The Child Life Specialist (CLS), Entry is an entry level position for uncertified Child Life Specialists. The CLS Entry works in health care and community settings to address the psychosocial, emotional, and family concerns that accompany the illness and injury of children, adolescents, and young adults. This CLS Entry utilizes developmentally appropriate information, procedure support, emotional processing, play, self-expression, and empowerment to improve the coping and adjustment of patients and families. The CLS Entry collaborates with the multidisciplinary healthcare and psychosocial teams to ensure that emotionally safe and family-centered care is being provided. In addition, the CLS Entry assists in developing and maintaining resources and in planning and facilitating special events.
Duties & Responsibilities
POPULATION SPECIFIC CARE
Neonate - <30 days
Infancy - >30 days to 1yr
Toddlers - >1yr to 3yrs
Pre-Schoolers - >3yrs to 5yrs
School age - >5yrs to 13yrs
Adolescent - >13yrs to 18yrs
Adult - >18yrs to 65yrs
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all the following essential functions. These examples do not include all the functions which the employee may be expected to perform.
1. Applies formal and informal techniques to assess patient/family acuity and psychosocial risk while adapting services to meet the patient/family's needs, goals, and preferences. Collects, interprets, and integrates relevant data into the psychosocial assessment and plan of care.
2. Considers the impact of diagnosis, procedures, and treatment. Incorporates into interventions the anticipated impacts of illness, injury, and healthcare experiences.
3. Facilitates basic interventions which allow children/youth to express feelings, process upsetting events, and explore positive coping skills while creating opportunities which strengthen the patients' self-esteem, independence, and understanding of medical diagnosis of care.
4. Utilizes best practice and/or evidence-based practice to ensure a high level of care.
5. Facilitates basic interventions including psychological preparation and/or procedure support to infants/children/youth undergoing medical procedures or surgeries to improve coping and understanding.
6. Implements short and long-term plans for patients and families; monitors progress and evaluates overall developmental response to hospitalization and/or medical care.
7. Collaborates with internal and external CHCO organizational partners and participates in special events including fundraising efforts, to foster hospital engagement.
8. Documents in the patient electronic medical record to meet regulatory and departmental documentation.
9. Participates in departmental committees, quality improvement, professional development, and/or research initiatives/programs related to Child Life services as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Degrees
- Area of Study
- Child Life, Child Development, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related fields.
- Experience
- Successful completion of 600 hours of child life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist
- Licenses & Certifications
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) must be obtained within one (1) year of hire
Schedule/Shift
Salary Information
Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience.
Hourly Range: $23.54 to $35.31
Benefits Information
Here, you matter. As a Children's Hospital Colorado team member, you will receive a competitive pay and benefits package designed to take care of your needs that includes base pay, incentives, paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, company provided life and disability insurance, paid parental leave, 403b employer match (retirement savings), a robust wellness program, and access to professional development tools, including an education benefit to help you advance your career.
As part of our Total Rewards package, Children's Colorado offers an annual employee bonus program that rewards eligible team members based on organizational performance. If organizational goals are met for the year, the bonus is paid out the following April.
Children's Colorado delivers annual base pay increases to eligible team members based on their performance over the previous year.
EEO Statement
It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Be aware that none of the questions are intended to imply illegal preferences or discrimination based on non-job-related information. The position is expected to stay open until the posted close date. Please submit your application as soon as possible as the posting is subject to close at any time once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.
Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Children's Hospital Colorado
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, 403(b)
Oct 27, 2025