Child Life Specialist

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

. Assess patients’ and caregivers’ coping, emotional safety, psychosocial, developmental, spiritual and cultural needs .

Posted 10/16/2026part-timeWestchester • Illinois • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $49,920 - $81,619 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in psychosocial care, trauma-informed support, and child development, while effectively collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and advocating for family-centered care. Holds relevant certifications and engages in continuous professional development.

Highest-signal resume keywords

CCLS CertificationBasic Life Support CertificationChild Development KnowledgePsychosocial Care ExpertiseInterdisciplinary Collaboration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Clinical DocumentationTrauma-Informed CarePatient AdvocacyTherapeutic Relationship DevelopmentQuality Improvement Projects

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationCollaborationTraining and Education FacilitationEmotional SupportSupervision

Certifications & Qualifications

CCLS CertificationBasic Life Support Certification

Industry Keywords

Child Life SpecialistPsychosocial Needs AssessmentFamily-Centered CareCommunity EngagementProfessional Development

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assess patients’ and caregivers’ coping, emotional safety, psychosocial, developmental, spiritual and cultural needs
Provide individualized, timely, effective and trauma-informed preparation, education and support
Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers
Document clinical interventions in the medical record
Advocate for comprehensive psychosocial and family-centered care
Build collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary team members
Participate in team conferences, rounds, staff meetings, orientations and in-service education
Facilitate training and educational lectures on psychosocial care of children
Serve as a subject matter expert on committees
Assist with information for community groups, organizations and news media
Pursue professional development and maintain professional credentials
Lead and participate in quality improvement projects
Implement improved programs, technology, equipment, systems and resources
Supervise child life students
Perform other assigned job functions

Requirements

What you’ll need

Completion of a bachelor’s degree, with knowledge of child and adolescent development, typically through a focus on child development, child and family development, or related field
Current CCLS (Certified Child Life Specialist) credential from the Association of Child Life Professionals, acquired within 12 months of hire
1–2 years of experience preferred
Basic Life Support Certification required, obtained within 6 months of hire
Spanish language abilities strongly preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
Employer paid group term life and disability
Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
403(b) with a 5% employer match
Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
Tuition assistance
Student loan servicing and support
Adoption benefits
Backup Childcare and Eldercare
Employee Assistance Program and specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
Discount purchasing program
Differentials for some hourly employees
Leadership incentives for select roles
Wellbeing programs