Child Life Program
At Tallahassee Memorial, we’re home to Leon County’s only Child Life Program, designed to take the scary out of healthcare. Our certified child life specialists help children and families cope with illness and hospitalization through education, support and play.
How Does Child Life Benefit Your Child?
Our certified child life specialists are essential members of your child’s healthcare team, specialized in child development and children’s reactions to hospitalization. By easing stress and anxiety, they help kids gain a sense of comfort and control in the hospital environment.
Your child’s child life specialist will:
- Explain procedures and treatments in a way your child can understand
- Use distraction techniques to reduce pain and anxiety during procedures
- Offer activities for play to promote self-expression and coping while your child is in the hospital
- Help make the hospital feel more friendly and comfortable
Want to Become a Child Life Specialist at TMH?
We’re seeking certified Child Life Specialists for The Children’s Center and Emergency Center - Northeast, with a sign-on bonus of $5,000!
Our Child Life Specialists serve as a resource and advocate in a child’s development. This role promotes effective coping, through emotionally and developmentally appropriate exercises, to assist our patients and their families with their healthcare experiences and continued growth.
As a community-based hospital, we embrace the service of community members. Child Life Specialists at TMH supervise the Volunteer Program for The Children’s Center and all student interns across multiple disciplines, including Art, Family & Child Life Sciences, Child Life Practicum, and Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment Program (COPE).
Required Education:
Minimum: Bachelor's degree in Child Life.
Preferred: Master's degree in Child Life or Human Development.
Must have completed a full-time (min 450 hours) internship in a qualified Child Life program in a pediatric facility, under the supervision and advisement of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Required Certification:
Must be certified as a Child Life Specialist by the Child Life Council or be eligible and obtain certification within 18 months of start date and maintain professional affiliations and license through the Child Life Council.
