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Child Life Specialist Internship Jobs in Indiana

Ascension

Certified Child Life Specialist

Evansville, IN · On-site

$21.36/hr

Completion of, or securing, a child life internship establishes the timeline for earning CCLS credentials. Equal employment opportunity employer Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO ...

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How much do child life specialist internship jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life specialist internship in Indiana is $16.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $18.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Child Life Specialist Internship Opportunities?

A child life specialist internship involves providing support for children dealing with illness, hospitalization, or a disability. If you work as an intern, your duties vary depending on the details of the internship program. As an intern, you assist child life specialists as they provide age-appropriate coping strategies and activities for ill children and those undergoing medical procedures. You may gain experience with different groups by working as part of a rotation of interns. Interns often help children participate in activities and play. Your responsibilities often include interacting with the parents and siblings of the patient.

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

To thrive as a Child Life Specialist Intern, you need coursework or a degree in child development or a related field, plus experience with children in healthcare or educational settings. Familiarity with healthcare environments, charting/documentation systems, and play therapy techniques is beneficial. Strong communication, empathy, creativity, and the ability to build rapport with children and families are standout soft skills for this position. These skills are crucial for supporting the emotional well-being of pediatric patients and fostering a positive hospital experience.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during a Child Life Specialist Internship?

During a Child Life Specialist Internship, you can expect to engage in a variety of hands-on experiences, such as facilitating therapeutic play activities, assisting with patient and family education, and supporting children during medical procedures. Interns often work closely with certified Child Life Specialists and interdisciplinary teams, gaining exposure to different pediatric units and patient populations. These experiences are structured to help you develop practical skills, enhance your understanding of psychosocial care, and prepare you for certification and future employment in the field.

What is a Child Life Specialist Internship?

A Child Life Specialist Internship is a structured, supervised program that provides students or recent graduates with hands-on experience in the field of child life. Interns work alongside certified Child Life Specialists in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, to support the emotional and developmental needs of children and families facing medical challenges. The internship is designed to help interns develop practical skills in therapeutic play, patient education, and coping strategies, all while adhering to child life principles. Completing an internship is often a required step toward becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).

Is a child life specialist in demand?

Child life specialists are in steady demand due to their specialized skills in helping children cope with healthcare experiences. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as hospitals and pediatric care facilities recognize the importance of psychosocial support for young patients.

What is the difference between Child Life Specialist Internship vs Child Life Specialist?

AspectChild Life Specialist InternshipChild Life Specialist
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's or master's in child life, healthcare, or related field; some certifications may be in progressCertified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential required, which involves completing a CCLS internship and passing the exam
Work EnvironmentHospitals, pediatric units, clinics, or community settings, often as a training or learning roleFull-time professional role in similar healthcare settings, providing direct support to children and families
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, healthcare organizations, child life programs, often as a supervised internshipHospitals, healthcare facilities, pediatric units, with full responsibilities

The Child Life Specialist Internship is a training position for students or recent graduates gaining experience, while the Child Life Specialist is a certified professional providing ongoing support to children and families in healthcare settings.

More about Child Life Specialist Internship jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Child Life Specialist jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Child Life Specialist jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Child Life Specialist Internship jobs in Indiana? For Child Life Specialist Internship jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Child Life Specialist Internship jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Child Life Specialist Internship jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Child Life Specialist Internship jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Child Life Specialist Internship job openings:
Child Life Specialist Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Child Life Specialist Internship job openings in Indiana as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,251 per year, or $16.5 per hour.
Child Life-Specialist

Child Life-Specialist

Indiana University Health

Indianapolis, IN

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Indiana University Health rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 455 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

326th of 864 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Child Life Specialist

Location: Palliative Care Team at Riley Hospital 
Shift: Full-Time Day 

Join Our Compassionate Pediatric Care Team!

Indiana University Health Riley Hospital is seeking a dedicated Child Life Specialist (CLS) to support the emotional, developmental, and psychosocial needs of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults during their hospital experience. This full-time role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families during challenging times.

If you are passionate about family-centered care and supporting children through illness, injury, or loss, we encourage you to apply!

Position Overview:

The Child Life Specialist works as a vital member of the healthcare team to address the emotional and psychosocial concerns of pediatric patients and their families. Responsibilities include:

  • Supporting families and patients adjusting to illness, injury, or loss in critical, acute, and ambulatory settings
  • Assessing psychosocial, developmental, and cultural needs of patients and families
  • Using developmentally appropriate interventions to educate, prepare, and support families, enhancing their coping skills
  • Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team to advocate for emotionally safe, family-centered care
  • Creating a supportive environment that addresses emotional well-being and reduces anxiety
Qualifications & Requirements:
  • Education: Bachelor's Degree required.
  • Experience: 0-3 years of relevant experience preferred.
  • Certifications:
    • ACLP Certified Child Life Specialist Certification required within one year of hire.
    • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association required.
  • Additional Requirements:
    • Completed or current enrollment in a Child Life Internship at a children's hospital is mandatory to be considered

Why Join IU Health?

Become part of a dedicated pediatric team committed to compassionate, family-centered care. We value your expertise and your dedication to helping children and families navigate healthcare challenges with emotional support and developmentally appropriate interventions.

Ready to enhance the hospital experience for children and families?
Apply now to join IU Health Riley Hospital as a Child Life Specialist!

  • Indiana University Health has nearly 40,000 team members, including more than 3,600 physicians and 1,200 advanced practice providers, and we're home to the largest nursing network in Indiana with more than 9,000 nursing team members at over 800 sites of care.
  • IU Health is ranked No. 1 in Indiana by U.S. News & World Report, Riley Children's Health is ranked among the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
  • A unique partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine - one of the nation's largest medical schools - gives patients access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments, and it offers team members access to the latest science and the very best training - advancing healthcare for all.
  • With 15 hospitals, including seven with Magnet designation and eight with Pathways to Excellence designation, our team members are leading the way through excellence.
  • At Indiana University Health, your personal and professional growth is a top priority. You will have access to many diverse opportunities to learn and develop in meaningful ways that matter most to you, such as advanced clinical training, leadership development, promotion opportunities and cross training development.
  • Indiana University Health is invested in the lives of Hoosiers, leading the transformation of healthcare to make Indiana one of the nation's healthiest states.
Indiana University Health is Indiana's most comprehensive health system, with 15 hospitals and nearly 40,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. We're looking for team members who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day.

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