Child Life Specialist

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.

A career-defining opportunity in pediatric care.

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.

• 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

An average day may include bedside support, procedural preparation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and family education—often in fast‑paced, emotionally complex environments where your presence makes a measurable difference.

UVA Health Children’s is consistently recognized as the #1 Children’s Hospital in Virginia, reflecting a deep commitment to pediatric excellence, academic medicine, and compassionate, family‑centered care. Located within UVA Medical Center, UVA Health Children’s offers advanced specialty and surgical services, a Level I Trauma Center, a Level IV NICU, and a Pediatric ICU—providing Child Life Specialists with broad clinical exposure and meaningful professional growth opportunities.

As part of UVA Health, you’ll join a nationally recognized academic health system known for innovation, collaboration, and Magnet® recognized nursing excellence. Child Life Specialists are valued members of the care team, supported by leadership that understands the critical role of psychosocial care in pediatric outcomes.

Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Charlottesville offers an exceptional quality of life, blending small‑city charm with big university energy. Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area is known for outdoor recreation, vibrant arts and music, award‑winning food and wineries, and a strong sense of community. With a lower cost of living than many academic medical hubs and easy access to hiking, biking, and cultural events, Charlottesville is a place where healthcare professionals can truly balance career fulfillment with personal wellbeing.

Compensation for this role reflects the value UVA Health Children’s places on the impact, expertise, and scope of responsibility of the child life specialists. With a base pay rate of $34.13 per hour, this position is recognized as critical to achieving our vision to be the best place to work, while transforming patient care. The pay structure is designed to attract…