Job Title

Child Life Specialist, Child Life Centrewide Req ID: 215922 Department/Program: Child Life Centrewide , Children''s Surgical, Emergency and Rehabilitation Location: Halifax Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE) x 1 position(s) Start Date: ASAP Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit Compensation: $34,800$45,940 /hour Closing Date: Feb 17, 2026 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time) IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mikmaki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mikmaq people. Working in Mikmaki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels. Opportunity Reporting to the Managers, Inpatient Surgical Care/Child Life Services, with accountability to the Professional Practice Leader of Child Life Services for issues pertaining to professional standards of practice and ethics, the Child Life Specialist will work collaboratively as a member of interdisciplinary care teams. Child Life Specialists strive to reduce the impact of stressful or traumatic life events and situations which affect the development, health and well being of infants, children, youth and families. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: utilizing the Child Life Assessment Intervention Plan to determine the patient and familys vulnerability and response to stress from their health care experience; assessing and supporting patients and/or families regarding coping strategies during stressful events, medical procedures or changes in a family members medical condition; collaborating with the health care team to develop and support patient goals and the child life plan of care; initiating child life therapeutic interventions consequent to assessment to address their social, emotional and developmental needs; evaluating interventions provided; establishing and maintaining a supportive, helpful and trusting relationship with patients and families, students, volunteers and the health centres administration. The child life specialist acts as an advocate for individual patients/familys concerns, special needs and rights, makes appropriate referrals within the hospital and community; represents Child Life on committees, rounds, conferences and hospital and community initiatives where there is concern for the psychosocial, emotional and developmental needs of children, youth and families; examines the strengths and areas for improvement in child life service; completing administrative tasks (i.e. Workload Measurement) as required. Hours of Work Monday to Friday + Weekends Your Qualifications Eligibility for child life certification, at the time of hire, is required. Current Certification by the Child Life Certifying Committee preferred; Successful applicant will be required to successfully obtain child life certification within one (1) year of employment as a child life specialist. Demonstrated competence in: Growth & Development, Functions of Play, Therapeutic Processes & Boundaries, Family Systems Theory, Play Theory, Ethical Child Life Practice, Behaviour Management, Principles of Learning/Teaching. Demonstrated ability to provide psychological preparation and support for children/youth undergoing stressful health care experiences and transitions such as to home or community programs. Demonstrated skill in working with children/youth with health or behavioural challenges.Demonstrated effective decision making abilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team. Demonstrated initiative to work independently with minimal supervision. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office. Competency in other languages an asset; French preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr