Description

We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.

At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!

This job leads and oversees the Child Life program, ensuring the delivery of therapeutic services that support the development, emotional, intellectual, and psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and families within the hospital setting. Provides clinical oversight, operational leadership, and coordination of individual and group interventions, developmental assessments, and medical preparation activities. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and organizational partners to support program initiatives, fundraising efforts, workforce planning, and staff organization and training. Supervises day-to-day operations of the Child Life Department and oversees the maintenance of Professional Development Hours (PDH) to ensure ongoing certification compliance.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Education

Required - Bachelor's degree in child development, child life, psychology, or related field.

Preferred - Master's degree.

Work Experience

Required - 2 or more years of Child Life clinical experience.

Preferred - Leadership or supervisory experience in pediatric healthcare settings.

Certifications

Required - Certified Child Life Certification (CCLS).

Preferred - Advanced pediatric or leadership certifications.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal with patients, families, multidisciplinary team members, departmental peers, and community agency personnel effectively and courteously.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (e.g. 24/7, weekend, holiday, on call availability) and travel throughout and between facilities.

Job Duties

• Oversees daily operations of Child Life services and supervises Child Life Specialist, Interns, and Assistants to ensure high-quality psychosocial care and patient support.
• Provides clinical guidance and ensures adherence to certification standards and best practices.
• Develops, implements, and monitors program goals aligned with departmental and organizational priorities, supporting quality improvement and regulatory compliance.
• Partners with academic institutions and community stakeholders to support internship programs, workforce development, and education initiatives.
• Leads staff development activities, including onboarding, mentoring, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Monitors program quality, compliance, and performance metrics.
• Collaborates with leadership to enhance pediatric care delivery, patient education, and family centered support services.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations, and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns. The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to perform or assist in emergency care or first aid.
There is no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply Today!

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or careers@ochsner.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.