Child Life Specialist

What Awaits You:

• Opportunities for Career Growth – Build a meaningful career with access to professional development, mentorship, and advancement pathways.
• Collaborative and Inclusive Environment – Work alongside a diverse team of professionals who value mutual respect, innovation, and teamwork.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package – Take advantage of a competitive and affordable benefits program that supports your health, financial security, and overall well-being.
• $5,000 sign-on bonus

Job Summary:

• Transform Lives: Provide compassionate psychosocial and developmental assessments and support to patients and their families during some of their most challenging times.
• Empower Growth: Plan and deliver emotionally and developmentally enriching play experiences that help patients navigate healthcare challenges while promoting cognitive and emotional development.
• Elevate Care Quality: Enhance patient outcomes through proactive participation, meticulous documentation, and seamless communication with a dedicated healthcare team.
• Lead and Inspire: Mentor and supervise volunteers and Child Life practicum students, fostering the next generation of child life specialists.
• Advocate for Development: Serve as a trusted resource on child development issues, ensuring every child’s unique needs are understood and met.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development, Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Child Life, or a related field.
• Completion of a Child Life internship (minimum 480 hours; 600 hours preferred) to equip you with hands-on skills.

Knowledge:

• A deep understanding of child development theories and caregiving practices to nurture young minds.
• Skilled in therapeutic play and psychological preparation, providing essential coping strategies that empower patients and families during medical experiences.
• Familiarity with medical terminology and protocols, gained through practical training and hands-on experience.
• Awareness of the Child Life Council Code of Ethics, ensuring the highest quality of care.

Skills:

• Skillfully assess psychosocial and developmental strengths and risks of patients and families to create tailored intervention plans.
• Lead group and individual activities that ignite creativity and self-expression, fostering a joyful and supportive environment.
• Provide attentive care, monitoring needs and behaviors with dedication, ensuring that patients and their families feel valued and supported.
• Master the art of documentation and develop strong verbal communication skills to advocate effectively for patients.
• Possess basic supervisory skills and a commitment to cultural competence, enhancing interactions with diverse populations.
• Exhibit exceptional time management and organizational prowess, ensuring smooth operations in a fast-paced environment.

Required Licensure, Certification, Etc.:

• Obtain Child Life Council certification within the first year of employment and maintain active certification throughout your career. Continuous professional growth is a must!

Work Experience:

• Bring one year of job experience or a Master’s degree with related experience to enrich our team and make an impact.

Salary Range: Minimum 24.91/hour - Maximum 41.12/hour. Compensation will be commensurate with equity and experience for roles of similar scope and responsibility. In cases where the range is displayed as a $0 amount, salary discussions will occur during candidate screening calls, before any subsequent compensation discussion is held between the candidate and any hiring authority.

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where we embrace and celebrate our differences, where all employees feel valued, contribute to our mission of serving the community, and engage in equitable healthcare delivery and workforce practices.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are drug-free workplace employers.