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Child Life Practicum Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Imh

$24.30 - $37.52/hr

Experience as a child life pre-internship/practicum student * Supervising volunteers while working with children and adolescents * Spanish speaking Essential Functions * Accurately assesses ...

Carilion Clinic

Child Life Specialist

Roanoke, VA · On-site

Teaches, supervises, and evaluates work of practicum students and may oversee a child life intern after one year of employment and/or completion of 4,000 paid hours as a CCLS. * Communicates with ...

Carilion Clinic

Child Life Specialist

Roanoke, VA

$21.61 - $30.25/hr

Teaches, supervises, and evaluates work of practicum students and may oversee a child life intern after one year of employment and/or completion of 4,000 paid hours as a CCLS. * Communicates with ...

Carilion Clinic

Child Life Specialist

Roanoke, VA · On-site

Teaches, supervises, and evaluates work of practicum students and may oversee a child life intern after one year of employment and/or completion of 4,000 paid hours as a CCLS. * Communicates with ...

Carilion Clinic

Child Life Specialist

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$21.61 - $30.25/hr

Teaches, supervises, and evaluates work of practicum students and may oversee a child life intern after one year of employment and/or completion of 4,000 paid hours as a CCLS. * Communicates with ...

KVC Health Systems

Practicum Student Therapist

Kansas City, MO · On-site

$49K - $65K/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 ...

KVC Health Systems

Practicum Student Therapist

Saint James, MO · On-site

$49K - $65K/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 ...

KVC Health Systems

Practicum Student Therapist

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$47K - $62K/yr

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

KVC Health Systems

Practicum Student Therapist

Springfield, MO · On-site

$43K - $58K/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 ...

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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 Jul 13, 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 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 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.

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 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.
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:
Child Life Practicum Student jobs near you
Infographic showing various Child Life Practicum Student job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,809 per year, or $16.7 per hour.
Sr Child Life Specialist

Sr Child Life Specialist

Cooper University Hospital

Camden, NJ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New

Cooper University Health Care rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

231st of 882 rated healthcare providers

Job description

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.


The Sr. 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 Sr. 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. 

The Sr. Child Life Specialist will be a resource for other staff within the department, using professional expertise to offer support and guidance.

Responsibilities:

  • Provides Child Life services in pediatric units as assigned and in other units as consulted
  • Assesses 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
  • Co-coordinates monthly education opportunities for staff, mentors new staff throughout the orientation period, assists with the annual department competency process
  • Actively participates in a hospital-based committee or organizational initiative to represent the psychosocial perspective and promote the growth and development of the Child Life Program
  • Complies with professional, ethical, and educational standards in accordance with the Association of Child Life Professionals

Minimum of 5 years of experience required


Bachelor's and Master's Degree required, in Child Life or other closely related field 

10+ years of experience as a Child Life Specialist acceptable in lieu of Master's Degree


Certified Child Life Specialist Certification required

BLS from AHA preferred 


Full time, 40 hours a week


USD $25.00
USD $42.50

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