Child Life Specialist

In Child Life and Education at Main Campus Park Place South

Work schedule will be On-call/ Flexi on the Rotating shift, Flexi.

The mission of the Child Life Program is to strive to reduce the impact of stressful or traumatic life events and situations, which affect the development, health, and well-being of infants, children, youth, and families. The Child Life staff is part of the hospital team that strives not only to minimize the child’s stress and anxiety during hospitalization, but also to create a positive environment that fosters the continued development of the child.

The Child Life staff provides opportunities for each child to gain a sense of control and understanding of his/her environment, for learning, for self-expression, for family involvement and for interaction and socialization with other children through play and recreational activities.

Other information:

• Bachelor's degree in child life or child development related field required
• Master’s degree preferred

• 3+ years Child Life experience preferred

• Certified Child Life Specialist required or certified within 6 months of hire date
• A Child Life Specialist must demonstrate competence in and understanding of the following:

• interpersonal communication
• age-appropriate interventions, adaptive coping plans, behavioral management, medication compliance, and developmental/expressive play
• child development with the impact of hospitalization, trauma, illness and disability
• community relations
• helping relationships including crisis intervention and grief/bereavement support
• medical terminology, knowledge of diseases and diagnosis/procedure education
• public speaking
• supervisory skills (Volunteers, Student Observers, Guests)

• A Child Life Specialist must have a sense of personal responsibility, integrity, commitment and caring.
• A Child Life Specialist must demonstrate an eagerness and ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with others for the purposes of fulfilling the hospitals mission and vision.
• A Child Life Specialist must demonstrate ethical behavior in the performance of duties.

• Certified Child Life Specialist

• Bachelors of Science or Arts in Child Life

• 0 Year job experience as Staff Level with specialization in the field of Child Life

Child Life & Education provides individualized care and support designed to meet the unique needs of children and families as they cope with illness, injury, treatment, hospitalization, and the health care experience. Our teams specialize in the psychosocial care and emotional well-being of patients and families in the medical setting. Child Life Child Life recognizes that illness and hospitalization are stressful events in the lives of children and their families.

By using age‑appropriate education, preparation, and supportive activities, we strive to minimize that stress and help children and families cope positively with their healthcare experience. Education Education is a vital part of every child and adolescent's growth. When health challenges require hospitalization, their academic routine is often disrupted. The Junior League of Birmingham's Sunshine School Program helps bridge this gap—delivering educational support and a sense of normalcy during medical care.