How to Be Child Life Specialist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 10, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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A Child Life Specialist is an important figure in the lives of children, providing emotional support to them in stressful situations. They help children process difficult emotions and take an active role in their care. The presence of a Child Life Specialist in a child's life can have a number of positive effects.

It can improve their mental health, decrease the amount of stress they experience, and increase their self-confidence. it can result in better communication between children and their parents, allowing for more open and honest conversations. Finally, it can create a more positive environment for the whole family, resulting in a healthier, happier home.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree in child life, human development or psychology is the minimum educational requirement for a career in child life. Coursework includes psychology, communication, nutrition, family dynamics and healthcare systems.
Acquire Clinical Experience. Many programs require applicants to have a minimum number of hours of clinical experience working with children in a healthcare setting. It is important to gain experience early in the academic career.
Obtain Certification. The Child Life Professional Certification Program (CLPC) is the only certification program available for child life specialists. The CLPC is administered by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
Join Professional Organizations. Membership in professional organizations such as the ACLP provides access to continuing education opportunities and networking opportunities with other child life specialists.
Stay Current on Trends. A child life specialist should stay current on the most recent trends and research related to child development, child psychology and child health care needs.

The role of a Child Life Specialist is to help children and their families cope with the impact of illness, disability, and hospitalization. To ensure that children receive the best possible care, Child Life Specialists must be reliable and qualified. Qualifications for Child Life Specialists include a bachelors degree in child development, child life, or a related field, as well as certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals.

In addition to being educated in the field, Child Life Specialists must have the ability to effectively communicate and support children and their families. Having a reliable Child Life Specialist on hand can make a big difference in how well a child and their family can cope with a medical situation. The effects of having a qualified and reliable Child Life Specialist can be seen in the improved quality of care that they provide, as well as the emotional support they offer to both children and their families during a difficult medical experience.

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Job Description

Provide emotional support and education to families facing life-changing events, such as hospitalization of a child, birth of a new baby, or death of a family member.
Identify the needs of children and their families, and develop individualized plans to meet those needs through therapeutic play, creative activities, and support groups.
Help children express their emotions through play, art, music, and other creative activities.
Facilitate family meetings with healthcare providers to ensure the childs needs and wishes are considered in treatment decisions.
Develop and implement age-appropriate activities and events to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and provide enjoyment for hospitalized children.
Educate families on the normal development of children, as well as advise them on how to cope with stressful situations.
Provide crisis intervention to children and families in times of emergency or acute stress.
Advocate for the rights of children in healthcare settings, ensuring their voices are heard in treatment decisions.
Collaborate with healthcare providers and other professionals to coordinate care for children and families.
Document all services provided to children and families in order to track progress and outcomes.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of child development and its impact on the family
Knowledge of the impact of illness, injury, trauma, and loss on children and families
Ability to assess the psychosocial needs of children and families
Ability to provide therapeutic interventions to promote normal development and adjustment to stressors
Ability to collaborate with other disciplines to provide comprehensive care
Ability to provide patient education and health promotion
Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards related to child life services
Ability to develop and implement evidence-based practice standards
Ability to utilize research to inform practice
Knowledge of varied methods for data collection and analysis
Ability to evaluate clinical outcomes
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to supervise and mentor other professionals
Knowledge of cultural competence and sensitivity
Leadership skills and experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation

Being a successful Child Life Specialist requires a variety of skills in order to effectively support children and families. One of the most important skills for a Child Life Specialist is the ability to build strong relationships and create an environment of trust and safety. This is essential in order for children to feel comfortable sharing their feelings, concerns, and experiences.

Developing strong relationships also allows the Child Life Specialist to be an effective advocate for the child and their family. the Child Life Specialist must have excellent communication skills in order to effectively interact with children, families, and other healthcare professionals. They must also be able to interpret and explain medical procedures in a way that is age appropriate and understandable to children.

Finally, the Child Life Specialist must have a deep understanding of child development in order to provide support that is tailored to the age and needs of the child. Through these skills, the Child Life Specialist is able to provide valuable support to children and families during stressful times in their medical journey.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with children in a healthcare setting?
What inspired you to pursue a career as a Child Life Specialist?
How do you ensure that you are providing a safe and supportive environment for children and families?
Describe how you create therapeutic activities for children in a hospital setting.
How do you handle difficult conversations with families or caregivers?
What strategies do you use to help children cope with medical procedures or treatments?
What techniques do you use to explain medical terminology and concepts to children?
How do you collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible care for children?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest research and trends in the field of child life?
What do you think sets you apart from other Child Life Specialists?

Common Tools in Industry

Play Therapy. A therapeutic intervention in which a child is encouraged to explore their feelings and interactions through play. (e. g. Helping a child work through their feelings of anxiety through guided play. )
Developmental Screening Tools. Assessments used to measure a child's development and identify potential developmental delays or disabilities. (e. g. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a commonly used tool to assess a child's development. )
Crisis Intervention Skills. Techniques used to help children cope with traumatic situations or stressful events. (e. g. Using breathing exercises and positive self-talk to help a child cope with the stress of a medical procedure. )
Counseling Techniques. Strategies used to help children understand and express their emotions in a healthy way. (e. g. Using art therapy to help a child express their feelings about a difficult experience. )
Advocacy Skills. Working on behalf of children to ensure their rights are respected and their needs are met. (e. g. Working with parents and teachers to ensure a child's special education needs are being met. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)
National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP)
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
National Resource Center for Child Protective Services (NRCCPS)
International Association for Play Therapy (IAPT)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The Association for Child Psychoanalysis (ACP)

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Common Important Terms

Child Development. The study of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth that occurs in human beings from birth to adulthood.
Play Therapy. A type of therapy that uses play to help children express themselves, build trust in their therapist, and develop problem-solving skills.
Therapeutic Recreation. An approach to care that uses recreation activities to promote physical and mental health and wellness.
Family Therapy. A type of therapy that focuses on relationships between family members and how they can work together to improve communication and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A type of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
Trauma-Informed Care. An approach to care that takes into account the impact of a traumatic event on an individual's physical, mental, and emotional health.
Resilience. The ability to adapt to and recover from difficult experiences.
Educational Advocacy. The process of advocating for children or adults with disabilities so they can access the educational resources they need.
Crisis Intervention. Short-term counseling designed to help people quickly address a crisis situation.
Case Management. The process of coordinating and monitoring services for individuals with special needs or disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Child Life Specialist?

A Child Life Specialist is a healthcare professional who works with children and families in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, disability, and treatment.

What does a Child Life Specialist do?

A Child Life Specialist provides therapeutic play, education, and emotional support to help children understand and overcome their healthcare experiences. They also provide resources and support for families, such as helping them to understand medical terminology and procedures.

What qualifications are required to become a Child Life Specialist?

To become a Child Life Specialist, one must have a Bachelors degree in child life, child development or a related field, plus at least 600 hours of supervised clinical experience. They must also pass an exam administered by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).

How many Child Life Specialists are there in the United States?

According to the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), there are currently over 5,000 certified Child Life Specialists in the United States.

What is the average salary of a Child Life Specialist?

The average salary of a Child Life Specialist in the United States is $45,926 per year, according to Salary.com.

Web Resources

Child Life Specialist - Explore Health Care Careers - Mayo Clinic ... college.mayo.edu
Child Life Specialist (Minor) (Certificate) | Bloomsburg University www.bloomu.edu
Child Life Specialist Preparation Certificate - Stevens Point www.uwsp.edu