• Per Diem Child Life Specialist (Days)

    MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)


    The Child Life Team is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary care team in the Children's Cancer Hospital. Certified Child Life Specialists provide evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions, including therapeutic play, preparation, and education that support and reduce fear, anxiety, and pain for infants, children, youth, and families. Certified Child Life Specialists are educated and trained in the developmental impact of illness and injury. Their role is to help improve patient and family care, satisfaction, and overall experience. The Child Life Specialist provides continuity of care to patients and families to meet their psycho-social needs.

     

    *The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) and Texas Children's (TC) announced a new collaboration on February 19, 2025.  The collaborative operations and patient care are anticipated to launch in early 2026. This advertised position is within the scope of the new collaboration and will not continue at MD Anderson beyond 12/31/25. Opportunity to continue in this role at TC may be offered by TC. Candidates will have the option to discuss the impact of the collaboration with Human Resources professionals. *

    *Ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field with at least six months of experience working with children in a mental health or medical setting and successfully completed a child live internship.*

    *Work Schedule: Weekdays and Weekends - Based on business needs, 6:30am - 7:00pm **Per Diem rate is $32 hourly (non-negotiable).*

    * Essential Job Functions : *

     

    Delivery of Psychosocial Care to Patients and Families. Formulates and implements a psychosocial and/or therapeutic activity utilizing evidence-based practice that is consistent with the medical needs and developmental level of each patient.

     

    Integrates therapeutic and psychosocial activities in partnership with the family and healthcare team. Assesses and meaningfully interacts with infants, children, youth and families.

     

    Provides a safe, therapeutic and healing environment for infants, children, youth and families.

     

    Assists with infants, children, youth and families in coping with potentially stressful events.

     

    Provides teaching, specific to the population served, including psychological preparation for potentially stressful experiences, with infants, children, youth and families.

     

    *Reflective Practice*

     

    Continuously engages in self-reflection of child life practice. Develops and evaluates child life services.

     

    *Multidisciplinary Team Member*

     

    Functions as a member of the services team. Implements child life service within the structure and culture of the work environment. Represents and communicates child life practice and psychosocial issues of infants, children, youth and families to others.

     

    Other duties as assigned.

     

    *REQUIREMENTS *

    *Education*

     

    Required: Bachelor's Degree Child Life, Child Development or related field.

     

    Preferred: Master's Degree Child Life, Child Development or related field.

     

    *Experience*

     

    Required: Six months of experience working with children in a mental health or medical setting.

     

    *Licenses/Certifications *

     

    Required: CCLS - Certified Child Life Specialist Child Life Certifying Committee (CLCC) within one year.

     

    It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. [http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html](http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html)

    Additional Information

    * Requisition ID: 175465

    * Employment Status: Per Diem

    * Employee Status: Regular

    * Work Week: Days

    * Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 32,604

    * Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 32,604

    * Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 32,604

    * FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay

    * Fund Type: Hard

    * Work Location: Onsite

    * Pivotal Position: No

    * Referral Bonus Available?: No

    * Relocation Assistance Available?: No

    * Science Jobs: No

     

    \#LI-Onsite