My Professional Goals
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
iii. Once a connection is established through volunteer opportunities or through a contact, shadow a specialist and get an overview of what their day looks like
vi. Stay in contact with at least one Japanese professor, one HDF professor, and two work references
vii. If not immediately accepted to a Child Life Program, spend more time finding opportunities to volunteer at hospitals with a particularly notable or strong program
viii. Keep up to date with literature and articles about Child Life in order to remain competitive and knowledgeable
2. Work as a Child Life Specialist after finishing program requirements and passing the Child Life Professional Certification Examination
i. Complete a minimum of 480 hours of child life clinical experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist who meets specific qualifications.
ii. Have the Child Life Council review all Child Life related coursework in order to see if they will be accepted for exam application
iii. Submit Clinical Experience Verification Form at any volunteer sites from where I will gain qualifying experience
iv. Study for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination
vii. After achieving a passing score find a hospital or program in which a Child Life Specialist is needed.
viii. Keep certification up to date and take the exam for re-certification every five years.
ix. Keep up to date on current Child Life Literature and maintain currency and relevancy in the field through a variety of supplemental classes or education opportunities.
- Gain entrance into a certified Child life Program and obtain Child Life Specialist certification
- Child Life Programs will see if applicants are actively pursuing opportunities in which they can apply developmentally appropriate practices in a setting with children
iii. Once a connection is established through volunteer opportunities or through a contact, shadow a specialist and get an overview of what their day looks like
- If time permits, ask for an informational interview to establish how that individual became a child life specialist
- Typically Child Life Programs require about 150 hours of previous experience working with children in a medical setting
- I also want to ask around the Naval Hospital for potential opportunities in this field and establish strong contacts
vi. Stay in contact with at least one Japanese professor, one HDF professor, and two work references
vii. If not immediately accepted to a Child Life Program, spend more time finding opportunities to volunteer at hospitals with a particularly notable or strong program
viii. Keep up to date with literature and articles about Child Life in order to remain competitive and knowledgeable
2. Work as a Child Life Specialist after finishing program requirements and passing the Child Life Professional Certification Examination
i. Complete a minimum of 480 hours of child life clinical experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist who meets specific qualifications.
ii. Have the Child Life Council review all Child Life related coursework in order to see if they will be accepted for exam application
iii. Submit Clinical Experience Verification Form at any volunteer sites from where I will gain qualifying experience
iv. Study for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination
- This is an objective test that covers relevant knowledge, understanding,and practical application of child life theory and practice as determined by the Child Life Certifying Committee and other Certified Child Life Specialists
- Once placed into a program, be sure to review with current Child Life Specialists what the current year's cut off is. Maintain competitive edge and review material for test appropriately
vii. After achieving a passing score find a hospital or program in which a Child Life Specialist is needed.
viii. Keep certification up to date and take the exam for re-certification every five years.
ix. Keep up to date on current Child Life Literature and maintain currency and relevancy in the field through a variety of supplemental classes or education opportunities.