Children's Nebraska·Omaha, Nebraska
The Child Life Specialist provides therapeutic, educational, and recreational programs for patients, planning activities that support their growth and psycho-social needs. They also prepare patients for medical procedures and advocate for their needs within the healthcare team.
Child Life Specialist requires successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required prior to hire. Learn how to become certified: https://www.childlife.org/certification/become-certified $2,000 Hiring Bonus + Relocation offered The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska is a world-class facility providing the full spectrum of pediatric behavioral and mental health services for children and their families. Located on our main hospital campus to provide a convenient continuum of care, the center will offer a crisis assessment center, behavioral health urgent care, 40 single-occupancy inpatient beds, a partial hospitalization program and outpatient services – all guided by our innovative, trauma-informed model of care.
This position provides a comprehensive animal assisted therapy facility dog program that supports the emotional, developmental, and social needs of children in a health care setting. You'll also provide opportunities for children to gain a sense of mastery, offering play and learning experiences, and encouraging family and peer interaction through animal assisted therapy.
Essential Functions Performs a variety of functions related to the facility dog and Child Life.
Coordinates and executes safe, therapeutic animal assisted therapy
Provides supervision and care for one facility dog and oversight of all animals working within the animal assisted therapy program
Provides child life assessments and normalizes the hospital environment for patients and families
Conducts formal and informal developmental assessments of psychosocial needs of patients and families, as evidenced by observation or documentation in the medical record
Promotes and provides developmentally appropriate interventions for patients and families
Plans and implements animal assisted therapy utilizing developmentally appropriate interventions according to the therapeutic plan, targeting specific patient care goals, as evidenced by unit peer feedback and documentation in medical record
Represents and communicates psychosocial issues of pediatric health care and the benefits of animal assisted therapy to professionals outside of child life
Communicates the benefits of animal assisted therapy to the health care team, as evidenced by participation in interdisciplinary rounds, unit based projects, and/or daily report as evidenced by unit leadership team observation and unit peer feedback
Participates in professional development of self and other child life professionals
Maintains Child Life certification by tracking professional development hours per appraisal year
Collaborates in an intradepartmental effort to support the mission and vision of the Child Life Department
Effectively promotes high quality animal assisted therapy services by providing timely and honest feedback as evidenced by department peer feedback and/ or observation
Performs skills of a Child Life Specialist in conjunction with handler role.
Education Qualifications Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or related field required Successful completion of an internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Specialists required Experience Qualifications Clinical internship is a minimum of 600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist required Minimum of one year experience as a Child Life Specialist is required Experience with care of animals is preferred Skills and Abilities Requires experience with children generally acquired through field experience and a Child Life internship which meets the standards set by the Association of Child Life Professionals Possesses interpersonal skills which enable the individual to establish professional rapport with patients and families, and possesses assertive skills necessary to advocate effectively for patients and families. Licenses and Certifications CCLS - Certified Child Life Specialist within two years of hire date required BCLS - Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association required
Children’s is an equal opportunity employer, embracing and valuing the unique strengths and differences of people. We cultivate an inclusive environment of respect and trust where we all belong. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. IND123
Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field, along with a completed internship meeting the Association of Child Life Specialists standards. Certification as a Child Life Specialist is required within two years of hire.
Market context
Behavioral health and pediatric support roles in Nebraska often draw steady interest because they combine direct patient care with specialized training. This position is competitive because employers typically look for a relevant bachelor’s degree, a completed Child Life internship, and a plan to earn Child Life Specialist certification within two years. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your internship documentation and certification timeline before applying.