UK HealthCare
Job Title
Child Life Specialist / UKHC
Location Lexington, KY
Grade Level 08
Salary Range $23.52 - $30.09 per hour
Position Type Staff Position, Full-Time
Department H3062: KCH-Administration
Required Education Bachelor’s Degree (BA) required. Preferred: child life, child development, or health-related field with child life emphasis.
Related Experience No experience required. Preferred: completion of a child life internship prior to hire date.
License / Certification Child Life Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals within 18 months of hire date, and Child Life Certification (CCLS) within one year of hire.
Shift 8‑hour shifts; weekends and holidays possible.
Physical Requirements
Intermittently standing or walking with objects up to 25 lbs.
Occasionally lifting, pushing, pulling objects up to 50 lbs.
Sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods and performing repetitive motions (e.g., typing).
Working at heights above four feet and/or in confined spaces.
Some job‑related travel ( Risk of injury from moving, lifting, or positioning patients, equipment, or materials; exposure to loud noises, temperature extremes, hazardous chemicals, radiation, burns, cuts/punctures, blood‑borne or airborne pathogens, combative or violent people.
Job Summary Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) at the University of Kentucky is actively recruiting a compassionate and skilled Child Life Specialist to join our dedicated team. GCH hosts the state's only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care and is home to a Pediatric Level I Trauma Center offering the excellent opportunity to deliver a wide range of interventions and services. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating psychosocial patient and family needs for children aged neonatal to 17 years. As a Child Life Specialist, you will play a vital role in meeting the emotional, developmental, and psychosocial needs of our young patients and their families. With a special focus on helping children and adolescents navigate the challenges associated with illness, injury, and hospitalization, you will actively work to minimize stressors and alleviate anxiety. Your commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment will contribute significantly to the overall well‑being of our patients and their families. This position requires the completion of a child life internship under the supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist as outlined by the ACLP (http://childlife.org/certification/becoming-certified). CCLS certification must be obtained within one year of hire. Beyond the requisite qualifications, we are seeking an individual who is eager to align themselves with opportunities that promote continuous professional development. By actively engaging in ongoing education and staying abreast of advancements in the field, you will not only enhance your own skills but contribute to the overall excellence of our Child Life Services program.
Key Responsibilities
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate psychosocial patient and family needs for children aged neonatal to 17 years.
Help children and adolescents navigate challenges associated with illness, injury, and hospitalization.
Minimize stressors and alleviate anxiety for patients and families.
Foster a supportive and nurturing environment to promote overall well‑being.
Engage in continuous professional development and education related to child life practice.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Experience working with children and families in stressful situations.
Good communication skills.
Understanding of child life assessment, child development theory, and child life practice.
Preferred Qualifications
Completion of a child life internship required by date of hire.
Child Life Certification (within one year of hire).
No supervisory responsibilities.
Deadline to Apply 01/04/2026
EEO Statement We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn, and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Location Lexington, KY
Grade Level 08
Salary Range $23.52 - $30.09 per hour
Position Type Staff Position, Full-Time
Department H3062: KCH-Administration
Required Education Bachelor’s Degree (BA) required. Preferred: child life, child development, or health-related field with child life emphasis.
Related Experience No experience required. Preferred: completion of a child life internship prior to hire date.
License / Certification Child Life Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals within 18 months of hire date, and Child Life Certification (CCLS) within one year of hire.
Shift 8‑hour shifts; weekends and holidays possible.
Physical Requirements
Intermittently standing or walking with objects up to 25 lbs.
Occasionally lifting, pushing, pulling objects up to 50 lbs.
Sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods and performing repetitive motions (e.g., typing).
Working at heights above four feet and/or in confined spaces.
Some job‑related travel ( Risk of injury from moving, lifting, or positioning patients, equipment, or materials; exposure to loud noises, temperature extremes, hazardous chemicals, radiation, burns, cuts/punctures, blood‑borne or airborne pathogens, combative or violent people.
Job Summary Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH) at the University of Kentucky is actively recruiting a compassionate and skilled Child Life Specialist to join our dedicated team. GCH hosts the state's only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care and is home to a Pediatric Level I Trauma Center offering the excellent opportunity to deliver a wide range of interventions and services. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating psychosocial patient and family needs for children aged neonatal to 17 years. As a Child Life Specialist, you will play a vital role in meeting the emotional, developmental, and psychosocial needs of our young patients and their families. With a special focus on helping children and adolescents navigate the challenges associated with illness, injury, and hospitalization, you will actively work to minimize stressors and alleviate anxiety. Your commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment will contribute significantly to the overall well‑being of our patients and their families. This position requires the completion of a child life internship under the supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist as outlined by the ACLP (http://childlife.org/certification/becoming-certified). CCLS certification must be obtained within one year of hire. Beyond the requisite qualifications, we are seeking an individual who is eager to align themselves with opportunities that promote continuous professional development. By actively engaging in ongoing education and staying abreast of advancements in the field, you will not only enhance your own skills but contribute to the overall excellence of our Child Life Services program.
Key Responsibilities
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate psychosocial patient and family needs for children aged neonatal to 17 years.
Help children and adolescents navigate challenges associated with illness, injury, and hospitalization.
Minimize stressors and alleviate anxiety for patients and families.
Foster a supportive and nurturing environment to promote overall well‑being.
Engage in continuous professional development and education related to child life practice.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Experience working with children and families in stressful situations.
Good communication skills.
Understanding of child life assessment, child development theory, and child life practice.
Preferred Qualifications
Completion of a child life internship required by date of hire.
Child Life Certification (within one year of hire).
No supervisory responsibilities.
Deadline to Apply 01/04/2026
EEO Statement We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn, and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status. Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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