Child Life Specialist I, Family Support Services, Wolfson Children's Hospital

Baptist Health is seeking a compassionate and certified Child Life Specialist to join our Family Support Services team at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. This full-time Child Life Specialist job offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of pediatric patients and their families.  As a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), you will provide comprehensive pediatric psychosocial support and promote coping strategies through therapeutic play, emotional support, and developmentally appropriate interventions. You will work closely with children, adolescents, and families facing hospitalization, illness, injury, and treatment. Your role is essential in reducing trauma and anxiety by facilitating medical preparation, coping plans, and collaborative, patient-centered care in alignment with Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) standards.

As a Certified Child Life Specialist, you will be responsible for:

• Provide individualized child life assessments, coping support, and procedural preparation to children and families

• Use evidence-based child development theories and play therapy techniques to meet emotional, social, and developmental needs

• Deliver pre- and post-procedural education and age-appropriate support for a wide range of medical treatments

• Facilitate therapeutic play activities, distraction techniques, and emotional safety measures during medical procedures

• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary care teams to develop and implement personalized care plans

• Promote family-centered care, advocacy, and inclusion in healthcare decision-making

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field

• Completion of a Child Life Internship (must have been completed within the past year)

• Child Life Certification (CCLS) – or eligibility to obtain within 18 months of hire

• Strong knowledge of pediatric healthcare, child development, and clinical best practices

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a passion for family-centered care

Wolfson Children’s Hospital, part of Baptist Health, is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report and recognized as a Magnet-designated pediatric hospital. As one of the leading children’s hospitals in Florida, we deliver advanced, specialized care in areas such as pediatric oncology, cardiology, neurology, neonatology, and child psychology. Our team is dedicated to providing a supportive, healing environment where children and families feel empowered, safe, and heard.

If you are interested in this full time, Certified Child Life Specialist opportunity, please apply today or email: jaime.mahan@bmcjaxc.com

Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Education Preferred

Master's Degree

Experience

License and Certification

Location

Wolfson Children's Hospital
800 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville FL 32207

Location Overview Wolfson Children's Hospital

Wolfson Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in the region, serving North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best children’s hospitals in the U.S., the hospital is staffed by skilled pediatric subspecialty physicians, pediatric nurses and other health care professionals, and equipped with advanced technology to help children overcome serious illnesses like congenital heart disease, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and more. As one of only two children’s hospitals in Florida to receive Magnet™ status, Wolfson is a regional referral center for tertiary pediatric care. Centrally located on the beautiful St. Johns River, 213-bed Wolfson Children’s Hospital is a part of Baptist Health.

The hospital is located close to the shops and fine dining of the historic San Marco area and is also near sports stadiums, theater and music venues, and museums.