Child Life Specialist Associate

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The Certified Child Life Specialist is responsible for supporting pediatric and adult patients and their family members in adjusting to healthcare experiences, illness/injury and loss across critical care, acute and ambulatory health care settings. Assessing the developmental, psychosocial, emotional and cultural needs using a strengths-based approach, the child life specialist provides developmentally appropriate education for medical procedures and diagnoses, non-pharmacological pain management, therapeutic play and emotional and bereavement support for the patient and family. The child life specialist orients and trains child life students and volunteers, provides interdisciplinary education related to the psychosocial and developmental needs of patients and families, and participates in patient related programming and events.

Responsibilities*

• Assess and prioritize patient and family needs for developmentally appropriate child life intervention.
• Support patients and families in coping with stresses associated with health care experiences through the development of therapeutic and supportive relationships.
• Plan and implement therapeutic interventions and a variety of individual and group play experiences promoting development, self-expression, and mastery.
• Advocate for patient and family-centered care through communication, involvement, partnership with and empowerment of patients and family members.
• Contribute to overall departmental coverage needs through daily coverage plan and float pager coverage.
• Document treatment plans/outcomes for patients within the electronic medical record as required by department guidelines and professional standards.
• Provide a physically and emotionally safe, therapeutic and healing environment for patients, families and staff.
• Provide education regarding illness/condition, treatment, procedures and coping techniques to patients, family members, and the larger community as appropriate.
• Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, integrating goals and plans to promote optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and psychosocially sound. Regularly attends and participates in medical, multidisciplinary, and psychosocial team meetings.
• Co-treat and refer patients and families to multidisciplinary services and resources as needed.
• Maintain and order supplies and equipment as needed. Serve as a financial steward by implementing cost effective programming.
• Orient and supervise volunteers and participate in education for Michigan Medicine and visiting students.
• Facilitate ongoing formal and informal education and orientation for unit and multidisciplinary team on availability and provision of child life service.
• Remain abreast of current developments in the child life profession and participate in professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and skills. Professional involvement with the ACLP is highly encouraged.
• Represent Child and Family Life and manages clinical responsibilities on evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
• Actively participate in monthly clinical team and committee meetings.
• Exemplify Michigan Medicine?s values related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Adhere to and embrace Child and Family Life team norms.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

One of the following three educational requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life meets the Child Life Certification Commission's academic eligibility requirements allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study (i.e., child development, family studies, psychology) and 10 college/university courses that meet the Child Life Certification Commission?s academic eligibility requirements allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Bachelor's degree in any field of study and 10 college/university courses that meet the Child Life Certification Commission's academic eligibility requirements allowing for credentialing as a Certified Child Life Specialist.

Additional requirements:

• Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals as a Certified Child Life Specialist within first 18 months of hire. A minimum of two attempts to pass the exam are required within the first year of hire.
• Some Pediatric healthcare experience.

Desired Qualifications*

• ACLP and Great Lakes Association of Child Life Professionals (GLACLP) membership.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Work Schedule

Primary Work Location: CCLS Leave/Backfill


Schedule: The CCLS leave/backfill position covers leaves, vacancies and time off. Work location (including offsite locations) and shifts schedule will vary based on coverage needs.


Some holidays are required.

*This position is eligible for shift premium.

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

277160

Working Title

Child Life Specialist Associate

Job Title

Child Life Specialist Assoc

Work Location

Michigan Medicine - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite


Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Nonexempt

Organizational Group

Um Hospital

Department

MM CW Child & Family Life

Posting Begin/End Date

5/15/2026 - 8/13/2026

Salary

$52,124.80 - $75,670.40

Career Interest

Patient Care Services