Child Life Specialist, Child Life, Per Diem

Position Overview UMass Memorial Health is seeking a Child Life Specialist to create a welcoming, stress‑reducing environment in inpatient units, outpatient clinics, radiology, pediatric surgery, and the emergency department. The specialist will provide psychosocially sound, family‑centered support to children 0‑21 years of age and their families through pre‑procedure and pre‑operative teaching, medical and therapeutic play, and other supportive interventions. Major Responsibilities Assess and interact with patients and families, creating a therapeutic, safe environment in inpatient units, playrooms, clinic and emergency waiting areas, and treatment rooms. Use a variety of interventions—including divisional and recreational play, medical play, developmental/skill retention support, and seasonal celebrations—to provide emotional and educational support to patients and families coping with life‑threatening or terminal illnesses. Collaborate with the health care team to create individualized pre‑procedure and pre‑surgery preparation that is developmentally appropriate and meets each child/adolescent’s learning style and emotional state. Act as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, relaying relevant patient assessments through reports, charting, family care conferences, and team meetings, and providing consultation and direct teaching on Child Life issues to parents, medical and nursing staff, and students. Facilitate acquisition of hospital or home‑bound tutors for children/adolescents experiencing extended school absence due to accident or chronic illness. Participate in fundraising events and outreach programs for children’s medical care. Follow all safety and infection‑control guidelines, monitor toys and materials for age‑appropriateness and wear, and maintain adequate inventory through timely acquisition of new items. Provide regular, reliable attendance and perform other related duties as required. Kid’s Comfort Promise Responsibilities Assess and develop individualized procedural support plans and support patients during procedures such as blood draws, IV starts, immunizations, and port accesses. Advocate for and educate on Kid’s Comfort Promise principles such as comfort positioning, use of treatment rooms, numbing, distraction, and sucrose/breastfeeding. Serve as an active member of the Kid’s Comfort Promise Initiative team, attending all committee meetings and trainings. Communicate openly with parents and health care staff and advocate for kids comfort principles. Qualifications Bachelor of Science in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field. Current Child Life Certification or a passing score on the certification exam within one year of employment. Enthusiastic and dedicated to providing quality Child Life services in diverse health care settings. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Self‑starter who can work independently and adapt to changing priorities. Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions The role is primarily sedentary, performed indoors in a patient‑care environment. EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Contact for Disability Assistance If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible. #J-18808-Ljbffr Dormont Manufacturing Co