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Child Life Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview The Child Life Specialist works to meet the psychosocial needs of patients and families by ... Must take initiative to serve the needs of patients and assist fellow team members.

Child Life Specialist

Boston, MA · On-site

$53K - $77K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY: The Child Life Specialist is responsible and accountable for planning and ... Provides individualized therapeutic interventions to assist with support of emotional, cognitive ...

As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our ... * Assist patients and families with relaxation techniques to decrease stress, increase coping ...

Child Life Specialist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$18.88 - $28.80/hr

As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our ... * Assist patients and families with relaxation techniques to decrease stress, increase coping ...

Child Life Specialist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$18.88 - $28.80/hr

As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our ... * Assist patients and families with relaxation techniques to decrease stress, increase coping ...

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Child Life Assistant information

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$12

$16

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How much do child life assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life assistant 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.

How does a Child Life Assistant typically collaborate with Child Life Specialists and healthcare teams to support pediatric patients?

Child Life Assistants work closely with Child Life Specialists and other healthcare professionals to create a supportive environment for children in medical settings. They help implement therapeutic play activities, prepare materials, and assist with distraction techniques during procedures. Regular communication and teamwork with nurses, doctors, and Child Life Specialists are essential to ensure the emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients are met. This collaborative approach helps provide holistic care and enhances the overall hospital experience for children and their families.

What are Child Life Assistants?

Child Life Assistants are healthcare professionals who support Child Life Specialists in helping children and families cope with hospitalization, illness, and medical procedures. They assist in providing therapeutic play, activities, and emotional support to pediatric patients. Their role includes preparing play materials, interacting with children, maintaining a safe play environment, and supporting the psychosocial needs of young patients. Child Life Assistants work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to make the hospital experience less stressful for children.

What Does a Child Life Assistant Do?

The job duties of a child life assistant involve providing support for children and their families when they are in a hospital or receiving inpatient medical care in a healthcare facility. Your responsibilities in this career include planning activities for a patient based on their interests, physical abilities, and psychological and social needs. You may involve therapeutic play that is meant to reduce stress and give patients, parents, and siblings normal interactions and experiences while they are in a hospital setting. As a child life assistant, you may also distribute donations of toys and coordinate volunteers and celebrity visits.

How much do child life assistants make?

Child life assistants in New York City typically earn between $40,000 and $55,000 annually, depending on experience and certifications. They work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, providing emotional support and developmental activities for pediatric patients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Child Life Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Life Assistant, you need a background in child development or a related field, often accompanied by relevant coursework or experience in pediatric care settings. Familiarity with hospital protocols, educational play tools, and documentation systems is typically required. Compassion, patience, and strong communication skills help build trust with children and support collaboration with healthcare teams. These abilities are crucial for providing emotional support, reducing anxiety, and ensuring a positive experience for young patients in medical environments.

How to be a child life assistant?

To become a child life assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with relevant experience working with children. A certification such as the Child Life Professional Certification (CCLS) is often preferred, and strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential for supporting children and families in healthcare settings. Some positions may require additional training or background checks depending on the employer.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Child Life Assistant typically does not earn $10,000 a month without a degree; this role usually requires a bachelor's degree in child life, psychology, or related fields. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree often include specialized sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship, but these are not related to child life assistance. Most roles with such income levels generally require experience, certifications, or entrepreneurial skills rather than just a job title.
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Child Life Specialist

$37/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago


Cooper University Health Care rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

227th of 877 rated healthcare providers


Job description

About Us

At Cooper University Health Care, our commitment to providing extraordinary health care begins with our team. Our extraordinary professionals are continuously discovering clinical innovations and enhanced access to the most up-to-date facilities, equipment, technologies and research protocols. We have a commitment to our employees to provide competitive rates and compensation programs. Cooper offers full and part-time employees a comprehensive benefits program, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement. We also provide attractive working conditions and opportunities for career growth through professional development.

Discover why Cooper University Health Care is the employer of choice in South Jersey.

Short Description

The Child Life Specialist will assess the psychosocial needs of patients and their families to offer and implement supportive, therapeutic interventions such as preparation for health care encounters, procedural support and coping strategies, and opportunities for various types of play. The Child Life Specialist will be an advocate for pediatric patients and visitors and serve as a resource for other hospital staff in areas of child development, family-centered care, trauma-informed care, age appropriate and developmentally appropriate interactions, and bereavement support.

Responsibilities:

  • Provides Child Life services in pediatric units as assigned and in other units as consultedAssesses psychosocial and developmental needs of patients/families and implements or adapts services and goals as needed
  • Utilizes therapeutic interventions such as psychological preparation, procedural support, therapeutic play, medical play, bereavement support, etc. to facilitate coping with hospitalization
  • Provides developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed education and emotional support for children about health care encounters, the hospital environment, new diagnoses or injuries, grief, etc.
  • Documents interventions and services in a timely manner within the patient's electronic health record
  • Works as part of the multi-disciplinary team to communicate, collaborate, educate, and advocate for patient- and family-centered care
  • Delegates appropriate duties to Activities Assistants and volunteers, supervises practicum students as assigned
  • Complies with professional, ethical, and educational standards in accordance with the Association of Child Life Professionals
Experience Required

0-2 years of experience, 3-5 years preferred

Education Requirements

Bachelors in Child Life or related field, or a Bachelors with a completed Child Life Certification

License/Certification Requirements

Must have completed 600+ hour Child Life Internship

Certified Child Life Specialist-Must obtain certification within 12 months of hire 

Communication - Ability to communicate with patients, visitors and coworkersCPR-BLS preferred 

Special Requirements

Part time, 24 hours a week

hours: varies

Salary Min ($)USD $23.00Salary Max ($)USD $37.00Employment Type: OTHER

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