A child life specialist is a health care professional who provides psychosocial support and education to children and families who have been affected by medical events. Individuals who are certified by the Child Life Council, an international organization that regulates the child life profession, typically work as child life specialists. The majority of child life specialist jobs are in pediatric hospitals, but these professionals may also work in other settings depending on their clinical expertise. In some settings, a position as a child life specialist assistant may be available.
Child life specialist jobs typically involve a variety of approaches to supporting the psychosocial needs of children and families who are dealing with acute or chronic medical conditions, surgeries, terminal illness, or other medical stressors. To help reduce stress and promote self-expression, a child life specialist might use therapeutic play, relaxation techniques, humor, and other developmentally appropriate activities. He or she also aids the child’s and family’s psychological preparation for upcoming medical procedures such as testing, surgeries, or treatments. Child life specialists are present with the child during medical procedures whenever possible.
A career as a child life specialist might be a good fit for someone who enjoys interacting with kids and their families. Excellent communication skills, the ability to explain medical procedures in a simple manner, and the ability to adjust to the emotional and developmental needs of individual children are all important job requirements. Administrative work, writing, coordinating workshops and other programs, and public speaking are all possible responsibilities for child life specialists. Other psychosocial support professionals, such as social workers and chaplains, as well as doctors, nurses, and other members of the medical team, frequently collaborate with child life specialists.
Child life specialist jobs can be found on inpatient or intensive care wards, in emergency departments, or in outpatient clinics, depending on the size and complexity of the individual hospital setting. Some child life specialist jobs can be found in similar health-care settings like hospices or private medical offices. Such jobs can occasionally emerge in non-traditional settings, such as schools or community intervention programs.
A bachelor’s degree in child life or a related field such as psychology, child development, or early childhood education is required for child life certification. A supervised clinical internship and passing a certification exam are also required to become a certified child life specialist. To keep his or her certification, he or she must participate in continuing education opportunities.
In the 1960s, the child life profession arose in the United States and Canada. Maria Montessori’s child development theories had a strong influence on the profession early on. Many major metropolitan and research hospitals now have child life programs.