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Child Life Jobs (NOW HIRING)

University Health

Child Life Specialist

San Antonio, TX

$20.80 - $34.75/hr

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Bachelors Degree in Child Life, Psychology, Child Development, Special Education or related field is required. Completion of a Child Life internship from an accredited Child Life ...

RWJBarnabas Health

Child Life Specialist

New Brunswick, NJ · On-site

$64K - $80K/yr

Child Life Specialist Location: Bristol Myers Squibb Hospital Department Name: Child Life Program Req #: 0000256613 Status: Salaried Shift: Evening Pay Range: $64,500.00 - $80,700.00 per year Pay ...

RWJBarnabas Health

Child Life Specialist

New Brunswick, NJ · On-site

$64K - $80K/yr

Child Life Specialist Location: Bristol Myers Squibb Hospital Department Name: Child Life Program Req #: 0000256613 Status: Salaried Shift: Evening Pay Range: $64,500.00 - $80,700.00 per year Pay ...

University Health

Child Life Specialist

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$20.80 - $34.75/hr

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Bachelors Degree in Child Life, Psychology, Child Development, Special Education or related field is required. Completion of a Child Life internship from an accredited Child Life ...

RWJBarnabas Health

Child Life Specialist

New Brunswick, NJ · On-site

$64K - $80K/yr

Child Life Specialist Location: Bristol Myers Squibb Hospital Department Name: Child Life Program Req #: 0000256613 Status: Salaried Shift: Evening Pay Range: $64,500.00 - $80,700.00 per year Pay ...

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How much do child life jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life in the United States is $16.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a child life specialist?

Child Life specialists are trained professionals who support children and families in hospitals and other healthcare settings. They help children cope with the stress and anxiety of medical procedures, hospitalization, and illness through play, education, and emotional support. Their goal is to promote healthy development and reduce the trauma associated with medical experiences. Child Life specialists also provide guidance to parents and collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure the child's emotional and developmental needs are met.

How does a child life specialist support children and families during stressful medical procedures?

Child Life Specialists play a crucial role in helping children and their families cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of hospitalization and medical procedures. They use age-appropriate explanations, therapeutic play, and distraction techniques to reduce anxiety and promote understanding. Additionally, they often collaborate with medical staff to advocate for the needs of pediatric patients and provide guidance to families on how to support their child’s well-being during treatment. This role requires strong communication skills, empathy, and the ability to adapt interventions to each child’s unique needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child life specialist?

To thrive as a Child Life Specialist, you need a bachelor’s degree in child life, psychology, or a related field, along with knowledge of child development and family systems. Certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and experience with therapeutic play, patient education tools, and hospital information systems are commonly required. Exceptional communication, empathy, and stress-management skills help you support children and families coping with medical challenges. These competencies are crucial for reducing patient anxiety, fostering resilience, and improving overall patient experiences in healthcare environments.

Are child life specialists in demand?

Child life specialists are in growing demand due to increased awareness of the importance of psychosocial support for pediatric patients. They work in hospitals, healthcare settings, and community programs, often requiring certification and strong interpersonal skills. Employment prospects are generally favorable, especially in hospitals with specialized pediatric units.

How many years does it take to become a child life specialist?

Becoming a child life specialist typically requires a bachelor's degree in child life, child development, or a related field, which takes about four years. Additionally, completing a 480-hour internship and obtaining certification through the Child Life Professional Certification Examination are required, which can add several months to a year to the process.

What can I do with a child life degree?

A child life degree prepares individuals to work with children and families in healthcare settings, focusing on emotional support, developmentally appropriate education, and coping strategies. Graduates often work as child life specialists, providing psychosocial support in hospitals, clinics, or community programs, and may need certification from the Child Life Professional Certification Examination.
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Child Life jobs near you

Child Life Specialist - Child Life

Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

San Diego, CA • On-site

$29.48 - $40.55/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Rady Children's Hospital rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

100th of 1,060 rated hospitals

Job description

This position is part of a collaboration between Child Life Services and the Autism Friendly Health System Initiative (AFHSI) within the Rady Children's Health Autism Discovery Institute. The role includes working closely with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and other professionals to contribute to staff education, training, and facilitation efforts for interprofessional audiences, as well as the development of resources that enhance care. The specialist may also participate in program evaluation, quality improvement, and/or research activities to support ongoing program development. This position focuses on reducing stress and supporting positive healthcare experiences through a coordinated, patient- and family-centered approach in the outpatient lab, with an emphasis on serving autistic and neurodivergent patients and their families.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Child Life Specialist is a member of the healthcare team who focuses on the emotional and developmental needs of children and families to reduce stress and anxiety associated with a healthcare experience through play, education, preparation, and other therapeutic interventions; enabling children and families to cope more effectively and encourages optimum development of children facing challenging experiences.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
BLS for Health Providers (American Heart Association)
CA Driver's License
Proof of Auto Insurance
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in child life, child development, psychology, or related field with an emphasis in child life meeting the 10-coursework requirement set forth by the Association of the Child Life Professionals
Completed a 600-hour pediatric Child Life internship in accordance with the guidelines established by the Association of Child Life Professionals
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) must be obtained within one year of hire date
Resident Dog Handler (if applicable): Must successfully complete the required training from Canine Companions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's Degree
1 year of experience
Completed a practicum with a minimum of 100 hours
Autism Friendly Health Systems Initiative (if applicable): Previous experience providing training, facilitation, and/or public speaking to interprofessional audiences
Autism Friendly Health Systems Initiative (if applicable): Previous experience working with autistic children, neurodivergent individuals, and their families in healthcare or related
Autism Friendly Health Systems Initiative (if applicable): Experience with program evaluation, quality improvement, and/or research activities
The current salary range for this position is $29.48 to $40.55
Rady Children's Hospital is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by conducting regular market reviews to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the nonprofit, healthcare sector. The range listed above does not represent the full salary range for the position but is the expected hiring range for qualified candidates. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, licensure, unique skillsets, organizational need, and internal equity. This posting will remain open from the "date posted" until the hiring manager has determined there is a sufficient applicant pool or until the position is filled.

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