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Child Life Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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:

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:

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

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$18.88 - $28.80/hr

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 ...

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 ...

Child Life Specialist

Duluth, MN · On-site

$26.76 - $40.14/hr

Must currently have a Child Life Professional Certification or be currently enrolled in a Child Life Professional Certification or current enrollment in a Child Life Professional program. Education ...

Child Life Specialist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$18.88 - $28.80/hr

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 ...

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 Specialist Req #: 0000248030 Category: Behavioral and Mental Health Status: Full-Time Shift: Day Facility: RWJ New Brunswick Department: Child Life Program Pay Range: $64,542.90 - $80,678 ...

Child Life Specialist

Rochester, MN · On-site

$27.24 - $40.62/hr

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

Child Life Specialist

Abilene, TX · On-site

$25.20 - $30/hr

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: NBI - Valerie Fund Req #: 0000249530 Status: Hourly Shift: Day Pay Range: $35.46 - $35.46 per hour Pay Transparency:

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How much do child life jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for child life 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 Child Life specialists and what do they do?

Child Life specialists are trained professionals who support children and families in hospitals and other healthcare settings. They help children cope with the stress and anxiety of medical procedures, hospitalization, and illness through play, education, and emotional support. Their goal is to promote healthy development and reduce the trauma associated with medical experiences. Child Life specialists also provide guidance to parents and collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure the child's emotional and developmental needs are met.

How do Child Life Specialists typically support children and families during stressful medical procedures?

Child Life Specialists play a crucial role in helping children and their families cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of hospitalization and medical procedures. They use age-appropriate explanations, therapeutic play, and distraction techniques to reduce anxiety and promote understanding. Additionally, they often collaborate with medical staff to advocate for the needs of pediatric patients and provide guidance to families on how to support their child’s well-being during treatment. This role requires strong communication skills, empathy, and the ability to adapt interventions to each child’s unique needs.

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 degree in child life, psychology, or a related field, along with knowledge of child development and family systems. Certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and experience with therapeutic play, patient education tools, and hospital information systems are commonly required. Exceptional communication, empathy, and stress-management skills help you support children and families coping with medical challenges. These competencies are crucial for reducing patient anxiety, fostering resilience, and improving overall patient experiences in healthcare environments.
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Child Life Specialist

$35.46/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


RWJBarnabas Health rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 322 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

185th of 867 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Job Title: 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:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Job Overview:

The Child Life Specialist provides optimal developmental and psychosocially appropriate care for pediatric patients & families. Assess children’s developmental & coping needs & implements developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions such as play, medical play, psychological preparation & rehearsed coping to minimize distress associated with the healthcare environment & to foster resiliency. Supports patients, siblings, and family during the end of life. Collaborates as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop& administer an individualized plan of care.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in the field of Child life, Child Development, Child and Family Studies, Psychology or related field
  • Completion of 600-hour Child life internship
  • ACLP exam Eligible
  • Child Life Certification (CCLS) required within 1 year of employment
  • BLS Provider CPR certification through American Heart Association

Certifications and Licenses Required:

  • American Heart Association BLS
  • Child Life Certification (CCLS) required within 1 year of employment

Scheduling Requirements:

  • Part-Time (35 hours/week)

Essential Functions:

  • Advocates for the needs of children and youth by maintaining open communication with other healthcare team members
  • Integrates multidisciplinary team goals into the child life program
  • Communicates concisely to team members integrating child life theory, research and practice at case conferences, rounds and informally
  • Consults with Child Life Manager regarding all situations requiring specific attention or follow-up
  • Determines and prioritizes needs, scope and depth of child life service required for each patient
  • Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with children and families,
  • Follows established program structure, policies and procedures of medical center
  • Gives lectures within the healthcare setting, adapting approaches to content to the audience
  • Always maintains the playroom and all equipment in a clean and sanitary manner
  • Seeks the involvement of families in their child s, child life goals, matching the expectations with family
  • Trains and orients volunteers in the Child Life program
  • Matches patients’ needs and volunteer's skills in making assignment
  • Uses developmentally appropriate play as a primary tool in assessing and meeting the child s psychosocial needs in the healthcare setting
  • Uses developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aides and techniques in such a way that the knowledge is increased and determines with the healthcare team, realistic and obtainable goals and objectives for patients learning, and who will address these goals
  • Writes concisely, objectively, and accurately in the patient’s medical record, documenting developmental and behavioral issues which impact patient care
  • Acts as an advocate for families in the health care setting
  • Acts as a role model regarding age specific and developmentally appropriate care
  • Documents professional assessment in a timely manor
  • Educates families regarding children s responses to healthcare environments, coping, chronic illness, and grief

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement Plans
  • Short & Long Term Disability
  • Life & Accidental Death Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Wellness Programs
  • Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
  • Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team.  We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time.  As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health. 

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.


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About RWJBarnabas Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest integrated health care delivery system, providing treatment and services to more than three million patients each year. Throughout RWJBarnabas Health, our dedicated physicians, nurses, and health professionals are committed to providing the highest quality of patient care and health education to the community and region. We aim to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey - whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Orange, NJ, US

Year founded

2015