Child Life Specialist at UW Health

Work Schedule

Part-time, 50% FTE, day/evening. Shifts are scheduled Monday - Friday, flexible shifts due to patient care needs. No weekends required. Hours may vary based on the operational needs of the department.

Position will start March 1, 2026.

Be part of something remarkable

Come make a difference in the lives of pediatric patients at UW Health.

We Are Seeking a Child Life Specialist To

• Provide age-appropriate information and administer appropriate child life therapies in conjunction with the patient's age, medical condition, and family/significant others.
• Work with both outpatients and inpatients (and families) during their medical encounters to foster a level of trust and comfort, which allows children to express their fears, discontents, and misconceptions about their care.
• Advocate for patients and provide appropriate clinical interventions to the ever-changing needs of children with chronic illness and handicapping conditions that are potentially disruptive to children's development and effective family functioning.
• Work with an interdisciplinary team to set priorities in the planning, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic and psychosocial programming of child life services with all children and families receiving care in the outpatient and inpatient areas.
  
  

At UW Health, You Will Have

• An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
• Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance.
• Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
• Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.
• The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field Required
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field Preferred
  
  

Work Experience

• Completion of a Child Life internship with a minimum of 480 hours in a pediatric health care setting Required
• At least two (2) years of related experience working with children and adolescents in a hospital setting Preferred
• Experience in specific specialty area Preferred
• Paid clinical experience Preferred
  
  

Licenses & Certifications

• Certified as a Child Life Specialist by the Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP) or certification in progress with ability to obtain this credential within 1 Year Required
• CPR certification or attain certification within 90 Days Required
  
  

Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging

UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Eastpark Medical Center - UW Health's state-of-the-art ambulatory facility located across from East Madison Hospital on Eastpark Blvd. transforms the patient experience. It is home to many specialties, including women's complex care, adult cancer care, advanced imaging and laboratory services and innovative clinical trials.

View Full Job Description

UW Hospital and Clinics benefits