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Child Life Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UW Health

Child Life Therapy Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$19.05 - $25.87/hr

We are seeking a Child Life Therapist Assistant to: * Plan, conduct and evaluate spontaneous and formal activities for the playroom and at bedside to support developmental age appropriate activities

UWHealth

Child Life Therapy Assistant

Madison, WI

$32K - $43K/yr

We are seeking a Child Life Therapist Assistant to: * Plan, conduct and evaluate spontaneous and formal activities for the playroom and at bedside to support developmental age appropriate activities

UNC Health Careers

Child Life Specialist

Butner, NC · On-site

$23.24 - $33.41/hr

Qualified candidates will work directly with the Mental Health Team Therapy Services Managers at ... This includes 600 child life internship hours under the supervision of a certified child life ...

UNC HEALTH

Child Life Specialist

Butner, NC · On-site

$23.24 - $33.41/hr

Qualified candidates will work directly with the Mental Health Team Therapy Services Managers at ... This includes 600 child life internship hours under the supervision of a certified child life ...

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How much do child life therapist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for child life therapist in the United States is $85,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $92,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child life therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Life Therapist, you need a solid background in child development, psychology, or a related field, often supported by a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and Child Life Specialist certification (CCLS). Familiarity with hospital settings, patient charting systems, and therapeutic play tools is typically required. Empathy, strong communication, and resilience are vital soft skills for building rapport with children and supporting families during stressful medical experiences. These competencies are crucial for effectively reducing pediatric patients’ anxiety, improving coping strategies, and enhancing the overall healthcare experience.

What are some typical challenges child life therapists face when working in a hospital setting?

Child Life Therapists often encounter the challenge of supporting children and families through emotionally difficult medical experiences, such as surgeries or long-term hospitalizations. Balancing the needs of multiple patients while coordinating with nurses, doctors, and families can be demanding, especially during busy periods. Additionally, therapists must continuously adapt their interventions to suit children of different ages, backgrounds, and medical conditions. Despite these challenges, strong teamwork and open communication with healthcare staff help ensure the best outcomes for pediatric patients.

What is a child life therapist?

Child Life Therapists are healthcare professionals who help children and their families cope with the stress and challenges of hospitalization, illness, or disability. They use play, education, and therapeutic activities to support children's emotional and developmental needs while in medical settings. Child Life Therapists also prepare children for medical procedures, provide emotional support, and work to make the hospital experience less intimidating. Their goal is to promote optimal growth and development, reduce fear and anxiety, and support family involvement.

What does a child life therapist do?

A child life therapist works directly with children and their families who are undergoing care for an illness, disability, or injury. As a child life therapist, you play and socialize with your patients, provide therapy and medical education to them and their families, help them understand their treatment plan, and provide support to patients in their families by connecting them to valuable resources in their community. You conduct your job duties in a hospital setting, usually within the pediatric department of a medical facility. Child life therapists sometimes also work within communities to spread awareness about their patients’ medical conditions in schools, government offices, and to community members.

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Child Life Therapist jobs near you

Lead Child Life Specialist, Child Life Therapies

Norton Healthcare

Louisville, KY • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Norton Healthcare rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

235th of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Responsibilities
The role of the Lead Child Life Therapist is to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate psychosocial patient/family needs for patients aged neonatal to 17 years (Neonates, Pediatric, Adolescent). The Child Life Therapist provides psychosocial support to meet the needs of the patients and families; plans and coordinates activities designed to further the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of the child within the inpatient and outpatient setting, utilizing age appropriate principles of growth and development; acts an advocate for the patients and families. The Lead is also responsible for day to day department operations, coordinating the schedule and adjusting as needed, managing supplies for the department within budget and performs other related duties.
Qualifications
Required:
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Certified Child Life Specialist: Must obtain Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential within 12 months of hire

What Norton Healthcare employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Norton Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Norton Healthcare is a not-for-profit hospital and health care system and is Louisville's second largest employer, with more than 18,000 employees, over 1,700 employed medical providers and approximately 2,000 total physicians on its medical staff. The system includes six hospitals (five in Louisville and one in Madison, Indiana) with 1,993 licensed beds, eight outpatient centers, 18 Norton Immediate Care Centers, eight Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens clinics and an expanded telehealth program. It provides care at more than 340 locations throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Louisville, KY, US

Year founded

1988

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