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Child Life Activity Coordinator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The position also coordinates and oversees volunteers' activities during volunteers' time in pediatric patient care areas. Must currently have a Child Life Professional Certification or be currently ...

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Special Education or Therapeutic Recreation. Required Work Experience * Experience working with hospitalized children.

Child Life Specialist

Duluth, MN · On-site

$26.76 - $40.14/hr

The position also coordinates and oversees volunteers' activities during volunteers' time in pediatric patient care areas. Must currently have a Child Life Professional Certification or be currently ...

Child Life Coordinator

Rockford, IL · On-site

$61K - $91K/yr

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Special Education or Therapeutic Recreation. Required Work Experience * Experience working with hospitalized children.

The Coordinator, Child Life Services is responsible for the development and implementation of a ... of the daily activities for Child Life services * Conduct developmental assessments and ...

... Activity Coordinators, Project Rise Hospitality Assistants, foster grandparents and volunteers in assigned areas. Responsible for facilitating an accredited Child Life Internship Program, a Child ...

Showing results 41-60

Child Life Activity Coordinator information

See salary details

$10

$17

$25

How much do child life activity coordinator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life activity coordinator in the United States is $17.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a child life activity coordinator?

Child Life Activity Coordinators are professionals who work in pediatric healthcare settings to support the emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. They design and implement therapeutic play activities, prepare children for medical procedures, and help them cope with the stress of hospitalization. Their goal is to create a supportive environment that promotes healing, reduces anxiety, and encourages positive coping strategies during a child's medical experience.

How does a child life activity coordinator typically collaborate with medical staff and families to support pediatric patients?

Child Life Activity Coordinators work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to create a supportive environment that addresses the emotional and developmental needs of children in medical settings. They regularly communicate with the medical team to understand each child's unique situation and tailor activities to reduce anxiety and promote coping skills. Additionally, they engage with families to provide guidance on supporting their child through medical experiences, ensuring a holistic approach to care. This collaborative effort helps create a comforting and engaging environment for young patients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child life activity coordinator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Life Activity Coordinator, you need a background in child development, education, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree and experience working with children in healthcare or educational settings. Familiarity with hospital protocols, therapeutic play techniques, and patient management systems is valuable, and Child Life certification (CCLS) is often preferred. Creativity, strong communication, empathy, and adaptability help you connect with children and families while collaborating with medical teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for providing emotional support, reducing stress, and promoting positive coping for children in healthcare environments.

What is the difference between Child Life Activity Coordinator vs Child Life Specialist?

AspectChild Life Activity CoordinatorChild Life Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in child life, recreation therapy, or related field; certification may be preferredRequires a bachelor's or master's degree in child life, child development, or related field; certification (CCLS) is often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, pediatric clinics, community centers, focusing on organizing activitiesHospitals, pediatric units, healthcare settings, providing therapeutic support and education
Job FocusPlanning and coordinating recreational activities for childrenProviding therapeutic interventions, emotional support, and education to children and families

While both roles involve working with children in healthcare settings, Child Life Activity Coordinators primarily focus on organizing recreational activities, whereas Child Life Specialists provide therapeutic support and emotional care. The Specialist role typically requires certification and a deeper clinical focus, making it more involved in patient advocacy and education.

What cities are hiring for Child Life Activity Coordinator jobs?

Cities with the most Child Life Activity Coordinator job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Child Life Activity jobs?

The most popular types of Child Life Activity jobs are:

What states have the most Child Life Activity Coordinator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Child Life Activity Coordinator jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Child Life Activity Coordinator jobs?

For Child Life Activity Coordinator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Child Life Activity Coordinator job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,292 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Child Life Specialist

Duluth, MN

Essentia Health
Health Care and Social Assistance • 10K+ employees

$26.76 - $40.14/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 28 days ago


Essentia Health rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 213 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Building Location:Building B - St Marys Medical CenterDepartment:2005290 CHILDRENS HOSPITAL - SMMC HOSPJob Description:Provides services to facilitate coping and mastery of healthcare experiences through developmentally appropriate activities. Assesses patients and families with the goal of planning interventions. Communicates effectively with the healthcare team and serves as a resource to families and to the healthcare team on child development and behavior issues. Provides consultative support to all Essentia departments including evaluation of developmentally sensitive facilities, materials and processes. Actively participates with the healthcare team to complete child and family friendly redesign. The position also coordinates and oversees volunteers' activities during volunteers' time in pediatric patient care areas.
Must currently have a Child Life Professional Certification or be currently enrolled in a Child Life Professional Certification or current enrollment in a Child Life Professional program.
Education to Employment available. Must be currently enrolled in a Child Life Professional program to qualify.Education Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree with a preference in therapeutic recreation, child life, family or child development, counseling, child psychology, education, social work or related field.
  • Child Life Professional Certification or completion of clinical internship with ability to obtain certification in 6-12 months
  • 1 year of related experience, preferably in an acute care children's facility.
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required or ability to obtain within 3 months
Licensure/CertificationQualifications:
  • Child Life Professional Certification or current enrollment in a Child Life Professional program and ability to obtain within 6-12 months. Must maintain certification.
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required or ability to obtain within 3 months
FTE:1

Possible Remote/Hybrid Option:

Shift Rotation:Day Rotation (United States of America)Shift Start Time:Shift End Time:Weekends:Holidays:NoCall Obligation:NoUnion:Union Posting Deadline:

Compensation Range:

$26.76 - $40.14Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we're committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at (218) 576-0000.

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About Essentia Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, Essentia Health combines the strengths and talents of 13,500 employees, including 3,500 registered nurses & licensed practical nurses, who serve our patients and communities through the mission of being called to make a healthy difference in people's lives. Essentia Health, which includes many Catholic facilities, is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship and Teamwork. The organization lives out its mission by having a patient-centered focus at 14 hospitals, 70 clinics, six long-term care facilities, three assisted living facilities, three independent living facilities, five ambulance services and one research institute.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Duluth, MN, US

Year founded

2004