Job Description & Qualifications
About the Role
Help Children and Families Feel Supported During Their Healthcare Journey. As a Child Life Assistant, you will play an important role in creating a safe, comforting, and supportive experience for children and families during their time in the hospital. You’ll work alongside healthcare professionals to provide age-appropriate activities, support, and normalization that help patients and families cope with hospitalization.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with children, thrives in a collaborative environment, and wants to make a meaningful difference every day.
What You Will Do
- Support children and families through therapeutic play, and activities
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Help to normalize the hospital environment for patients and families in an age-appropriate way
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Collaborate with healthcare team members, volunteers, and students to provide coordinated patient-centered care
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Create a welcoming and engaging environment that promotes emotional well-being
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Participate in quality improvement initiatives and ongoing learning opportunities
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Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality while following all hospital policies and standards
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Support additional department needs and responsibilities as assigned
What Success Looks like
In this role, you will:
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Build trusting relationships with children and families
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Help reduce stress and anxiety for pediatric patients during hospitalization
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Contribute positively to the patient and family experience
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Work collaboratively with a compassionate multidisciplinary team
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Continue developing your skills in pediatric and family-centered care
You may be a great fit if you:
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Enjoy working with children and supporting families during challenging moments
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Bring compassion, patience, creativity, and strong communication skills
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Work well in a team-oriented healthcare environment
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Adapt easily to changing patient and department needs
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Are committed to learning and professional growth
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
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Previous experience working with children
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate’s Degree
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Experience in healthcare, pediatric support, education, recreation, or related settings
Why Join us
- Meaningful work that positively impacts children and families
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Collaborative and supportive healthcare team
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Opportunities for professional growth and continued learning
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Inclusive environment that values compassion and teamwork
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The chance to bring comfort, play, and support to patients every day
Physical Requirements
- This role involves an active healthcare environment and may require:
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Frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling (up to 50 lbs)
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Frequent reaching, handling, kneeling, crouching, and repetitive movements
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Constant communication, hearing, and coordination activities
Travel Requirements
- 10%
Additional Salary Detail:
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of posting of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member’s base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, union negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity). This figure does not include, unless otherwise stated incentive pay or shift differential pay or the value of University Hospitals’ comprehensive benefits package, which includes healthcare, dental, vision, retirement plan options, and additional offerings. Click here to view complete wellness and benefits details.
For over 150 years, University Hospitals has been dedicated to our mission To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Starting as a small Cleveland hospital in 1866, UH has grown into 18 hospitals and 40 health centers, serving 1 million people annually.
UH delivers exceptional care, advances medical innovation, and trains future healthcare leaders. Now, you have the opportunity to add your talents to this legacy of care. At UH, you’ll join a collaborative team in an inspiring environment where your skills and ideas will be valued. Together, we can continue to shape the future of healthcare and deliver on the promise of our mission for generations to come.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

We want you to make a career with us and we are here to support you – both in and out of work. Our comprehensive benefits program offers choice and flexibility to meet you where you are in your life.
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plan
- Paid Short and Long Term Disability
- Life and Account Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
- Wellness Programs and Plans
- Financial Health Resources
- Career Development Resources
- And More!
*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type.
View complete wellness and benefits details on our Why Choose Us page.

We want you to make a career with us and we are here to support you – both in and out of work. Our comprehensive benefits program offers choice and flexibility to meet you where you are in your life.
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plan
- Paid Short and Long Term Disability
- Life and Account Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
- Wellness Programs and Plans
- Financial Health Resources
- Career Development Resources
- And More!
*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type.


Working at University Hospitals
Careers at UH offers opportunities to provide care locally in the Cleveland area with the power to impact healthcare nationwide. As leaders in our industry, our staff share a commitment to be the difference in the lives of our patients and our communities from Northeast Ohio and beyond. Look at this video to discover how we’re building an organization for the future today.
Nightshift Module
Night shift provides a unique and rewarding opportunity for caregivers who thrive in a close-knit, supportive environment. With fewer distractions and a calmer atmosphere, you’ll have the chance to foster meaningful relationships with both colleagues and patients. The quieter pace allows for more in-depth patient connections, greater autonomy, and the opportunity to refine your skills. Whether it’s the flexibility to fit your lifestyle, the teamwork and problem-solving that come with a close-knit team, or the financial benefits of shift differential pay, night shift offers a space where you can grow both personally and professionally. If you excel in a late-night environment and appreciate the independence and collaboration it offers, our night shift team is the perfect fit for you!
Hear from our team about why they enjoy working the night shift and how it has shaped their careers.
Sara H.
Multi Modality
I like nightshift because the smaller staff helps me build connections and friendships with the staff around me. Helping us to better communicate without any issues, including doctors. I can work independently, keeping my thinking skills sharp. Even when it is quiet, it is never boring.










