A child life specialist assistant typically works in a hospital setting and works directly with hospitalized and ill children daily. Although the daily job duties may differ, there are a few prerequisites to getting a job as a child life specialist assistant.

Experience

Experience working or volunteering with hospitalized children is necessary to become a child life specialist assistant. Since the child life specialist assistant would be planning daily activities where pediatric patients are cared for, this person would need to be able to further the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of patients. In addition, the child life specialist assistant would need to have experience working or volunteering with hospitalized children, because they would need to have the know-how to aid in reducing the traumatic effects of illness and hospitalization, according to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children Child Life Specialist Assistant job description.

High School Diploma

A high school diploma is a major requirement for child life specialist assistants nationwide. Many jobs require additional schooling or experience to work as a child life specialist assistant, but having a high school diploma or equivalent is imperative before going on to further your education to become a child life specialist assistant.

Child Development Coursework

Degree or coursework in child development or related field is another requirement for this field. Depending on the hospital, the requirements may vary from a few courses in child development to a Bachelor’s degree in the subject.