Child Life Specialist - Fort Pierce, FL - Direct Hire/ Full-Time

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Job Type: Full-Time (Permanent)
Shift & Schedule: Days | Rotating Weekends
Pay Rate: $20.35–$28.49/hr (Based on Years of Experience)

Position Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) to support pediatric patients and their families in a hospital setting. The specialist will assess developmental and emotional needs, prepare children for medical procedures, and provide therapeutic support to reduce stress and trauma.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess pediatric patients' developmental abilities, coping mechanisms, and emotional adjustment to the hospital environment to formulate individualized therapeutic plans of care.

• Interpret behavioral and developmental data and continuously evaluate patient responses to medical interventions and psychosocial support.

• Apply evidence-based therapeutic techniques, medical play, and age-appropriate education to prepare children for treatments, surgeries, and diagnostic procedures to reduce fear, stress, and trauma.

• Cultivate a healing, therapeutic environment by collaborating closely with patients, parents, siblings, and family support groups.

• Research and integrate current evidence-based trends and best practices regarding pediatric psychosocial care in acute hospital settings.

• Serve as a clinical subject-matter resource across Pediatric Inpatient, Pediatric Emergency, Surgical Services, and ancillary units.

• Utilize medical terminology accurately and consistently in clinical documentation and interdisciplinary care conferences.

• Uphold facility Standards of Performance and ICARE values across all patient, family, and colleague interactions.

Required Qualifications

• Active Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential issued by the Association of Child Life Professionals / Child Life Council.

• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA).

• Minimum 1 year of clinical Child Life Specialist experience required; acute care pediatric or hospital setting preferred.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Family Studies, or a closely related field meeting ACLP eligibility standards.

Benefits & Total Rewards

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, telemedicine access, and employee wellness programs.

• Financial & Retirement: 401(k) plan with employer matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and life/disability insurance options.

• Career & Education: Tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance programs, paid certification maintenance/CEU support, and internal career advancement pathways.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid family leave, daytime scheduling with rotating weekend coverage, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).