What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child Life Specialist (CCLS) – Pediatric Palliative Care / Hospice position at Hospice Maui?
About the Role
Join our Hospice Maui ʻohana and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
We are seeking a compassionate Child Life Specialist (CCLS) to support pediatric patients receiving palliative care, concurrent care (curative palliative), and hospice services. This role focuses on psychosocial support, therapeutic play, grief support, and family-centered care across the continuum of serious illness and end-of-life care.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a growing Pediatric Palliative Care Program serving children and families throughout Maui County and in association with the Hawaii Hospice and Palliative Care Collaborative, whose members provide services to all neighbor islands.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide developmentally appropriate psychosocial support to pediatric patients and families
- Utilize therapeutic play, expressive interventions, and coping strategies
- Prepare children and families for medical procedures, disease progression, and end-of-life transitions
- Support siblings and caregivers with grief, bereavement, and emotional processing
- Facilitate legacy-building and memory-making activities
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary hospice team (RN, Social Worker, Chaplain, Physician)
- Participate in care planning, IDT meetings, and family conferences
- Document assessments and interventions in EMR
- Contribute to program development, pediatric education, and community outreach
- Support services across home, inpatient, and virtual care settings
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, or related field
- Completion of child life coursework and 600-hour clinical internship
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) prequired
- Experience in pediatric healthcare, hospice, palliative care, or grief support preferred
- Strong skills in child development, family systems, communication, and emotional support
Work Environment & Schedule
- Home visits, hospice/inpatient care, and virtual support
- Inter-island travel required (minimum 1x/week) if employee does not live on Maui
- Flexible schedule (primarily Monday–Friday, with occasional evenings/weekends)
- Opportunity to work across multiple hospice programs and pediatric care settings
Compensation
- Flexible employment options: Per Diem, Part-Time, or Full-Time
- Full-Time Equivalent Salary Range: $62,400 – $72,800 annually
- Higher range based on experience, certification, and pediatric hospice expertise
Why Join Hospice Maui?
- Be part of a compassionate, team-centered culture rooted in aloha
- Help build and expand pediatric palliative and hospice services in Hawaii
- Make a lasting difference in the lives of children, families, and communities
- Work alongside a dedicated interdisciplinary team committed to whole-person care
Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 20.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Pet insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you currently reside in the State of Hawaii and if so which island?
License/Certification:
- Certified Child Life Specialist Certification? (Required)
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wailuku, HI 96793
Salary : $62,400 - $72,800