Child Life Specialist - Maternal Newborn/Paediatrics

The Child Life Specialist contributes to excellence in paediatric care by providing psychosocial assessments and support for infants, children, youth and families in hospital. As part of a large inter-professional team, the Child Life Specialist also supports program development and paediatric education across departments and sites.

• Plan and implement a range of developmentally-appropriate interventions to promote effective coping and optimum development.
• Provide education and support to paediatric healthcare teams regarding the implementation and maintenance of child-friendly environments and developmentally-appropriate care.
• Support adaptation to the hospital environment and an understanding of medical experiences by providing therapeutic play and healthcare play opportunities.
• Prepare children, youth, and families cognitively and emotionally for medical and surgical procedures through in-person and virtual programming. Provide procedural support and accompany patients in the Operating Room and diagnostic testing.
• Coordinate and supervise students, volunteers, special visitors and events, including seasonal and holiday planning. Manage and maintain Child Life resources, including toys, educational materials and donations (in collaboration with the Foundation).
• Evaluate and integrate research into practice, and provide knowledge translation resources for staff, physicians, volunteers and families. Develop and maintain policies and procedures for the Child Life Program, and review and adjust as needed.
• 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 support the patient’s plan of care. Participate and contribute to inter-professional committees that impact paediatric health-related practice.
• Provide in-service and community education as requested.