Child Life Specialist - 0.8 FTE

Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you're looking for a job to love, apply today.

Schedule Weekly Hours:
32

Are you ready for an incredible adventure working in an award winning culture? Join the Gundersen Children's Services team and be part of awell respected, essential part of the health care team while doing what you love!
What is Available?
0.8FTE, 64 hours every 2 weeks

Schedule: Primarily Emergency Services shift: Currently 1:30-10:00pm

Work approximately every third weekend (inpatient and emergency services)

Location: La Crosse, WI Main Campus

What You Will Do:
Provide child life services primarily in the inpatient and emergency service setting.

Collaborate with healthcare teams to provide the highest quality of care while amplifying empathy.

Optimize patient care coverage and maintain a healthy life-work balance. This may include training to other areas for occasional coverage to support time off requests.

Provide psychosocial support to children of adult patients and families during times of loss.

What Will You Need?
Bachelor's degree in child life or a related field

Completion of an ACLP (Association of Child life Professionals) approved child life internship.

Child life certification within one year of hire

2 years' experience working with children (preferably in a medical setting)

What You will Get:
A positive work environment with an inclusive team committed to collective growth.

Opportunity to ensure highest quality of pediatric care is delivered "close to home".

A balance of a primary unit and yet still get a variety of experience providing child life services in multiple settings.

Top-rated retirement and healthcare benefits

Support to grow your career with access to our Career Development Center and Tuition Reimbursement Program

Connection to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

If you are looking to be a part of a stable and growing mission-driven organization, this may be the right opportunity for you!


The Child Life Specialist is responsible to develop and implement services and programs designed to meet the emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. Through the use of therapeutic play, diversional activity and other types of interventions, the Child Life Specialist seeks to reduce the stress associated with health care experiences and enables the children and their families to cope in a positive manner. The Child Life Specialist also provides in-services and programs to other disciplines in the hospital and clinic to enhance their approach and communication skills with children.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Provide developmentally appropriate explanations to the child regarding the sequence, nature, and reasons for procedures and routines. This may include scheduled tours for children to visit prior to their appointment, surgery, or hospitalization.
2. Provide support and comfort during invasive or stressful medical procedures.
3. Provide therapeutic, developmental, and diversional play/activities, as needed, to foster growth and development, normalcy, and enhance skills for coping with medical events.
4. Serve as an advocate to the child and family to ensure care is provided in a safe, comforting, developmentally appropriate, and child friendly manner to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain.
5. Collaborate with medical staff and providers to reach healing goals.
6. Communicate with families about their child's feelings and behaviors within the context of the medical environment and offer guidance and emotional support as appropriate.
7. Communicate psychosocial needs, family strengths, assessments, education, and recommendations to the care team especially through documentation in EPIC. This may include active participation or leadership of care conferences.
8. Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for pediatric patients by purchasing appropriate toys/activities, or other materials to promote a supportive environment for children and teens.
9. Participate directly or consult with patient and family advisory groups as needed.
10. Develop and deliver in-services and programs to other departments/disciplines in our health care system to enhance the care provided to children.
11. Coordinate and supervises volunteers, students, and interns.
12. Show adherence to the budget. If other sources of funding are necessary, child life will elicit assistance from the foundation or engage in grant writing.
13. Deliver outreach and education in community settings. Outreach may include support for family programming or support groups.
14. Adheres to regular and predictable attendance.
15. Personally interacts, engages with and cares for patients.
16. Ensures patient safety.
17. Perform other job related duties as assigned.
Education and Learning:
REQUIRED
Bachelor's degree in a related field Official approval of courses from the Child Life Council and completed 480-hour child life internship.
DESIRED
Bachelor's degree in Child Life
Work Experience:
REQUIRED 2 years experience in a Pediatric medical setting.
DESIRED 2 years experience as a Child Life Specialist in a Children's Medical Center.

License and Certifications:
REQUIRED Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within one year of hire date
DESIRED Current Infant-Adult Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (with hands on learning) from one of the following programs; American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
Age Specific Population Served:
Pediatric (1 - 12 years)
Adolescent (13 - 17 years)
OSHA Category: Category I -
All Employees in this job title have a reasonably anticipated risk of occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious materials.
Environmental Conditions:
Exposed to infectious diseases.
Physical Requirements/Demands Of The Position:
Sitting Continually (67-100% or 8 hours)
Static Standing Continually (67-100% or 8 hours)
Walking/Standing Continually (67-100% or 8 hours)
Stooping/Bending Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)
Squatting Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)
Kneeling/Half Kneel Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)
Climbing Stair Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)
Reaching - Shoulder Level Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours)
Repetitive Actions - Fine Manipulation Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours)
Lifting - Other Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)
Push/Pull (Static Force) Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)
If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact *** or call ***
Equal Opportunity Employer