Child Development Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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.

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

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

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.

• This Child Life Specialist is responsible for supporting patients in the Children's Emergency Department and throughout Randall Children's Hospital during the evening hours and on the weekends. 

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.

• Must obtain Certified Child Life Certification (CCLS) from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) within one year of employment.

Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.

If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply-even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.

Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you