Child Life Specialist - Per Diem

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is ranked the nation’s top hospital for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals.”  MD Anderson’s mission is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through exceptional programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention. 

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. 

Child Life Specialist / Per Diem  Work  schedule:  Weekdays - Based on business needs 

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.