Child Life Specialist

Job Description

Join our team as a Child Life Specialist in Orlando, Florida! Under the supervision of Child Life leadership, this role supports children and families by identifying psychosocial and developmental factors that may affect their healthcare experience. The Child Life Specialist independently provides assessments and interventions for an assigned patient population, following departmental and hospital policies.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct Child Life assessments and deliver appropriate interventions.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to create and implement individualized care plans.
• Demonstrate clinical competency in direct patient care.
• Complete 100% of the basic Child Life competencies as defined by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Engage in ongoing professional development through mentorship and educational opportunities.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Assess and support patients' coping with hospitalization, procedures, and diagnoses using developmentally appropriate interventions.
2. Provide emotional and educational support to families, respecting cultural values and beliefs.
3. Demonstrate clinical proficiency in caring for pediatric, adolescent, young adult, and neonatal patients (as assigned).
4. Facilitate medical play, therapeutic activities, and psychological preparation to reduce trauma and promote mastery.
5. Educate children and families about diagnoses and treatments to enhance understanding and minimize stress.
6. Use stress-reduction techniques and coping strategies during procedures and throughout hospitalization.
7. Document services according to departmental and Joint Commission expectations.
8. Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and team meetings.
9. Engage in ongoing professional development and contribute to departmental education efforts.
10. Support departmental goals and initiatives.
11. Additional miscellaneous duties and responsibilities, as may be assigned from time to time by employee's supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required - Child Life, Child Development or related field
• Completion of 600-hour Child Life internship following ACLP standards before hire
• Must have Child Life Certification or obtain one within 1 year of hire
• American Heart Association Certification within 6 months of hire

About Us

Nemours Children's Health is an internationally recognized pediatric health system serving more than 1.7 million patient encounters each year. We deliver care across six states through two freestanding children's hospitals - Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida - along with a network of more than 80 primary, urgent, and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospital partnerships.

Backed by the Nemours Foundation and Alfred I. duPont Trust, our $1.7B nonprofit system is dedicated to improving children's health through clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention. Our Whole Child Health approach focuses equally on prevention and treatment, partnering with communities to help every child thrive.

Inclusion and belonging guide our strategy and growth. We are committed to culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and fostering an environment where every associate, patient, and family feels supported and valued.

Learn more at Nemours.org.