Highlights
keyword(s): Child Life Specialist, CCLS, Certified Child Life Specialist, Pediatric Healthcare, Children's Hospital, Child Development, Therapeutic Play, Pediatric Patient Advocate, Family Centered Care, Pediatric Support, Child Life, Pediatric Education, Patient Experience, Healthcare Careers, PRN Healthcare, Hospital Jobs, Pediatric Specialist, Child Psychology, Child and Family Services, Children's Services, Pediatric Surgery, Pre-Op Education, Pediatric Care, Medical Play, Coping Skills, Emotional Support, Pediatric Therapy, Healthcare Education, Pediatric Programs, St. Louis Healthcare Jobs, Mercy Kids, Mercy Children's Hospital, Pediatric Hospital Careers, Child Life Careers, Child Development Specialist, Family Support Services, Volunteer Coordination, Pediatric Procedures, Child Advocate. That's why our Child Life Specialists play a vital role in creating positive experiences, reducing anxiety, and helping children navigate healthcare with confidence.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Saint Louis, MO |
| Industry | Healthcare Services |
| Company Size | 10,000 employees or more |
| Year Founded | 1986 |
| Website | https://www.mercy.net/ |
Description
Find your calling at Mercy!
PRN | Flexible Scheduling | Pediatric Healthcare
Help Children Thrive Through Compassionate Care
At Mercy Kids St. Louis, we understand that a hospital stay can be overwhelming for children and their families. That's why our Child Life Specialists play a vital role in creating positive experiences, reducing anxiety, and helping children navigate healthcare with confidence.
We're seeking a compassionate, creative, and dedicated Child Life Specialist to join our team on a PRN basis. In this role, you'll provide emotional support, therapeutic interventions, education, and play opportunities that promote coping, development, and healing for pediatric patients and their families.
Position Details:
Why Mercy Kids?
Flexible PRN Schedule
Collaborative Pediatric Care Team
Meaningful Impact on Children and Families
Opportunities to Lead Special Events and Programs
Supportive and Mission-Driven Culture
What You'll Do
As a Child Life Specialist, you will:
- Provide developmentally appropriate education, preparation, and support for children undergoing tests, procedures, surgeries, and treatments
- Help reduce fear and anxiety through therapeutic play, coping strategies, and emotional support
- Advocate for patients and families while promoting patient- and family-centered care
- Assess patient and family needs and develop individualized treatment goals and care plans
- Facilitate therapeutic group and individual activities that support normal growth and development
- Reassess treatment goals and modify interventions based on changing patient needs
- Orient patients and families to Child Life services and available resources
- Provide clear and effective patient and family education throughout the continuum of care
- Support a safe environment during all therapeutic activities
- Coordinate special events, celebrations, and enrichment opportunities for patients and families
- Collaborate with volunteers, community organizations, entertainers, and support groups to enhance the patient experience
- Conduct pre-operative tours and surgical preparation as needed
- Educate hospital departments about Child Life services and serve as a resource across Mercy Children's Hospital
- Supervise Child Life students, interns, and volunteers
- Complete documentation accurately and within established timelines
- Manage department supplies and equipment while maintaining budget stewardship
- Stay current on best practices, technical advancements, and therapeutic approaches in Child Life
What We're Looking For
We are seeking candidates who are:
- Passionate about supporting pediatric patients and their families
- Compassionate, energetic, and patient-focused
- Creative in developing therapeutic and educational activities
- Strong communicators and advocates
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively
- Organized, adaptable, and dependable
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, Education, or a related field
- Child Life Certification (CCLS)
- Previous experience in a pediatric hospital, healthcare, or child development setting
- Experience supporting children through medical procedures and hospitalizations
- Experience supervising students, interns, or volunteers
Join Mercy Kids St. Louis
If you're passionate about helping children cope, heal, and thrive during challenging healthcare experiences, we invite you to join our award-winning pediatric team. Your expertise, creativity, and compassion can make a lasting difference for the children and families we serve every day.
Apply today to become a PRN Child Life Specialist with Mercy Kids St. Louis.
Why Mercy?
From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.
Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.
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About Company
Our Mercy health system was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1986. But our heritage goes back more than 185 years. It began with an Irish woman named Catherine McAuley, who wanted to help the poor women and children of Dublin. Though Catherine had a modest upbringing, she received an unexpected inheritance that allowed her to fulfill her dreams. In 1827, she opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, intending to teach skills to poor women and educate children. Many volunteers came to help. A few years later, Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy, the first religious order not bound to the rules of the cloister, whose Sisters were free to walk among the poor and visit them in their homes. By the time Catherine died in 1841, there were convents in Ireland and England, and in 1843, the Sisters of Mercy came to the United States. In 1871, they traveled to St. Louis and from there throughout the Midwest, beginning what would, today be known as Mercy.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy's IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.