DESCRIPTION

The child life specialist will provide opportunities for therapeutic and leisure play, promote optimum development of children and youth, and help patients and families adjust to and understand health care experiences. As part of the inter-professional team, the child life specialist will prepare and support children and youth during medical tests and procedures. This position involves evening and weekend hours.

POSITION SUMMARY

• Assess the psychosocial needs of patients and families using theories of human growth and development and family systems.
• Assess patient’s development level, temperament and coping style and provide a variety of play and therapeutic activities which promote self-expression, understanding, and mastery of medical experiences.
• Plan group processes while incorporating individual therapeutic goals to match patient needs.
• In collaboration with the inter-professional team, develop individual treatment plans in accordance with prognosis, limitations, disease process, nature of illness, and available social supports.
• Organize and prepare activity areas to promote therapeutic activities taking into consideration a variety of mobility needs and a wide age span.
• Use developmentally appropriate medical teaching tools to prepare patients, siblings, and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Provide emotional support during intensified stress points and utilize stress reduction techniques to facilitate adaptive coping.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Police Record Check (PRC) (Essential)
• Baccalaureate in Child Life, Child and Family Studies, Therapeutic Recreation or related field (Essential)
• Current Child Life Certification (CCLS) through Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (English/French) (Essential)
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a pediatric health care setting (Preferred)

* Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

Should the applicant require any accommodations during the application process please notify Human Resources as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.