Child Life Specialist - Pediatric Shared Services
Hamilton Health Sciences
Location
Hamilton, Ontario
Quick overview
The Child Life Specialist provides emotional support, procedural preparation, and developmentally appropriate education to children and adolescents with various illnesses. They also offer intervention strategies to parents and siblings while collaborating with an interdisciplinary healthcare team across multiple clinics.
Requirements summary
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's in Child Life Studies or a Master's in Child Life Pediatric and Psychosocial Care, with certification required or obtainable within one year. A minimum of 1 to 2 years of experience in an acute, tertiary care setting is required.
Job description
The focus of this outpatient position is the care of children with a wide range of illnesses and conditions. In consultation with the health care team the Child Life Specialist will provide observations, assessments, procedural preparation and support as well as therapeutic interactions and activities that offer emotional support and developmentally appropriate education for children or adolescents related to their diagnosis/condition and plan of care. Intervention strategies for providing further support for their child may also be provided to the parents and siblings. This position will be supporting patients across many clinics in the child and youth clinics.
Bachelor's degree in Child Life Studies or Master’s degree in Child Life Pediatric and Psychosocial Care. Child Life Certification or obtainable within 1 year of hire for new graduates. Minimum of 1 to 2 years’ experience, within the last 3 years, as a Child Life Specialist in an acute, tertiary care setting Demonstrated clinical expertise in assessments, planning and interventions for children, adolescents and their families Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to provide interventions on an urgent basis Demonstrated organization, problem-solving and conflict management skills Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment Demonstrated ability to provide formal and informal education to health care team regarding the Child Life role, the psychosocial needs of children/adolescents related to care management Demonstrated understanding the role of community supports for the child/adolescent and family Participates in ongoing professional development