Child Life Specialist

**Job Description**:
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre is seeking a compassionate and skilled Child Life Specialist (CLS) to join our team. As part of the Maternal Child and Youth Programs the Child Life Specialist contributes to excellence within the healthcare team supporting Pediatric Patients across the organization; and is integral to supporting the emotional, developmental, and psychosocial needs of paediatric patients and their families. This role utilizes therapeutic play, preparation, education, and emotional support to help children navigate the challenges of illness, hospitalization and medical procedures. In consultation with the health care team the Child Life Specialist will work to create a child and family centered environment by providing additional support to parents, siblings, and other family members.

**Education/Requirements**:

- University degree in Child Development, Child and Family Studies, Psychology or related field.
- Designation of CCLS credentials through the Association of Child Life Professionals.

**Experience**:
Minimum one (1) year recent experience working with children, youth and families in healthcare setting preferred.

**Competencies**:

- Excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills with ability to connect with children of all ages with diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrates clinical expertise in child development theories and family systems.
- Demonstrates ability to assess paediatric patients’ needs and provide appropriate interventions.
- Proficiency in therapeutic techniques such as distraction methods, non-pharmacological pain management, and stress reduction strategies.
- Demonstrates flexibility to adapt interventions based on urgent or changing circumstances.
- Demonstrates excellent organizational and conflict management with proven critical and creative thinking skills.
- Demonstrates practice and commitment to the principles of patient and family centered care.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize workload while effectively collaborating within an interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrates ability to provide education to the health care team regarding the Child Life role, the psychosocial needs of children/adolescents in health care crisis situations and the services provided to address these needs.
- Commitment to standards of excellence and the ability to participate in quality improvement initiatives.

**Responsibilities**:

- Assess the developmental level and the psychosocial and emotional responses of the child to illness and the treatment process
- Plan and implement a range of individualized interventions to promote coping and optimum development. 
- Support patient adaptation to the hospital environment, and understanding of medical experiences by providing therapeutic play opportunities. 
- Prepare children, youth, and families cognitively and emotionally for medical and surgical procedures using age-appropriate language.
- Provide procedural support throughout hospital admission, in the Operating Room and with diagnostic testing. 
- Observe, document, and report relevant information relating to patients as it pertains to Child Life services, and work in collaboration with the family and healthcare team to coordinate care plans that address the psychosocial needs of paediatric patients.
- Demonstrate strong leadership skills related to child advocacy and family centered care to ensure child’s voice is heard within the healthcare team.
- Evaluate and integrate research into practice, and provide knowledge translation resources for staff, physicians, volunteers, and families.
- Develop, promote and maintain policies and procedures for the Child Life Program, and review and adjust as needed. 
- Participate and contribute to inter-professional committees that impact paediatric health-related practice.
- Support the use of volunteers to help promote meeting the needs of the Pediatric population and their families.
- Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Standards for the hospital and proactively promote a safe work environment.
- Responsible for delivery of care consistent with the vision and values of the hospital and the standards of relevant professional organizations.
- Travel may be expected
- Evenings and weekend could be possible