Child Life Specialist

Where kids and families are always first 

At MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network, caring for kids is more than what we do — it’s our purpose. As the state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and the only pediatric hospital in Washington’s South Sound, we provide a comprehensive network of care designed specifically for children and adolescents.  

 

Our vision is to be the safest, highest-quality place for children to receive care, where every child has a medical home and every family feels supported.

FTE: 0.7, Shift: Variable, Schedule: TBD - but will include weekend, daytime, and possible evenings

Position Summary

The Child Life Specialist is responsible for providing educational, emotional and social support to patients, their families, and the community by conducting educational and recreational programs that minimize the psychological trauma for infants, children, and adolescents in the health care setting. Program goals are to provide positive, developmentally supportive experiences which assist patient in reducing fear and anxiety associated with hospitalization. Child life specialists provide ongoing opportunities for play, diversional activities, self-expression and interactions with other hospital children. This position requires strong organization skills, prioritization, good judgment, independent thinking, and decision making within the scope of the positions responsibilities. Internal contacts include patient care staff and management throughout the organization. External contacts include patients, families, physicians, and outside organizations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in child development, child life, or related field required
• Child Life Specialist Certification within one year of hire
• Clinical and/or internship experience (600 hours under Certified Child Life Specialist) required
• Previous work experience with infants, children, and adolescents as well as a working knowledge of children and/or adolescents under stress preferred
• Current BLS Certification required

About Mary Bridge Children’s 

For more than 70 years, MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network has cared for children and families across the South Sound. Anchored by an 82-bed pediatric hospital in Tacoma, Mary Bridge offers a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a 24-hour pediatric-only Emergency Department and a state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. 

 

As a comprehensive pediatric health network, Mary Bridge delivers expert, family-centered care across inpatient, outpatient and specialty services, supported by multidisciplinary teams dedicated to the unique needs of every child and family we serve. 

 

Why Mary Bridge Children's? 

 

Built for children and families 

Delivering care designed specifically for kids and the families who support them, with a strong focus on family-centered care. 

 

Award-winning care 

Named a Top Children’s Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, earning this national recognition six times in the past eight years, with physicians consistently recognized on Top Doctors lists by Seattle Magazine, Seattle Met and the Tacoma News Tribune. 

 

Growing for the future 

A new pediatric hospital and medical office building designed to support the future of children’s care. 

 

Well-being and support 

Generous time off, wellness resources and programs designed to help you maintain balance in your work and life. 

 

Living our values 

Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other. 

 

Pacific Northwest lifestyle 

Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life. 

Pay and Benefit Expectations

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $34.80 - $50.10 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant’s years of experience align.

Associated benefit information can be viewed here.