The Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida is seeking a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) for a part-time position embedded within its nationally and internationally recognized pediatric orthopedic program. This role sits at the intersection of child development science and complex orthopedic care — supporting children and families navigating congenital, developmental, and post-traumatic conditions at one of the most specialized limb-reconstruction and spine institutes in the world. The position offers a clinically rich environment where child life practice directly shapes the psychosocial experience of a uniquely vulnerable and diverse pediatric population.
Perks and Benefits
- Part-time employment with access to a comprehensive benefits package (eligibility determined by employment status and location)
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Continuing education and career development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Part-time Child Life Specialist role integrated into the pediatric care team at a highly specialized orthopedic and spine institute
- Patient population includes children with congenital, developmental, and post-traumatic orthopedic conditions — including limb reconstruction and spine cases — drawn from the local community, across the United States, and internationally
- Institute philosophy centers on reconstruction over amputation, with a strong commitment to limb and joint preservation and functional restoration — a clinically and emotionally complex environment for child life practice
- Delivers psychosocially and developmentally supportive programming through therapeutic and developmental play to reduce distress and maintain normal life patterns during hospitalization and treatment
- Serves as a child and family advocate within the hospital system, applying child development expertise to optimize the pediatric care environment
- Provides guidance and supervision to volunteers, students, and visiting groups
- Collaborates with an experienced, multidisciplinary team of orthopedic professionals providing coordinated, patient-specific care
- Opportunity to originate and implement new methods and programming to meet the evolving needs of a diverse pediatric patient population
Qualifications
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential required
- Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Psychology, or Social Work required
- Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Child Life Specialist required
- Demonstrated knowledge of child development principles and their application in a pediatric healthcare setting
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and adapt to evolving care processes
About the Community
West Palm Beach sits on Florida's southeastern Atlantic coast, offering year-round warm weather, beaches, and a vibrant arts and cultural scene anchored by the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the Norton Museum of Art. The city provides a high quality of life with diverse dining, waterfront recreation, and proximity to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale — making it an attractive destination for professionals seeking an urban lifestyle with easy access to outdoor amenities. Florida's lack of a state income tax adds a meaningful financial dimension for relocating clinicians.