Why Child Life Specialists Make a Children’s Hospital So Unique

Surgery. Shots. Medication. Sickness. Pain. Disease. Cancer. Rehab.

For any patient, these words are difficult and discouraging to hear. For children especially, these words are not only difficult and discouraging, but also scary and confusing. For many of these kids, the experience and words are completely foreign. They just want life to be normal.

Even though our patients are some of the most optimistic and courageous people you’ll meet, they still need help navigating this unfamiliar territory. It’s for these experiences, and others like it, that Child Life Specialists are the perfect remedy. Having Child Life Specialists on hand is one of the things that makes a children’s hospital so unique.

Through play, self-expression activities and appropriate education and medical preparation, Child Life Specialists help kids when they’re most vulnerable by providing proven, evidence-based and age-appropriate interventions to help reduce their pain, fear and anxiety.

Interested in Becoming a Child Life Specialist?

Child Life Specialists are certified through the Association of Child Life Professionals. To become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) individuals must complete both education and experience requirements and then pass an exam.

Education Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent if outside the United States) and,
• At least 10 college-level courses within the child life or related subject area (child development, psychology, human development, family studies, etc.)
• One of those 10 courses must be taught be a Certified Child Life Specialist

Experience Requirements

• Complete an internship of at least 480 hours under the supervision of a qualified Certified Child Life Specialist

Exam

• After completion of the above, candidates must pass the Child Life Professional Certification Exam

Maintaining Certification

• To maintain certification, individuals must complete at least 50 hours of professional development every five years

March is Child Life Specialist month and the work our Child Life Specialists do is truly amazing.