Child Life Specialist
About The Position
Child Life Specialists at UVA Health Children’s play a crucial role in assisting children and adolescents in understanding, coping with, and navigating the challenges of illness, hospitalization, and medical procedures. This is a meaningful and highly skilled role focused on supporting patients and families during critical moments and ensuring emotional care is integrated into every clinical experience. This position offers a career-defining opportunity in pediatric care, allowing specialists to practice at the top of their training within a leading academic health system. Child Life Specialists are respected clinical partners whose expertise contributes to patient resilience, reduced anxiety, and positive coping outcomes. UVA Health offers the support, scope, and purpose for growth in a collaborative, high acuity pediatric environment. Current openings are available in the Pediatric Emergency Department (including nights and weekends), Pediatric Acute Care, and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
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
