Pediatric Child Life Specialist at Legacy Health – PORTLAND, Oregon

Legacy Health

Pediatric Child Life Specialist

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled
US-OR-PORTLAND

Job ID: 26-46509
Type: Regular Full-Time
Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel

Overview

Pediatric Child Life Specialist – Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel

Relocation assistance available for new hires!

At Legacy Health, we’re passionate about making life better for others—especially our youngest patients and their families. As a Child Life Specialist, you’ll bring hope, comfort, and emotional support to children experiencing illness, injury, or hospitalization. Your compassion and creativity in therapeutic play, education, and emotional support will make a lasting difference in their healing journey.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel is one of the leading pediatric centers in the Pacific Northwest. Designed exclusively for children, our state-of-the-art facility combines advanced medical care with a warm, family-centered environment. From routine care to the most complex cases, families trust our team to provide exceptional, compassionate care—every day.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

As a valued member of our interdisciplinary care team, you will:

• Support pediatric and adolescent patients and families coping with hospitalization, treatment, or loss
• Use therapeutic play, education, and preparation to reduce fear and anxiety
• Help patients build effective coping skills and self-expression through evidence-based interventions
• Provide guidance and emotional support for parents, siblings, and caregivers
• Partner closely with nurses, physicians, and therapists to ensure emotionally safe, developmentally appropriate care
• Plan and lead activities, celebrations, and events that bring joy and normalcy to the hospital experience
• Mentor students and volunteers, and contribute to ongoing education within the hospital and community

Specialty Focus

This position supports Randall Children’s Hospital’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, working across inpatient, outpatient, and day treatment settings. You’ll accompany children and families throughout the continuum of care—helping them prepare for and cope with medical procedures, treatments, and life-changing moments.

Why Join Legacy

• Work with a passionate, mission-driven pediatric team
• Access professional growth and education opportunities
• Contribute to a culture that values empathy, teamwork, and innovation
• Relocation assistance available for candidates new to Legacy Health

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or related field with all clinical coursework for clinical Child Life Certification completed.
• Completion of a 600-hour Child Life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Work experience with children, youth, and families in non-healthcare settings also preferred.

Skill Requirements:

• Plans and implements comprehensive Child Life services.
• Broad knowledge of child developmental theories, specific illnesses/diagnosis, medical terminology physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of children 0-21 years.
• Ability to assess and respond to the developmental and psychosocial needs of infants, children, youth, and families using the theories of human growth and development, therapeutic play, and emotionally supportive interventions.
• Provides emotionally supportive play and preparation for pediatric patients undergoing surgery, medical tests, and procedures.
• Enhances patient's and family's understanding of medical procedures and diagnosis by facilitating developmentally appropriate procedural preparation and support.
• Partner with interdisciplinary team, including patient and family, to create a collaborative plan of care.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills, including effectively triaging patient and family needs.
• Ability to supervise child life students and volunteers.
• Demonstrates technology skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.