CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

A Child Life Specialist brings structured developmental and emotional care into pediatric hospital units - inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, and procedure rooms alike. When no one fills this role, children face surgical preparation without age-appropriate explanation, and families absorb anxiety without a trained guide. Certification through the Child Life Certifying Commission (CCLS) is the professional standard. This position works across a formal interdisciplinary team that includes nurses, physicians, social workers, and psychologists, each with distinct mandates that this role does not duplicate.

You will own therapeutic play programming and psychosocial preparation for pediatric patients, serving as the Child Life Specialist who translates medical realities into developmentally appropriate language for children and their families. The role sits within the psychosocial unit of a pediatric care setting, collaborating daily across nursing, social work, and medical staff while reporting to a Child Life Supervisor or Director of Patient and Family Programs.

Career Impact: Earning and maintaining CCLS certification positions you as a credentialed specialist within a defined professional body, the Association of Child Life Professionals, with a recognized scope of practice distinct from allied roles.

Business Impact: Children who receive structured preparation and coping support before procedures demonstrate measurably reduced distress, directly affecting clinical throughput in pediatric procedure units.

Growth Opportunity: Experience across inpatient, outpatient, and oncology clinic settings broadens the clinical exposure needed to move into supervisory Child Life roles or program leadership within larger pediatric health systems.

• Assess developmental, emotional, and cultural needs of pediatric patients and families to determine individualized intervention priorities.
• Design and implement therapeutic play programs for inpatient, ambulatory, and outpatient pediatric populations spanning infancy through adolescence.
• Prepare children and families cognitively and emotionally for medical and surgical procedures using age-appropriate methods including medical play and guided demonstration.
• Provide coping support during identified stress points such as procedure rooms or the operating suite, applying tailored distraction and anxiety-reduction strategies.
• Document clinical assessments, intervention plans, and patient outcomes in the medical record with accuracy and in compliance with department standards.
• Collaborate with nurses, physicians, social workers, and psychologists through interdisciplinary rounds and care conferences to align the child life plan with the overall treatment plan.
• Deliver in-service education to hospital staff, students, and community members on child development and the psychosocial impact of illness and hospitalization.
• Supervise and guide child life students and volunteers, ensuring alignment with professional and departmental standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a closely related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience providing child life services in a clinical or health care setting, with demonstrated competency in therapeutic play intervention.
• Certification by the Child Life Certifying Commission (CCLS), or eligibility and completion within the timeframe established at hire.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Knowledge of human growth and development theories, family systems frameworks, and culturally responsive care practices.
• Ability to conduct formal assessments of developmental and emotional status and translate findings into individualized care plans.
• Proficiency with electronic medical record documentation and standard clinical communication systems.

• Completion of a 600-hour supervised Child Life internship in a pediatric inpatient setting, meeting ACLP standards.
• Experience in pediatric oncology, chronic illness management, or specialty outpatient clinic environments.
• Familiarity with evidence-based pain management and procedural support protocols in a pediatric acute care setting.
• Demonstrated experience presenting at professional conferences or leading community education programming on child health topics.

• Percentage of eligible patients receiving pre-procedure preparation, reflecting coverage of the core clinical mandate.
• Post-intervention distress observation scores, measuring reduction in patient-reported or clinician-observed anxiety following child life contact.
• Clinical documentation completion rate within department-defined timeframes, reflecting compliance with medical record standards.
• Referral follow-up turnaround in hours, tracking responsiveness to consult requests from the interdisciplinary team.
• Caseload volume per shift, benchmarked against departmental census and productivity targets set by the Child Life Supervisor.
• Typical tools: electronic medical record platforms (commonly Epic or Cerner); developmental assessment instruments used in pediatric clinical settings.

• Base Salary Range: $45,000 to $62,000 annually, depending on experience and location
• Bonus: Modest merit-based increases; performance bonuses uncommon in this sector
• Equity: Not typically offered in hospital or health system employment
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard
• PTO: 15 to 22 days annually, plus paid holidays per health system policy
• Common Perks: Continuing education allowance, CCLS renewal support, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Successful completion of a background check and, where required by the clinical setting, a drug screening is a condition of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process are encouraged to submit a request at any time. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

A key member of the pediatric care team, the Child Life Specialist owns the delivery of therapeutic play and psychosocial support for children and families navigating health care experiences. Collaborating with interdisciplinary hospital staff, students, and community programs, this role enables children to develop effective coping strategies while supporting continuity of care throughout and beyond hospitalization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide opportunities for and assist in facilitating a variety of play and activity forms that promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding, and mastery.
• Utilize therapeutic play techniques as diagnostic and treatment tools.
• Support family bonds and utilize family strengths in the care of the child.
• Provide orientation to health care experiences and personnel.
• Use developmentally appropriate methods in preparing children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Provide emotional support during identified stress points and utilize stress reduction techniques to facilitate effective coping.
• Interpret the child's perception of diagnosis and treatment as revealed through play and other means of verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Offer counsel specific to the impact of the health care experience, and extend support and counsel to family members with respect to their own stress and needs.
• Coordinate with programs to facilitate continuity of care after hospitalization and continuity in the child's normal life experiences.
• Provide interdisciplinary in-services for hospital staff, students, and community members on child development, the emotional impact of illness, and behavioral management.
• Provide consultation to the health care team regarding the developmental and emotional status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment.
• Facilitate planning, rehearsing, and implementing of coping strategies with children and families.
• Participate in continuing educational opportunities as a presenter and as a participant, and report information back to the department and healthcare team.
• Maintain good inter-departmental communication and work with related programs in the health care setting.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's level education in child or human development, education, or psychology.
• Successful completion of a Child Life Internship meeting the Association of Child Life Professionals requirement for Clinical Child Life Certification.
• Current BLS certification required.
• Child Life certificate required within two years of hire.
• One year of experience working with children in a health care or related setting preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

Embedded within outpatient pediatric and specialty clinics, the Child Life Specialist develops age-appropriate strategies to minimize trauma and increase patient understanding of medical diagnoses through therapeutic play, preparation, and education. Working closely with providers, nurses, and social workers, this role advances emotionally safe, developmentally informed care for children and families facing injury, illness, or disability.

Core Functions

• Identify and advocate for the needs of patients and families within the healthcare system and community.
• Support patients and families in adjusting to injury, diagnosis, acute or chronic illness, or disability.
• Develop age-appropriate strategies to minimize trauma and increase understanding of a medical diagnosis through therapeutic play, education, preparation, and activities that promote growth and development.
• Evaluate effectiveness of child life interventions and alter interventions based upon ongoing assessment and results.
• Implement appropriate intervention strategies and styles for individual patients and families to accomplish goals.
• Promote and support pain management utilizing a variety of coping strategies tailored to the needs of the child.
• Conduct post-procedural assessments and interventions and adapt care and advocacy as needed.
• Document services and interventions provided, follow up on referrals promptly, and report suspicions of abuse and neglect as mandated.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life or a closely related field of study.
• Certification by the Child Life Certifying Commission (CCLS).
• Must be CPR (BLS) certified.
• Prior working knowledge of computer programs and electronic medical records.
• Must maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.

Reporting to the healthcare team, the Child Life Specialist plans, initiates, and supervises activities that foster continued growth and development in children and youth based on daily information concerning health care condition, developmental level, and interests. Partnering with families, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary care team, this role supports children through the emotional and cognitive challenges of hospitalization and surgical procedures.

Primary Duties

• Plan, initiate, and supervise activities that foster continued growth and development in children and youth based on daily information concerning health care condition, developmental level, and interests.
• Provide opportunities for adaptation to the hospital environment and understanding of medical experiences by providing play materials, opportunities for health care play, and developmental information.
• Support children, youth, and caregivers throughout the challenges of hospitalization and illness by identifying and encouraging effective coping techniques.
• Prepare children, youth, and families cognitively and emotionally for medical and surgical procedures through play, demonstration, and dialogue.
• Provide support as part of the treatment plan, including accompanying the child to procedures or the operating room to decrease stress and anxiety.
• Provide guidance, support, and supervision to students and volunteers.
• Observe, record, and report relevant information relating to patients as it pertains to child life, and collaborate with the family and health care team regarding patient care.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child and Youth Care from a recognized program.
• Completion of a practicum or internship in child life.
• One year of recent related experience working with children and families, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Eligibility to sit the Child Life Certification Examination.
• Ability to assess and interact with patients and families applying theories of human growth and development, family systems, and cultural diversity.
• Ability to represent and communicate the role of child life to others.
• Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Sitting at the intersection of child development and clinical healthcare, the Child Life Specialist collaborates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to plan, organize, and implement individualized child life programs for infants, pediatric, and adolescent patients across inpatient and outpatient settings. Operating across acute and chronic medical and surgical conditions, this role ensures that every child receives developmentally appropriate preparation, therapeutic intervention, and family-centered education to support optimal psychosocial outcomes.

Duties

• Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and administer an individualized plan of care.
• Plan, organize, and implement all child life programs for infants, pediatric, and adolescent patients who are hospitalized or seen in the outpatient setting with acute and chronic medical and surgical conditions.
• Perform child life-oriented screening and assessment tools and provide preparation and therapeutic interventions to meet the developmental, emotional, social, and educational needs of all pediatric patients.
• Design and carry out care plans, provide patient and family education, medical play, and child-specific educational in-services to hospital staff, and document patient status on an ongoing basis.
• Supervise volunteers and students.
• Work with infants, neonates, pediatric, and adolescent patients and their family members.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with an area of concentration in Child Life, Child Development Education, Creative Arts Therapies, or related field.
• Completed 600-hour Child Life Internship and eligibility for the Child Life Certification exam.
• Coursework in Child Life, Human Development, Family Dynamics, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Therapeutic Recreation, or Expressive Therapies preferred.
• Child Life Certification preferred or required within one year of hire.
• Experience in a health care setting.

A key member of the psychosocial and multidisciplinary team, the Child Life Specialist builds therapeutic art and play diversions designed to meet the developmental and emotional needs of pediatric patients in ambulatory, waiting, and infusion care settings. Collaborating across clinical research and outpatient care environments, this role enables children and families to navigate difficult procedures and the transition between care settings through individualized, evidence-informed interventions.

Functions

• Provide a safe and nurturing environment for all patients and their families.
• Develop therapeutic art and play diversions based on developmental, behavioral, and age-specific needs.
• Collaborate weekly with the psychosocial and multidisciplinary team about individual strategies, interventions, and supportive programs for specific patients and family members.
• Educate and assist families throughout the transition from inpatient to outpatient care.
• Implement distractions to fulfill the physical and psychological needs of pediatric patients throughout difficult procedures.
• Work individually with patients using the arts to encourage self-expression and teach basic skills necessary to engage in creative arts and play.
• Maintain knowledge of current professional trends, practices, and techniques, and present at a national conference each year regarding pediatric patient care.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
• One year of experience working with children and families in an acute care setting or in activity programming for a broad range of children from infancy through young adulthood.
• Knowledge of child and family development.
• Ability to work as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, oral and written.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to establish rapport with patients and families from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

Reducing patient distress and protecting developmental integrity depend on the Child Life Specialist, who plans and implements therapeutic play programs, conducts assessments, and delivers educational programming for hospitalized and ambulatory pediatric patients and their families. Based within an interdisciplinary treatment team and maintaining oversight of the Pet Therapy program, this role directly supports holistic psychosocial care and the professional development of child life students and volunteers.

Accountabilities

• Coordinate activities, identify appropriate resources, and develop schedules to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Provide appropriate play utilizing technology items where patients and families learn and interact with others in an emotionally and physically safe environment while working with clinical staff to provide coordinated support.
• Plan and implement a therapeutic play program to help hospitalized and ambulatory patients adjust to the health care experience.
• Utilize therapeutic play techniques, assessments, and observations as diagnostic and treatment tools, and document treatment plans, goals, and observations.
• Assist in preparing and orienting children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures using developmentally appropriate methods.
• Provide support and facilitate coping through stress reduction techniques.
• Provide information, education, and support to patients and families on issues pertaining to hospitalization, illness, medical experiences, and growth and development.
• Support family bonds and utilize family and cultural strengths to provide consistent and quality care for children.
• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team through program planning and team meetings to provide services in a holistic manner.
• Consult with other team members regarding the developmental status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment and collaborate with professionals regarding psychosocial, emotional, and environmental needs.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Growth and Development, Recreational Therapy, or a related field.
• Eligibility for certification as a Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Certification Commission.
• 600-hour internship experience including six weeks of training in pediatrics preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a clinical setting.
• General knowledge of current digital gaming hardware and software, virtual and augmented reality, and iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.
• Analytical ability to assess patient needs and develop and provide appropriate services.
• Interpersonal skills to work productively with patients, families, health care professionals, and other members of the community.
• Technical knowledge related to the provision of child life services.