred)
Minimum Work Experience
Completion of Child Life Internship (minimum 600 hours) and all internship prerequisites including, but not limited to volunteer hours and Child Life Practicum. (Required)
Candidate must be certified or eligible for Child Life Certification. Candidate must pass certification exam within 6 months of hire. (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge
Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development based on the theories of development, including but not limited to Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, and Vygotsky
Knowledge of age-appropriate play and ability to utilize play as a mechanism for patient-understanding of the hospital environment and experiences
Ability to assess patient’s development and response to hospital environment and provide developmentally appropriate interventions
Ability to discuss medical experiences in age-appropriate, child-friendly language
Understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills
Ability to comfortably work with internal and external customers from diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds
Ability to identify and work collaboratively with diverse teams
Ability to listen, be empathetic, motivate and follow-through, and eager to seize challenges and resolve issues
Functional Accountabilities Direct Patient Care
Assesses patients’ development, temperament, coping style, and adjustment using knowledge of child development and behavior, disease/injury, treatment, healthcare stressors, cultural and family systems
Uses knowledge and resources to create developmental plan and implement appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions
Provides therapeutic interactions and activities which offer emotional support, opportunities for continued growth and development, and diversion from the hospital experience
Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping
Uses preparation and medical play opportunities to help alleviate misconceptions and increase understanding of hospital procedures
Provides procedural support to patients in order to foster increased coping skills and evaluates effectiveness of interventions to better inform and individualize future support
Provides education and support to siblings and parents related to hospital visits, effects of hospitalization, procedures, new diagnoses, etc.
Prioritizes own caseload daily in order to meet both child and departmental needs
Participates in the weekday, weekend, and on-call rotation, as assigned
Regularly maintains patient care documentation in accordance with standards
Patient Experience
Fosters environment for patients and families to feel heard and understood, anticipates patient and family needs, and ensures needs are met
Collaborates with child life team and other professionals to provide activities, special visitors, events, and entertainment to patients and families hospital-wide
Encourages and coordinates patients’ and families’ participation in activities and special events to support normalization and coping
Supports and chaperones special visitors to assigned areas of hospital
Assists child life team, assigned area of hospital, or department with intake and distribution of donations of toys and other comforting items
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare team in order to provide optimal care and advocate for developmentally-appropriate patient and family needs
Uses formal and informal methods of communication to share assessments, interventions, and evaluations, as appropriate
Maintains communication with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and engage in consultation regarding patient care
Provides referrals to internal or community resources for patients and families as needed
Program Development
Facilitates patient interaction for volunteers
Presents in-service trainings on role and impact of child life to departments or assigned areas, increasing understanding of importance of family-centered care
Adheres to budget set and outlined by Child Life Manager
Manages child life resources of assigned area of hospital and ensures consistent supply of resources
Attends and participates in opportunities that complement and enhance professional development
Professional Development
With Child Life Manager, establishes annual goals and independently works to meet those goals
Participates as member of assigned area or department committees as deemed appropriate
Develops and maintains professional skills and knowledge by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, etc.
Maintains a willingness to learn and openness to new ideas and practices
Location and Schedule Primary Location:
District of Columbia-Washington
Work Locations:
CN Hospital (Main Campus)
Job:
Allied Health
Organization:
Patient Services
Position Status:
R (Regular)
Shift:
Day
Work Schedule:
M-F
Job Posting Details Job Posting:
Sep 9, 2025, 12:35:25 AM
Full-Time Salary Range:
50252.8
#J-18808-Ljbffr