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Child Life Practicum Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Practicum Student Therapist

Kansas City, MO

$49.70K - $65.30K/yr

KVC Missouri Practicum Student Therapist (Children and Teens) Location: Kansas City, MO Reports To ... About KVC KVC Missouri is a nonprofit child placing and behavioral health agency with a long legacy ...

Practicum Student Therapist

Springfield, MO · On-site

$43.30K - $58.90K/yr

KVC Missouri Practicum Student Therapist (Children and Teens) Location: Springfield, MO Reports To ... About KVC KVC Missouri is a nonprofit child placing and behavioral health agency with a long legacy ...

Practicum Student Therapist

Saint James, MO · On-site

$49.90K - $65.60K/yr

KVC Missouri Practicum Student Therapist (Children and Teens) Location: St. James, MO Reports To ... About KVC KVC Missouri is a nonprofit child placing and behavioral health agency with a long legacy ...

Practicum Student Therapist

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$49.90K - $65.50K/yr

KVC Missouri Practicum Student Therapist (Children and Teens) Location: Kansas City, MO Reports To ... About KVC KVC Missouri is a nonprofit child placing and behavioral health agency with a long legacy ...

Supervise Practicum/Internship students as a Certified Child Life Specialist. * Manage play materials, supplies, and equipment for playrooms by assuming responsibility for its cleanliness and storage ...

Supervise Practicum/Internship students as a Certified Child Life Specialist. * Manage play materials, supplies, and equipment for playrooms by assuming responsibility for its cleanliness and storage ...

Supervise Practicum/Internship students as a Certified Child Life Specialist. * Manage play materials, supplies, and equipment for playrooms by assuming responsibility for its cleanliness and storage ...

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Child Life Practicum Student information

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How much do child life practicum student jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life practicum student 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Child Life Practicum Student, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Life Practicum Student, you need foundational knowledge of child development, psychology, and basic medical terminology, often supported by coursework in child life or related fields. Familiarity with documentation systems, play therapy tools, and hospital protocols is typically expected. Strong communication, empathy, and adaptability are vital soft skills for supporting children and families in stressful healthcare environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively easing patient anxiety, fostering trust, and ensuring positive developmental experiences in clinical settings.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during a Child Life Practicum, and how do these prepare me for future roles?

As a Child Life Practicum Student, you'll gain exposure to a variety of real-world situations, such as observing certified Child Life Specialists, participating in therapeutic play sessions, and assisting with preparation and support for pediatric procedures. You'll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including nurses and social workers, to understand the emotional and developmental needs of children in healthcare settings. This hands-on experience helps you build foundational skills in communication, assessment, and intervention, all of which are crucial for advancing to internships and, ultimately, professional Child Life roles.

What are Child Life Practicum Students?

Child Life Practicum Students are individuals who are completing a supervised, introductory educational experience in a hospital or healthcare setting to learn about the child life profession. They observe and assist certified Child Life Specialists as they support children and families coping with hospitalization, illness, or medical procedures. The practicum allows students to gain firsthand insight into the field, develop foundational skills, and determine if they wish to pursue a career as a Child Life Specialist. This experience is typically unpaid and is considered a prerequisite for more advanced internships in child life.

What is the difference between Child Life Practicum Student vs Child Life Intern?

AspectChild Life Practicum StudentChild Life Intern
Required CredentialsUndergraduate or graduate student in child life, related field, or pursuing certificationTypically enrolled in child life internship program, often post-bachelor's or during graduate studies
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, or healthcare settings; supervised by certified child life specialistsSimilar settings; may have more responsibilities and direct patient interaction
Employer & Industry UsageEducational requirement for certification; part of training processRequired internship for certification eligibility; often a paid or unpaid position

The main difference between a Child Life Practicum Student and a Child Life Intern lies in their training stage and responsibilities. Practicum students are typically in the early stages of their education, gaining observation and basic experience, while interns are more advanced, performing more direct patient care under supervision. Both roles are essential for certification and work in similar healthcare environments.

More about Child Life Practicum Student jobs
What states have the most Child Life Practicum Student jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Life Practicum Student jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Child Life Practicum Student jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Child Life Practicum Student jobs are:
Infographic showing various Child Life Practicum Student job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 35% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $34,809 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Practicum Student Therapist

KVC Missouri

Kansas City, MO

$49.70K - $65.30K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


KVC Missouri rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

KVC Missouri
Practicum Student Therapist (Children and Teens)
Location: Kansas City, MO
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor
Job Summary
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate practicum student therapist to join our team. This position will work directly with children and teenagers who are facing mental health challenges, providing essential therapeutic support.
Responsibilities:
  • Provide high quality client centered care.
  • Under the supervision of a licensed clinical therapist, the Therapy Practicum Intern will provide individual, family and group therapies in accordance with the interns skills/training.
  • Develop treatment plans and accurately document services within an Electronic Health Record
  • Participate in weekly supervision to complete learning contract requirements.
Qualifications:
  • 21 years or older
  • Actively enrolled and in good standing with an accredited master's level Social Work, Counseling or Psychology program and has completed all requirements for a practicum placement with their learning institution.
  • Strong independent learning skills
  • Ability to fulfill course work and practicum placement requirements.
Benefits:
  • Abundance of on-the-job experience within a clinical setting.
  • Opportunities to interview early for therapy positions post graduations.
  • Flexible schedules to allow for completion of coursework and practicum requirements.
  • Transparent routes for career advancement
  • Clinical supervision and professional mentorship from experienced therapists.
  • Opportunities for employment and work-based practicums if allowed by the master's program.
  • Exposure to a diverse caseload of children and teenagers, allowing for a well-rounded learning experience.

About KVC
KVC Missouri is a nonprofit child placing and behavioral health agency with a long legacy of compassionately serving children and families.
KVC Missouri's Residential Treatment program offers therapeutic services in a 24/7-supervised facility for children and teenagers with acute emotional and behavioral problems.
KVC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.