Child Life Specialist, Child Life Centrewide Regional Municipality

Company: IWK Health;
Req ;
Department/Program:
Child Life Centre, Children’s Surgical, Emergency and Rehabilitation;

Location:

Halifax;
Type of Employment:
Permanent, Full-Time;

Start Date:

ASAP;
Union Status: NSGEU Health Care;
Compensation: $34,800.60–$45,940.60 per hour;
Closing Date:
June 14, 2026 (applications accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time).

The Child Life Specialist reports to the Manager, Child Life Services and is accountable to the Professional Practice Lead for professional standards of practice and ethics. The role works collaboratively as a member of interdisciplinary care teams, striving to reduce the impact of stressful or traumatic life events on infants, children, youth, and families.

• Utilize the Child Life Assessment Intervention Plan to determine patient and family vulnerability and response to stress from their health care experience.
• Assess and support patients and families regarding coping strategies during stressful events, medical procedures, or changes in a family member’s medical condition.
• Collaborate with the health care team to develop and support patient goals and the child life plan of care.
• Initiate child life therapeutic interventions consequent to assessment to address social, emotional, and developmental needs.
• Evaluate interventions provided.
• Establish and maintain a supportive, helpful, and trusting relationship with patients, families, students, volunteers, and hospital administration.
• Advocate for individual patients/families’ concerns, special needs, and rights.
• Make appropriate referrals within the hospital and community.
• Represent Child Life on committees, rounds, conferences, and hospital and community initiatives.
• Examine the strengths and areas for improvement in child life service; complete administrative tasks such as workload measurement as required.

Monday to Friday (7.5 hour days) plus weekends.

• Eligibility for Child Life certification at the time of hire.
• Certification or successful child life internship experience supervised by a certified child life specialist.
• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of ten courses that meet child life certification requirements.
• Current certification by Child Life Council preferred; successful applicant must obtain child life certification within one year of employment.
• Demonstrated competence in Growth & Development, Functions of Play, Therapeutic Processes and Boundaries, Ethical Child Life Practice, Behaviour Management, Principles of Learning/Teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to provide non‑medical preparation and support for children undergoing tests, surgeries, medical procedures and transition to home or community programs.
• Demonstrated skill in working with children and youth with health or behavioural challenges.
• Effective decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Initiative to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Competency in other languages an asset;
  French preferred.

This position is a healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

We welcome all candidates who self‑identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and 2

SLGBTQIA+ to apply.

If invited to an assessment process, you have the right to request accommodation.