Child Life Specialist - Pediatric Shared Services

Unit Summary

Step into a job that opens countless doors. As Ontario’s most comprehensive healthcare system, providing advanced care to people of all ages from across the province, we offer endless opportunities. You can explore advancement opportunities, take professional development courses, and stretch yourself as a leader, all at HHS. We are the largest employer in the greater Hamilton region, and play a vital role in training the next generation of health professionals in collaboration with our academic partners, including McMaster University and Mohawk College. Hamilton Health Sciences is a hospital system of 18,000 staff, physicians, researchers and volunteers that proudly serves south central Ontario residents. We also provide specialized, advanced care to people from across the province.

McMaster Children's Hospital is the regional academic centre for pediatric acute care, rehabilitation, developmental and mental health services. The Extensive Needs/Mi-Care Program is comprised of Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) and Ministry of Health (MOH) funded services for individuals up to the age of 18, whose needs cannot be met in a single service stream and requires an integrated approach across Mental, Behavioural and Developmental Health. The Extensive Needs/Mi Care Program supports a culture of innovation, family centered service and evidenced based interventions.

Position Summary

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 support patients across many child and youth clinics.

Schedule Work Hours

Monday - Friday; days - This role is required to work one weekend in a regular rotation.

This position is temporary until October 2027.

Qualifications

• 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

Hamilton Health Sciences fosters a culture of patient and staff safety, whereby all employees are guided by our Mission, Vision, Values, and Values Based Code of Conduct. Hamilton Health Sciences is a teaching hospital and all staff and physicians are expected to support students and other learners.

To be considered for this opportunity applicants must apply during the posting period. All internal and external applicants may ONLY apply via the Careers website. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Hamilton Health Sciences is an equal opportunity employer and we will accommodate any needs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, if requested. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application processes, please contact Human Resources at 905-521-2100, Ext. 46947 for assistance. If the applicant requires a specific accommodation because of a disability during an interview, the applicant will need to advise the hiring manager when scheduling the interview and the appropriate accommodations can be made.

This competition is open to all qualified applicants, however, qualified internal applicants will be considered first. Past performance will be considered as part of the selection process. If you are a previous employee of Hamilton Health Sciences, please note: the circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment. Proficiency in both Official Languages, French and English, is considered an asset.