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Child Life Specialist, Part-time, .5FTE

Children's Wisconsin · Milwaukee, WI · Part time

Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you supported a family through a very hard diagnosis or loss.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle grief and trauma with care and stay steady themselves.

How do you take care of yourself after an emotionally heavy shift?

What they are checking: Whether they have healthy ways to manage the emotional weight of this work.

What would you do

A parent's anxiety is making their child more scared during a procedure. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can gently guide parents into a supportive role for their child.

A nurse wants to start a procedure right away, but you think the child needs a few more minutes to prepare. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can advocate for the child while respecting clinical timing and the team.

This is a 0.5 FTE role. How would you build relationships with your units when you're only there part of the week?

What they are checking: Whether they have a plan to stay connected and useful despite a part-time schedule.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd prepare a six-year-old for an IV start.

What they are checking: Whether they use developmentally appropriate language, play and coping plans for procedures.

How does your approach change for a toddler versus a teenager?

What they are checking: Whether they have a solid grasp of child development and adjust support by age.

How do you document your assessments and interventions so the rest of the team can use them?

What they are checking: Whether they see documentation as part of the care team's shared plan, not just a task.

What evidence-based practices guide your work as a CLS?

What they are checking: Whether they ground their work in research, as the posting's evidence-based approach expects.

Are you certified as a Child Life Specialist, and how do you keep up with continuing education?

What they are checking: Whether they hold current certification and stay current in their field.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Children's Wisconsin.

At Children’s Wisconsin, we believe kids deserve the best. Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We provide primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. Our reputation draws patients and families from around the country. We offer a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities and are seeking individuals dedicated to helping us achieve our vision of the healthiest kids in the country. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference for children and families, and encourages you to be at your best every day, please apply today. Please follow this link for a closer look at what it’s like to work at Children’s Wisconsin: https://www.instagram.com/lifeatcw/ Position Summary: The Child Life Specialist (CLS) is an essential member of the health care team, supporting the psychosocial needs of the child and family. Through play, preparation, procedural support and education a CLS helps children and families to cope with the stress and trauma often associated with a hospitalization. Using an evidence-based approach to clinical practice, a CLS is responsible for providing ongoing assessment of patient care for the duration of the healthcare experience. Position Requirements: • Understanding of child life, child growth and development, child psychology and family dynamics acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree in child life, child development or related field. Completion of a 600 hour internship experience and one year of experience working with children in a health care setting required. • Completion of a second internship experience as required through a Master’s program preferred. • Current CPR certification - Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers • Certified Child Life Specialist credentials or able to complete within first year of employment • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served; knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. • Demonstrated proficiency in verbal and written communication. This includes: assessment, evaluation and provision of accurate and timely handoff of child and family information with members of the healthcare team. • Analytical skills to observe and assess behaviors in order to direct appropriate therapeutic play programming and interventions in support of the individual child/family. Children's Wisconsin is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by the law. Certifications/Licenses: BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider - American Heart Association/American Red Cross/National Safety Council, CCLS-Certified Child Life Specialist - Association of Child Life Professionals

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