Becoming a Child Life Specialist

Child life specialists play an important role in helping children and families in some of the most difficult times of their lives. Becoming a child life specialist sets you on the path to a very rewarding career.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps that somebody must take in order to become a child life specialist.

Step One: Education

Child life specialists require a significant amount of education in order to become qualified for the position. One must complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, preferably in child development, psychology, education, or a related field. For some positions, a master’s degree may also be required. Additionally, many positions will require coursework specific to child life leadership, providing an understanding of the needs of children and families in a medical setting.

Step Two: Certification

After completion of the educational requirements, the second step towards becoming a qualified child life specialist is to get certification from the Child Life Council. There are 3 different types of certification: Registered Child Life, Qualified Child Life, and Professional Child Life. Qualified Child Life professionals must, at minimum, have 1,000 hours of work experience, have taken 10 hours of fieldwork in a medical setting, and must complete an exam to get certification.

Step Three: Professional Experience

Once certified, the final step is to gain professional experience in order to become a fully registered child life specialist. Professional experience will vary depending on the position, but it could include providing therapy and support for children and families in a hospital, specialist, or residential settings; developing recreational and educational activities; and providing bereavement counseling and support. Many states will also require child life specialists to complete a certain amount of continuing education credits in order to stay certified.

AI’s Impact on Child Life Specialists

In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have created an impact on many different professions. For child life specialists, AI assists in developing stronger therapeutic relationships and provides additional support to those who are caring for children in hospitals. Another use of AI in this field is through virtual reality, allowing child life specialists to create virtual environments for patients to explore. AI can also be utilized to analyze data and provide insights to doctors regarding treatments and potential efficacy.

Conclusion

Becoming a child life specialist is a rewarding journey that requires dedication and commitment. With the right education and professional experience, you can be well on your way to a rewarding career as a child life specialist. Additionally, AI can help child life specialists to provide better care to children and families in need.