Hiring Incentive: $5000

The Child Life Specialist utilizes a family centered care approach in assuring that the psychosocial needs of the patients and families are met.  The Child Life Specialist facilitates therapeutic play, coping techniques, psychological preparation, procedural support and clinical education regarding health care experiences.  The Child Life Specialist promotes the optimum development of the patients through therapeutic individual and group activities.

Location: Inpatient Unit EEG and EMU unit

Learn more about the Child Life program by visiting our website: Child Life/Therapeutic Recreation Department

1. Facilitates the orientation, adjustment, and ongoing support of patients and caregivers to the hospital, health care experiences, illness or disability.
2. Provides medical procedure preparation, support, and accompaniment whenever necessary to support the patient and/or caregivers.
3. Communicates and documents patient and caregiver interventions as appropriate.
4. Provides activities and interventions in group and individual settings to help children and caregivers cope with medical situations and meet their developmental, emotional and cultural needs.
5. Models developmentally appropriate interactions for patients, caregivers and staff.
6. Maintains a safe, therapeutic milieu in all patient areas and sustains appropriate professional boundaries with patients, caregivers and staff.
7. Attends and actively participates in interdisciplinary and departmental meetings and/or in-service education as assigned and advocates for the diverse needs of the patients and caregivers.
8. Provides supervision for child life students and volunteers
9. Interprets the mission, goals and philosophical base of the department, professional group, and/or Institute whenever necessary.
10. Maintains quality and effectiveness of patient services through implementation of and compliance with all departmental and/or Institute policies and procedures, PI activities, and yearly program assessment.

• Child Life internship with completion of 600 hours of clinical experience under Certified Child Life Specialist in accredited Pediatric Hospital required.
• Must have certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist by the Association of Child Life Professionals or certification must be obtained within one year of hire.
• *Individual must demonstrate competence across all age groups due to the diversity of the children and caregivers served by KKI. 
• *Clinical care focus is on the neonate, pediatric, and adolescent populations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field required.

• One year experience in a child life program and hospital setting preferred.

Kennedy Krieger Institute offers excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401K with match, tuition reimbursement, student debt relief program, free parking and child care subsidies!  In addition, we offer rich professional development opportunities.  

EOE/M/F/D/V