Child Life Specialist
About The Position
At UVA Health Children’s, Child Life Specialists play a vital role in helping children and adolescents understand, cope with, and navigate the challenges of illness, hospitalization, and medical procedures. This is meaningful, highly skilled work, supporting patients and families at moments that matter most and ensuring emotional care is integrated into every clinical experience. This is more than a Child Life position. It is an opportunity to practice at the top of your training within one of the nation’s premier academic health systems. At UVA Health Children’s, Child Life Specialists are respected clinical partners whose expertise directly contributes to resilience, reduced anxiety, and positive coping outcomes for pediatric patients and their families. If you have completed your Child Life coursework and internship and are ready to grow your career in a collaborative, high acuity pediatric environment, UVA Health offers the support, scope, and purpose to do your best work. We have open positions in the following areas: Pediatric Emergency Department (Nights and Weekends), Pediatric Acute Care, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Outpatient Surgery. The Child Life Specialist is responsible for assessing, educating, preparing, and supporting pediatric patients and families throughout the healthcare experience. This role focuses on promoting emotional wellbeing, fostering coping and resilience, and minimizing the stress and anxiety associated with illness, injury, and hospitalization.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in child Life, child development, or a related field.
- Successful completion of a minimum 600-hour Child Life Clinical Internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
- Child Life Professional Certification required within one year of hire.
- American Heart Association (AHA) Health Care Provider BLS Certification required.
Responsibilities
- Assess developmental, psychosocial, and emotional needs of pediatric patients and families
- Prepare children and adolescents for medical procedures using developmentally appropriate education and therapeutic play
- Provide procedural and emotional support before, during, and after medical interventions
- Support families during times of uncertainty, crisis, and adjustment
- Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, and interdisciplinary care teams
- Adapt interventions to meet the needs of diverse patient populations across varying levels of acuity
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Long-term and Short-term Disability
- Retirement Savings
- Health Saving Plans
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Certification and education support
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
