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Child Life Specialist
Company : Shriners Children's Florida
Location : Galveston, TX, 77550
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 2 January 2026
Company Overview
Shriners Children’s is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. Named as the 2025 best mid-sized employer by Forbes, we are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.
All employees are eligible for medical coverage on their first day! In addition, upon hire all employees are eligible for a 403(b) and Roth 403 (b) Retirement Saving Plan with matching contributions of up to 6% after one year of service. Employees in a FT or PT status (40+ hours per pay period) will also be eligible for paid time off, life insurance, short term and long-term disability and the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans and a Health Savings Account (HSA) if a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) is elected. Additional benefits available to FT and PT employees include tuition reimbursement, home & auto, hospitalization, critical illness, pet insurance and much more! Coverage is available to employees and their qualified dependents in accordance with the plans. Benefits may vary based on state law.
Job Overview
The Child Life Specialist Provides evaluation, therapeutic play, preparation, procedural support, special events and reintegration programming. The Child Life Specialist is responsible to work with children, from infancy through adolescence, in a family centered care environment. This position provides services in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The Specialist utilizes these practices in an effort to facilitate coping techniques and promote normal growth and development of the patient and family.
Responsibilities
- Performs an individualized assessment to college comprehensive and accurate data necessary to assess development, temperament, coping style, medical plan, cultural preferences and practices and available social supports in order to develop an individualized development plan.
- Plans and implements an individualized treatment plan that identifies goals and evidence based treatment intervention strategies
- Participates in interdisciplinary patient care planning
- Utilizes the EMR to document relevant patient and family information
- Plans, implements or assists with camps/workshops/special events.
This is not an all-inclusive list of this job’s responsibilities. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field required.
Masters degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field preferred.
Certification/Licensure
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), or be eligible to sit for the certification exam
Experience
One year’s experience in a hospital child life program preferred
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Frequently asked questions
Galveston’s healthcare sector shows a moderate demand for Child Life Specialists, especially in pediatric specialty hospitals like Shriners Children's Florida. Competition exists but candidates with certification and hospital experience tend to stand out, making local networking and specialized credentials valuable for securing roles.
In Texas, the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential is highly regarded, often preferred or required for hospital positions. Employers value this certification as it demonstrates proficiency in child development and therapeutic play interventions essential for roles in pediatric care environments.
Child Life Specialists focus on therapeutic support and coping strategies for children facing medical procedures, emphasizing individualized assessments and family-centered care. Unlike general child care roles, they integrate clinical knowledge with emotional support tailored to children’s developmental and cultural needs.
This role offers pathways into advanced clinical practice, leadership in child development programs, or specialization in areas like procedural support or research. Building expertise through certification and interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to senior specialist roles or educational positions.
Daily tasks often include conducting developmental assessments, preparing children for procedures via therapeutic play, collaborating with medical teams for care planning, and facilitating special events or reintegration programs that support emotional and social well-being.
Shriners Children's Florida emphasizes evidence-based practice combined with innovation and resilience, providing a supportive learning culture. Specialists engage in interdisciplinary care with a strong focus on global impact and family-centered approaches, distinguishing it from more traditional hospital environments.
Full-time employees gain immediate medical coverage, access to retirement plans with employer matching, paid time off, and optional insurance coverages including life, disability, and pet insurance. Additional perks like tuition reimbursement and flexible spending accounts enhance overall compensation.
Salaries for Child Life Specialists in Galveston typically range between $55,000 and $70,000 annually, aligning closely with the national median. Factors such as certification, experience, and employer type influence earnings, with specialty hospitals often offering competitive compensation packages.
Professionals may explore related fields such as child development research, educational program coordination, or therapeutic recreation. Roles in outpatient clinics, community health agencies, or non-profits focused on pediatric wellness also provide diverse opportunities to apply child life expertise.
The organization invests in a culture valuing innovation and critical thinking, offering access to continuing education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participation in special projects. This environment nurtures growth through evidence-based practices and global pediatric care initiatives.