Child Life Specialist

Job Description

Responsible for reducing the stress and anxiety created by illness and hospitalization for pediatric patients and families. Assists pediatric patients and families with coping during the hospital stay and/or illness through therapeutic play activities, education and psycho social support. Works collaboratively with the medical, nursing and interdisciplinary team by playing a vital role in normalizing the hospital environment.

Qualifications

Work requires the knowledge of theories, principles, and concepts normally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology or closely related field. Master's degree preferred. One to two years prior experience in Child Life required. Certified Child Life Specialist certification through the Association for Child Life Professionals and continuous maintenance of certification required. BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required or achieved within 6 months of hire. Work requires the analytical ability to resolve complex problems requiring the use of basic scientific, mathematical, or technical principles and in-depth, experienced-based knowledge. Work requires the ability to educate patients and their families or perform other duties requiring a comparable level of communication skill.

Effective January 2019, St. Joseph's Health requires all employee certifications for Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) to be granted through the American Heart Association.

About Us

St. Joseph's Health is recognized for the expertise and compassion of its highly skilled and responsive staff. The combined efforts of the organization's outstanding physicians, superb nurses, and dedicated clinical and professional staff have made us one of the most highly respected healthcare organizations in the state, the largest employer in Passaic County, and one of the nation's "100 Best Places to Work in Health Care".

Benefits Eligibility: (Full-time and Part-time Employees-over 20 hours a week)

• Competitive salary*
• Robust benefits with health, dental, Rx and vision plans
• 403b retirement plan options with company match**
• Health & Wellness*
• Non-Profit Health System – eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness
• PTO, and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• LTD : Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance Options
• Onsite Day care Program

*Available for Per Diem Employees and Part-time Employees working under 20 hours per week.

** 403b Company Match not applicable for Per Diem Employees and Part-time Employees working under 20 hours per week.

Pay transparency: St. Joseph's Health provides a salary range to comply with New Jersey Law. The rate of pay for each position will be determined based on a variety of factors including the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, etc." The salary range does not include incentives, differential pay or other forms of compensation.

About the Team

St. Joseph's University Medical Center is an academic tertiary care medical center and state designated trauma center, located on the Paterson campus, regularly accepts referrals of difficult or unusual cases from other hospitals and physicians and performs both complex and routine procedures.

The Medical Center offers a full complement of specialty and subspecialty services including ambulatory, behavioral health, cardiovascular, emergency/trauma, internal medicine, neuroscience, oncology, orthopedic/spine, rehabilitation, surgical specialty, women's health, imaging and pediatrics.

The nursing team at St. Joseph's University Medical Center, which includes St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, has held the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence, the profession's highest honor, since 1999. They are also recipients of the prestigious 2010 Magnet Prize™ - one of only 8 Magnet-designated hospitals to ever receive The Magnet Prize, and the only one worldwide to receive the 2010 award.

Job Info

• Job Identification 20261648
• Job Category Support Services
• Posting Date 10/14/2026, 12:38 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Job Shift Day
• Locations St. Joseph's University Medical Center (On-site)
• Hourly Salary Range 25.12 - 38.94