Primary Location

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*Expected Starting Pay Range

*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.

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 a top 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's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune 

• Consistently certified as great place to work 

• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability 

• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American 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