About Child Life

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) are trained professionals with backgrounds in child development, psychology, or related fields, along with a special certification in Child Life. They support pediatric patients, their families and children of adult patients by helping them manage the stress and challenges of being in the hospital.

Child Life Specialists help children and families understand medical procedures, new diagnoses and injuries. They use activities like therapeutic play to reduce anxiety and promote coping. Their goal is to help children and families cope with their experiences, build resilience and support emotional well-being.

Child Life Specialists are available in the following areas:

Burn Center

Child Life Specialists at Parkland Burn Center provide crucial support to children who have burn injuries and their families. They provide age-appropriate education about treatments, preparation for procedures, and use play and distraction techniques to help reduce fear and anxiety while promoting emotional resilience. Child Life also supports siblings and children of adult patients with emotional guidance and trauma-informed care.

When a child is ready to return to school and their community, Child Life helps with that transition. This may include peer education, school visits and personalized coping plans. Child Life also brings moments of joy and comfort through special programs and visitors, including KidLinks therapeutic music volunteers, Dec My Room, Laughter League clowns, and Burn Camp I-Thonka-Chi.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Child Life Specialists support not only the tiniest patients but also their siblings and caregivers. Even in the earliest stages of life, developmental play is essential to help infants reach important milestones. Child Life encourages growth and bonding through sensory experiences, gentle touch and appropriate stimulation to help babies meet their needs.

Siblings often need help understanding why their new baby brother or sister is in the hospital. Child Life helps ease this confusion by offering education and emotional support that fits each child's age and needs. They also guide caregivers in bonding with their baby and offer support during medical procedures or challenging moments.

Trauma Center

Child Life Specialists in the trauma department support children and their families experiencing sudden or life-threatening injuries. They use age-appropriate education, emotional support and preparation for procedures to lessen fear and confusion. Techniques like medical play, distraction and guided imagery help reduce anxiety and give kids a sense of control.

Child Life also supports the children and families of adult patients by helping them understand what is happening, manage emotional stress and access grief and bereavement resources when needed. They work closely with trauma teams and mental health providers to help ensure care is compassionate and family-centered.

Student Opportunities

The Child Life team offers a 600-hour internship that provides students with a structured, supervised learning experience to support their development toward independent practice as child life specialists. Internships are offered during the spring and fall semesters to students enrolled at an affiliated university.

Each internship is 16 weeks, full-time, and unpaid, and includes three clinical rotations: Burn Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Trauma.

Application timelines, interview dates and offer deadlines adhere to Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) guidelines, available on the ACLP website. To apply, applicants should email a completed ACLP Internship Readiness Common Application along with a current résumé to the Student Program Coordinator at Emily.Ha@phhs.org.

Location

Parkland Memorial Hospital
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, 75235
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Hours

Monday - Friday | 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Contact Us

For more information and to contact Child Life, email ChildLife@phhs.org.