Catholic Health·West Islip, New York
The Child Life Specialist provides psychosocial care to pediatric patients to reduce stress and promote adaptive coping through therapeutic play and developmental support. They also prepare children for medical procedures and offer counseling to families to assist with their adaptation to healthcare experiences.
By growing in every aspect of patient experience and quality, Catholic Health is becoming the most preferred choice on Long Island.
From the bedside to the exam room to training and safety and every human moment in between — we’re dedicated to providing better care for our communities.
Every patient.
Every moment.
That’s what it means to be dedicated to better.
A member of Catholic Health, Good Samaritan University Hospital, is a non-profit 537- bed (including 100 nursing home beds) teaching hospital and a member of Catholic Health.
With almost 900 physicians on staff, and a level I Trauma Center, we care for well over 100,000 patients annually across the south shore of Long Island.
Our reputation for excellence is built on great choices and empowered leadership, and fosters a team that is focused on evidence based practice, continual learning and exceptional quality of care.
Provides a program of psychosocial care for children and families designed to reduce stress, increase adaptive coping, and enhance developmental integrity by offering opportunities to play, learn, and interact with others in an emotionally and physically safe environment Provides opportunities for and facilitates play and activities which promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery. Develops a plan of care based on assessment of child’s development, temperament, coping style, medical plan and available social support using therapeutic play as a diagnostic and treatment tool. Records in the medical record. Offers support and counsel to family members to assist with their adaptation to the child’s illness and health-care experiences and deal with their own stress and needs. Provides orientation to health-care experiences and personnel. Provides preparation for medical and surgical procedures. Maintains a clean and organized work environment that supports the child and family, encouraging play and creative interaction in the playroom and other designated common areas. Employee assists in clinical education of student from clinical affiliates when appropriate. Assists in orienting hospital staff to the psychosocial needs of children and their families and fosters positive hospital-community relations.
Baccalaureate degree in Child Life, Child Development, Creative Arts Therapy or related field. Eligible for and must obtain Child Life certification (C.C.L.S.) within 18 months of hire. Creative Arts Therapy (A.T.R., M.T., etc.) registration/certification eligibility is preferred, where applicable, within 24 months of hire. BLS or CPR/AED training required and accepted from American Heart Association-BLS/ACLS for Healthcare Providers(CPR &AED Program American Red Cross-CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Demonstrate strong communication (both oral and written), interpersonal, and analytical skills and a knowledge of medical terminology. Computer proficiency and strong telephone skills. Strong communication skills. Ability to multitask. Record keeping skills. Can multitask and work efficiently. Knowledge of medical terminology. Ability to use, maintain and troubleshoot office equipment. At least two year experience, in a medical environment preferred, Oncology experience preferred Completion of a 600-hour internship in Child Life. 1+ years’ experience in a pediatric healthcare or educational setting is preferred. For Creative Arts Therapy applicants an additional internship in a creative arts therapy modality is preferred.
Usd $34.57 - Usd $47.73 /Hr.
This range serves as a good faith estimate and actual pay will encompass a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience. The salary range or rate listed does not include any bonuses/incentive, differential pay or other forms of compensation that may be applicable to this job and it does not include the value of benefits. At Catholic Health, we believe in a people-first approach. In addition to the estimated base pay provided, Catholic Health offers generous benefits packages, generous tuition assistance, a defined benefit pension plan, and a culture that supports professional and educational growth.
Market context
In New York, Child Life Specialist openings are often tied to pediatric hospitals and other child-focused care settings, so candidates may see steady demand where family-centered support is a priority. These roles are competitive because employers typically look for a bachelor’s degree, several years of relevant experience, CCLS certification, and Child Life Professionals membership at hire. Review the original posting carefully and confirm your certification timeline, since this platform AI-summarizes requirements and benefits from the source description to save research time.