Beyond Hospitals: Diverse Career Paths for Child Life Specialists

Typically, when people think of child life specialists, they think of hospitals – that is the setting they associate the most with such professionals. However, it would be wrong to assume that these professionals cannot sustain a career outside the confines of such health facilities. They can also work in educational settings such as schools, partner with non-governmental organizations and nonprofits, offer hospice or pediatric palliative care to patients at home, take part in community wellness and health programs, and work as consultants or start their private practices. It is through such avenues that they can make good money – the estimated average annual pay of a child life specialist in the United States of America is $98,878.

This blog will discuss the various career paths for child life specialists outside of hospitals and also enumerate the certifications and skills that can open up more such avenues for these professionals.

Take your skills to the next level — Explore Master of Science in Child Life program

Career Paths for Child Life Specialists beyond the Hospital Setting in the USA 

Even beyond the traditional career paths, child life specialists in the USA can find a wide range of fulfilling career paths. They have skills, knowledge, and experience that they can apply in various other settings, such as the following:

• Community Outreach Programs
• Hospice Care
• Dental Offices
• Schools
• Camps
• Funeral Homes
• Private Practice

Special Education Programs and School Systems

Candidates looking for careers similar to a child life specialist can function really well in school environments, especially in guidance counseling and special education teams. They can support students who are coping with chronic illness, trauma, or grief, and assist educators in understanding the developmental and emotional requirements of such children.

Humanitarian and Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits and humanitarian organizations that cater to children and families in adverse conditions can offer rich career opportunities for child life specialists. In such roles, they might work with organizations that focus on foster care, disaster response, and domestic violence.

Home-Based Palliative and Hospice Care

In both home-based palliative care and pediatric hospices, these professionals can offer developmental and emotional support to children facing life-limiting illnesses as well as their families, and this is why these are among the most fulfilling career paths for child life specialists. They employ methods like therapeutic play, age-appropriate communication, and legacy-building activities to assist kids in processing complex concepts such as death and illness.

Community Wellness and Mental Health Centers

Child life specialists can also make meaningful contributions to mental health programs that cater to communities and collaborate with similar professionals, such as social workers, child therapists, and psychologists. They assist families facing behavioral issues, developmental concerns, and trauma by using family education and play-based techniques to promote emotional healing.

Consulting Roles and Private Practice

Consulting roles and private practice are great options for professionals looking to earn a high child life specialist salary. In such settings, they can offer direct services like play therapy, parent coaching, and medical preparation sessions. In this capacity, they can also work as consultants for toy companies, healthcare startups, and app developers to make sure they create developmentally sound and child-friendly programs and products.

Also Read: Child Life Degree Program

Skills and Certifications That Expand Child Life Career Options in the USA 

Candidates seeking the best child life specialist jobs outside hospitals should acquire the necessary skills and certifications to enhance their job prospects. They must also gain experience in this field through volunteer work or internships in healthcare settings, developing the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the profession.

Certifications	Skills
Child Life Specialist (CCS) Certification Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certifications First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification Play Therapy Certification Relevant Education, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life, Psychology, or Child Development etc. Certifications in Areas such as Medical Coding, Counseling, and Nursing	Interpersonal and Communication Skills Cultural Competency Specialized Skills like Medical Terminology, Working with Special Needs Children, and Grief and Bereavement Support Project Management

How Edgewood’s Online Child Life Program Opens Doors to Non-Traditional Roles in the USA 

The Master of Science in Child Life Program Online from Edgewood University prepares students for a successful career as a child life specialist. It helps them earn the best salary for child life specialists. Child life specialists play a critical role in the lives of children and families that face medical challenges. This one is a detailed program that focuses on empowering students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the psycho-social needs of the children, facilitate coping strategies in healthcare settings, and promote the normal development of their patients.

FAQs on Beyond Hospitals Career Paths for Child Life Specialists

Q: What jobs can a child life specialist do outside of hospitals in the US?
Ans: Child life specialists can work in various settings outside conventional hospital settings in the US:

• Outpatient Clinics
• Pediatrician’s Offices
• Hospice Centers
• Long-Term Childcare Facilities
• Dental Offices
• Schools
• Homes of Patients

Q: Is it common for child life specialists to work in schools or camps in the US?
Ans: The most common area of work for child life specialists in the US is hospitals, but these days, many of them are working in camps and schools as well.

Q: What’s the demand for child life specialists in the legal and justice systems in the US?
Ans: In the US, child life specialists enjoy good demand in the justice and legal systems across the country as they work in forensic interview support and child advocacy centers (CVCs).

Q: How can I transition from a hospital role to a non-clinical one in the US?
Ans: US candidates looking to switch from a hospital role to a non-clinical role must first identify skills that they can transfer to their new career, gain relevant experience, and tailor their networking efforts and resumes accordingly.

Q: Are there international opportunities for US-based child life specialists?
Ans: Yes, US-based child life specialists can find work outside the country. Although the profession is predominant in North America, it is expanding globally.