Child Life Specialist for Adaptive Care Team

Cincinnati Children's Office of Academic Affairs and Career Development; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Children’s is seeking a dedicated Child Life Specialist to join the Adaptive Care Team (ACT) at Burnet Campus, Cincinnati, OH. This full-time, 40-hour/week role is day-shift with one weekend day every eight weeks and holiday coverage rotation.

The role starts with a base pay of $55,182.40 per year, with potential increases based on experience, and includes a $5.00/hour weekend differential. A bachelor’s degree in a related field, successful completion of a child life internship, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Must have successful completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified child life specialist.
• Must be certified as a Child Life Specialist within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assess, create, and enroll appropriate patients in the Adaptive Care Program.
• Provide psychosocial and coping support for in-person healthcare appointments.
• Identify and advocate for the needs of patients and families within the healthcare system.
• Provide support, education, and resources to staff to ensure the adaptive care needs of patients are met.
• Utilizes formal and informal assessment skills and organizes pre-care planning for patients enrolled in the Adaptive Care Program before healthcare encounters.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Child Life Internship completion

Certified Child Life Specialist within 1 year of hire

Job description

• Expected Starting Pay Range $53,705.60 - $67,142.40
• Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Primary Location

Burnet Campus

Department

Child Life & Integrative Care

Shift

Day (United States of America)

Schedule

Full time

Weekly Hours

40

FTE

1

Employee Status

Regular

• Expected Starting Pay Range $53,705.60 - $67,142.40
• Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST FOR ADAPTIVE CARE TEAM (ACT)

Location: Burnet Campus, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati OH 45229

Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30a-5p, with 1 weekend day every 8 weeks plus holiday coverage rotation

Base Pay: Starts at $55,182.40 as a salaried/exempt employee, and can go up based on years of experience

Weekend Differential: $5.00/hour is added to base pay for working weekend days.

About The Adaptive Care Team And The Job

• We are skilled practitioners of adaptation of care for individuals with developmental disabilities and other behavioral health challenges
• Seek to improve the patient and family medical experience by promoting awareness across the care team and facilitating patient and family coping by focusing on the individual adaptation of care
• Child Life Specialists assess, create, and enroll appropriate patients in the Adaptive Care Program
• The team provides psychosocial and coping support for in-person healthcare appointments
• Will assist with identifying and advocating for the needs of patients and families within the healthcare system
• Provides support, education, and resources to staff to ensure the adaptive care needs of patients are met
• Utilizes formal and informal assessment skills and organizes pre-care planning for patients enrolled in the Adaptive Care Program before healthcare encounters

How To Qualify For The Job

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Must have successful completion of child life internship under the supervision of a certified child life specialist. Candidates that do not have a child life internship, will not be considered.
• Must be certified as a Child Life Specialist within one year of hire.

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.

Cincinnati Children's Is

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH)Funding
• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation'sAmerica’s Most Innovative Companiesas noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employeras noted by theNational Organization on Disability
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by theAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive Job Description Provided Upon Request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability