Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) - Inpatient Pediatrics

Carle Health

United States, Illinois, Urbana

611 West Park Street (Show on map)

Mar 25, 2025

Overview

The Child Life Specialist works to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families by providing education, preparation, procedural support, and therapeutic play to reduce stress and enable pediatric patients to cope more effectively with their medical experiences. The Child Life Specialist will act as a resource for nursing staff by aiding in their understanding of the psychosocial effects of hospitalization of children and adolescents according to both their chronological age as well as their developmental level. The Child Life Specialist will be responsible for assisting families through the initial stages of the grieving process.

***The Child Life Specialist qualifies for a sign-on bonus!

Qualifications

Education Level	Field of Study
Bachelor's Degree	Child Development	Or
Bachelor's Degree	Related Field

Education Note:

including the 10 required courses as outlined by Association of Child Life Professionals.

Licensure/Certification Requirements
Licenses/Certifications
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 1 year - Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)	And
Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days - American Heart Association (AHA)

Specialized Knowledge and Skills Requirements

Ability to relate well to people of diverse backgrounds, and thorough understanding of the effects of health inequities on patients and families. Excellent communication skills and the ability to develop quick rapport with patients, families, and colleagues. Must take initiative to serve the needs of patients and assist fellow team members.

Responsibilities

Integrates into practice full consideration of the chronological age, developmental level, and the cultural diversity of the patient

Works collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to meet the needs of the patient and family.

Carries out psychosocial assessments of patients and families to identify needs, strengths, and concerns

Utilizes developmentally appropriate explanations, sensory information, hands-on exploration and medical/therapeutic play to explain medical information to children and adolescents.

Facilitates family involvement and supports patients and families in adjustment to illness/injury as well as hospitalization

Creates coping plans with patients and assists in designated activity during stressful procedures (e.g. diversion, guided imagery, deep breathing). Provides and supports nonpharmacological pain management.

Provides safe, developmentally appropriate play and peer interactions to patients to aid in the normalization of the hospital environment

Supports families through the initial stages of grief and bereavement in regards to the death of a parent, sibling, or the child's own impeding death

Documents patient information pertaining to Child Life services provided

Assists with pediatric unit programs and events to provide activities and entertainment to patients and families through community engagement

Develops educational resources for staff, patients, and the community.

Participates in training and mentoring students pursuing clinical preparation within the Child Life department.

Oversees the inventory of medical and developmental play items throughout the hospital.

Functions as a mandated reporter, reporting suspicions of child abuse and/or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services

Perform other duties as assigned.

Department Specific Job Function
Provides medical play and/or diversion tactics during painful procedures
Oversees the inventory of donated supplies within Pediatrics
Directs unit volunteers

About Us

Find it here.

Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. The supportive and inclusive team where you can thrive. The place where growth meets balance - and opportunities meet flexibility. Find it all at Carle Health.

Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is a healthcare system with nearly 16,600 team members in its eight hospitals, physician groups and a variety of healthcare businesses. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet designations, the nation's highest honor for nursing care. The system includes Methodist College and Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school, and Health Alliance. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: human.resources@carle.com.

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this position is $19.71per hour - $31.93per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model.
Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.