Child Life Therapist – Pediatric Care

About the role

The Child Life Therapist provides emotional, developmental and psychosocial support to infants, children, adolescents and their families throughout hospitalisation, medical treatment and rehabilitation. Working within Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, the role aims to reduce anxiety, promote coping and create a child‑friendly environment through therapeutic play and education.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial and developmental assessments and create individualized care plans.
• Prepare children and families for procedures, surgeries and tests using age‑appropriate education.
• Deliver therapeutic play and medical play interventions to lessen stress and improve understanding.
• Support children with chronic illnesses, disabilities, trauma and complex conditions.
• Provide emotional support, guidance and education to parents, siblings and caregivers.
• Coordinate recreational and developmental activities to enhance the pediatric unit experience.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, participate in rounds and document care in the EMR.
• Educate staff on child development and therapeutic communication, and contribute to quality‑improvement initiatives.

Required profile

• 2–5 years of experience working with children in healthcare, pediatric rehabilitation, education or child‑development settings.
• Preferred certification: Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).
• Ability to work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers and therapists.

Required skills