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Child Life Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Yale New Haven Health

Child Life

New London, CT · On-site

Through Therapeutic Interventions Such As Play And Preparation For The Hospital Experience, The Child Life Coordinator Facilitates The Child And Family's Positive Coping With, And Adaptation To, The ...

Yale New Haven Health

Child Life

New London, CT · On-site

Through Therapeutic Interventions Such As Play And Preparation For The Hospital Experience, The Child Life Coordinator Facilitates The Child And Family's Positive Coping With, And Adaptation To, The ...

Yale New Haven Health

Child Life

New London, CT · On-site

Through Therapeutic Interventions Such As Play And Preparation For The Hospital Experience, The Child Life Coordinator Facilitates The Child And Family's Positive Coping With, And Adaptation To, The ...

Cook Children's

Child Life Specialist

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

Child Life Shift: First Shift (United States of America) Standard Weekly Hours: 40 Summary: The Child Life Specialist is responsible for assessing, educating, preparing and supporting patients and ...

University Health

Child Life Specialist

San Antonio, TX · On-site

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 ...

Imh

The Child Life Assistant Interacts directly with pediatric patients, families, and other healthcare team members and facilitates age-appropriate activities to help make the healthcare experience ...

LifeBridge Health

CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST

Baltimore, MD · On-site

Provides Child Life services to pediatric patients with Sinai's Inpatient Peds/PICU dept. These services include distraction and calming measures to ease anxiety and engender cooperation with ...

Ironside Human Resources

Child Life Specialist

Anson, TX · On-site

$24 - $30/hr

A facility near Anson, Texas, is seeking a full-time, permanent Child Life Specialist to join their team. This position comes with relocation assistance to qualified candidates! See details below!

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How much do child life jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 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 are Child Life specialists and what do they do?

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.

What are child life professionals?

Child life professionals are trained specialists who help children and families cope with hospitalization, illness, and medical procedures through play, education, and emotional support. They typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree in child life, child development, or a related field, and may be certified by the Child Life Professional Certification Examination.

What is a career in child life?

A career in child life involves supporting children and their families in healthcare settings to help them cope with illness, injury, or hospitalization. Child life specialists use developmentally appropriate interventions, play therapy, and education to reduce stress and improve patient experiences, often requiring certification through the Child Life Professional Certification Examination.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Child Life specialists typically require a degree in child life, healthcare, or related fields and do not usually earn $4,000 weekly without formal education. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree are rare and often involve skilled trades, sales, or entrepreneurship, but they usually require experience, certifications, or specialized skills. Most roles paying $4,000 a week without a degree are in sales, real estate, or self-employment, rather than child-related professions.

How do Child Life Specialists typically 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, and why are they important?

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.

What degree is best for a child life specialist?

A child life specialist typically holds a bachelor's degree in child life, child development, psychology, or a related field. Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, and certification through the Child Life Professional Certification Examination is often required or preferred. Advanced degrees or additional training can enhance job prospects and specialization opportunities.
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Child Life jobs near you
Child Life

Child Life

Yale New Haven Health

New London, CT • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

Yale New Haven Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 227 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

298th of 877 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Overview
To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
Designs And Provides Programs And Services To Reduce The Stress Of Hospitalization, To Promote Optimum Development And To Maintain Normal Living Patterns For Children, Adolescents And Families Who Come To The Hospital. Through Therapeutic Interventions Such As Play And Preparation For The Hospital Experience, The Child Life Coordinator Facilitates The Child And Family's Positive Coping With, And Adaptation To, The Hospital Environment.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran
Responsibilities
  • 1. Designs And Offers Age-Specific Pre-Admission Programs For Children And Families Scheduled For Surgery Or Other Medical Procedures.
  • 2. Coordinates Interactive Age-Specific Orientation Programs For Community School Children To Familiarize Them With The Hospital Environment.
  • 3. Acts As An Advisor To Various Clinical Teams Within The Organization To Create ?Child Friendly? Care Environments (Asu, X-Ray, Ed, Clinic).
  • 4. Communicates With Health Care Staff, Integrating Child Life Theory And Practice To Obtain And/Or Share Data Pertinent To Patients? Needs And Condition. Serves As Resource To Hospital Staff And Families In Dealing With Children?S Hospital Related Anxieties. Uses Developmentally Appropriate Play As A Primary Tool In Assessing And Meeting Child?S Psychosocial Needs.
  • 5. Uses Formal And Informal Assessment Techniques To Determine Patient?S Developmental And Emotional States. Collaborates With Nursing Staff To Develop Age-Specific Care Plans For Hospitalized Children.
  • 6. Provides Varied Therapeutic Activities/Experiences For Children In The Playroom, At The Bedside, Or In Outpatient Settings. Matches Interactions And Activities To Developmental Level And Emotional State Of The Child.
  • 7. Maintains Child Life Policies And Procedures. Collaborates In The Development Of Age-Appropriate Pediatric Policies And Procedures.
  • 8. Networks With Other Child Life Therapists To Ensure Current Practices.
  • 9. Ensures Adequate Numbers Of Safe, Age-Appropriate Toys, Books, Games, Videos, Etc For Use By Pediatric Patients In Various Settings Within The Organization. Accepts Such Donations From Community Members And Philanthropists. Coordinates The Storage And Distribution Of Donations To Pediatric Patients.
  • 10. Develops Operational And Capital Child Life Budget To Ensure Delivery Of Quality Services.
  • 11. Meets Performance Expectations For Customer Service, Teamwork, Resource Utilization, And Staff And Self Development As Outlined In Performance Review.
  • 12. Performs Other Duties As Assigned Or Directed To Ensure Smooth Operation Of The Department/Unit.

Qualifications

EDUCATION


B.S. Degree In Child Life/Child Development Or Related Field. Child Life Certification Is Strongly Preferred.


EXPERIENCE


Two (2) Years Experience In A Child Life Department


LICENSURE


Not Applicable


SPECIAL SKILLS


Not Applicable


YNHHS Requisition ID
162778Qualifications:

EDUCATION


B.S. Degree In Child Life/Child Development Or Related Field. Child Life Certification Is Strongly Preferred.


EXPERIENCE


Two (2) Years Experience In A Child Life Department


LICENSURE


Not Applicable


SPECIAL SKILLS


Not Applicable


Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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