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Child Life Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

R158887 Child Life Specialist (Open) How You'll Help Transform Healthcare: The Child Life Specialist provides psychosocial and development-based assessments and support to children of all ages and ...

As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our interdisciplinary team, child life team and other patients/families. This role is highly valued by ...

The Child Life Specialist promotes effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. Provides emotional support for families and encourages optimum development of ...

Child Life Specialist * Discipline: Allied Health Professional * Duration: Ongoing * Employment Type: Staff Work Schedule: Part-time, 60% FTE, evening/night shift. This position will work 12-hour ...

As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our interdisciplinary team, child life team and other patients/families. This role is highly valued by ...

Overview The Child Life Specialist, in collaboration with pediatric service team members, is responsible for assessing the psycho-social, developmental, and cognitive needs of patients, while ...

Child Life Specialist

Butner, NC · On-site

$23.24 - $33.41/hr

Join Our Team at UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health as a Child Life Specialist! UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH) in Butner, North Carolina, is seeking a passionate and team-oriented Child ...

Child life specialists provide ongoing opportunities for play, diversional activities, self-expression and interactions with other hospital children. This position requires strong organization skills ...

Child Life Specialist

Huntington, WV · On-site

$21.44 - $27.02/hr

Child Life Specialist for Hoops Family Children's Hospital on Cabell Huntington Hospital Campus * Must be currently accepted into, actively in, or finished with an official child life internship * $5 ...

Child Life Specialist Relocation Allowance Available! Join Our Multidisciplinary Team and Make a Difference in Young Lives We're seeking a compassionate and skilled Child Life Specialist to become an ...

Child Life Specialist Location: Newark Beth Israel Medical Ctr Department Name: Child Life Specialist Req #: 0000247734 Status: Hourly Shift: Day Pay Range: $35.46 - $35.46 per hour Pay Transparency:

As a Child Life Specialist, you will be working with patients and families to communicate with our interdisciplinary team, child life team and other patients/families. This role is highly valued by ...

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Child Life Specialist information

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How much do child life specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life specialist in the United States is $26.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Child Life Specialist?

A Child Life Specialist works in a medical facility and provides emotional support for young children. They help kids prepare for medical procedures, understand their illnesses or injuries, or cope with disabilities. Child Life Specialists create a personalized care plan based on their knowledge of child development, health education, and therapeutic play methods. Young patients and their families may have difficulty coping with the medical challenges they face, so Child Life Specialists develop care plans to alleviate the fear and anxiety the child may have and to educate families about what to expect from diagnoses. Child Life Specialists also advise hospital staff on how to meet the child’s emotional and developmental needs for the duration of the child's hospital stay.

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

To thrive as a Child Life Specialist, you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in child life, psychology, or a related field, along with knowledge of child development and hospital procedures. Certification through the Association of Child Life Professionals (CCLS) and experience with age-appropriate therapeutic interventions and medical play are typically required. Outstanding communication, emotional intelligence, and cultural sensitivity help you provide effective support to children and families during stressful medical experiences. These skills are essential to help young patients cope with hospitalization, reduce anxiety, and promote positive health outcomes.

How does a Child Life Specialist typically collaborate with medical staff and families during a child's hospital stay?

Child Life Specialists work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to support the emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients. They serve as a bridge between the medical team and families, helping to explain complex procedures in child-friendly ways and advocating for the child's comfort. Collaboration often includes participating in care planning meetings, preparing children for medical procedures, and offering coping strategies to both patients and their families. This teamwork ensures that the child's psychological well-being is considered alongside their physical care, fostering a more holistic healing environment.

What are Child Life Specialists?

Child Life Specialists are trained professionals who support children and their families during challenging healthcare experiences, such as hospitalizations or medical procedures. They use therapeutic play, education, and emotional support to help children cope with stress, fear, and anxiety related to illness or treatment. By helping kids understand what to expect and providing age-appropriate explanations, Child Life Specialists aim to minimize trauma and improve overall well-being during medical care.

What is the difference between Child Life Specialist vs Pediatric Nurse?

AspectChild Life SpecialistPediatric Nurse
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, Child Life Certification (CCLS)Registered Nurse (RN) license, Pediatric nursing certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, pediatric units, patient advocacyHospitals, clinics, pediatric wards, direct patient care
Employer & IndustryHealthcare facilities, hospitals, pediatric care centersHospitals, clinics, healthcare organizations

Child Life Specialists focus on emotional support, play therapy, and preparing children for medical procedures, while Pediatric Nurses provide direct medical care and treatment. Both roles work closely in pediatric healthcare settings but have different primary responsibilities and certifications.

What cities are hiring for Child Life Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Child Life Specialist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Child Life Specialist jobs? The most popular types of Child Life Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Child Life Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Life Specialist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Child Life Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Child Life Specialist jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Child Life Specialist jobs? For Child Life Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Child Life Specialist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% As Needed, 60% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,951 per year, or $26.9 per hour.
Child Life Specialist

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Memorial Health rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 167 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

449th of 864 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Introduction

Experience the HCA Healthcare difference where colleagues are trusted, valued members of our healthcare team. Grow your career with an organization committed to delivering respectful, compassionate care, and where the unique and intrinsic worth of each individual is recognized. Submit your application for the opportunity below:Child Life SpecialistMemorial Health University Medical Center

Benefits

Memorial Health University Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as free telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
  • Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
  • Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
  • 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 10% off HCA Healthcare stock
  • Family support through fertility and family building benefits with Progyny and adoption assistance.
  • Referral services for child, elder and pet care, home and auto repair, event planning and more
  • Consumer discounts through Abenity and Consumer Discounts
  • Retirement readiness, rollover assistance services and preferred banking partnerships
  • Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
  • Colleague recognition program
  • Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)
  • Employee Health Assistance Fund that offers free employee-only coverage to full-time and part-time colleagues based on income.

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

We are seeking a(an) Child Life Specialist for our team to ensure that we continue to provide all patients with high quality, efficient care. Did you get into our industry for these reasons? We are an amazing team that works hard to support each other and are seeking a phenomenal addition like you who feels patient care is as meaningful as we do. We want you to apply!

Job Summary and Qualifications

Child life specialists use their expertise knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate interventions to educate, prepare and support children through difficult tests, procedures, and assist in these life altering experiences their families experience due to chronic or acute illness, treatment, and recovery. Child Life Specialist adjust interventions to meet the temperament, coping style, medical plan and therapeutic needs of the families. Interventions may include medical play, therapeutic programming or pre-procedural education for patient and / or family members.  


 As part of the health care team, child life specialists advocate for the unique needs of children and their families. Child life specialist provide children with opportunities to engage in normal play and recreational activities that promote growth, development, and feelings of success in the medical environment. Child life specialists promote the role of parents and other family members as partners on the health care team and promote the philosophy of patient- and family-centered care. Complies with the Memorial Health Compliance Program, related policies and procedures and the Code of Business Practices; reports instances of perceived and actual non-compliance to Team Leader or through other reporting mechanisms. 


Complies with the Memorial Health Compliance Program, related policies and procedures and the Code of Business Practices; reports instances of perceived and actual non-compliance to Team Leader or through other reporting mechanisms. 

What qualifications you will need:
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support
  • (CCLS) Certified Child Life Specialist must be obtained within 1 year of employment start date
  • Bachelors Degree

Memorial Health University Medical Center has provided quality healthcare services since 1955, giving patients access to highly-trained physicians and advanced technology. Our 600+ bed hospital is one of the region's leading acute care facilities that serves 35 counties across southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina. Located in Savannah, Georgia, we are a regional referral center for heart care, cancer care, trauma care, children's care, high-risk pregnancies and high-risk newborn care. Our hospital includes the region's only Level I trauma center and children's hospital, as well as the Savannah campus of Mercer University School of Medicine.

At Memorial Health, our care like family culture extends to our patients, our people and our community. We are committed to each other because when we join together, our patients are cared for in the safest and most compassionate way.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.


"There is so much good to do in the world and so many different ways to do it."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

If you find this opportunity compelling, we encourage you to apply for our Child Life Specialist opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be directly contacted by a member of our team. We are interviewing apply today!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.


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