Job Description

Company : IWK Health

Req ID: 175990
Department/Program: Child Life Centrewide, Children\'s Surgical & Critical Care
Location: Halifax
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100% FTE) until x 1 position(s)
Start Date: ASAP
Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $32.3166 - $40.6057 /hour
Closing Date: March 11, 2024 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across . People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other\'s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our , and enjoy access to enhanced and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi\'kma\'ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi\'kmaq people. Working in Mi\'kma\'ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

Child Life Specialists strive to reduce the impact of stressful or traumatic life events and situations which effect the development, health and well being of infants, children, youth and families. Reporting to the Manager of Inpatient Surgical Care/Child Life Services, with professional accountability to the Professional Practice Leader/Coordinator, this role may include, but is not limited to the following responsibilities: establishing and maintaining a supportive, helpful and trusting relationship with patients and families, students, volunteers and the health centre staff; initiating child life therapeutic interventions to address psychosocial and developmental needs, with a specific focus on our CLTV program; collaborating with the health care team to develop and support patient goals and the child life plan of care, and evaluating interventions provided. The child life specialist advocates for individual patients/family\'s concerns, special needs and rights, makes appropriate referrals within the hospital and community; and examines the strengths and areas for improvement in child life service.

Hours of Work

Mon-Fri (0800-1600)

Your Qualifications

• Eligibility for child life certification, at the time of hire, is required.
• Current Certification by the Child Life Certifying Committee preferred; Successful applicant will be required to successfully obtain child life certification within one (1) year of employment as a child life specialist.
• Demonstrated competence in: Growth & Development, Functions of Play, Therapeutic Processes & Boundaries, Family Systems Theory, Play Theory, Ethical Child Life Practice, Behaviour Management, Principles of Learning/Teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to provide psychological preparation and support for children/youth undergoing stressful health care experiences and transitions such as to home or community programs.
• Demonstrated skill in working with children/youth with health or behavioural challenges.
• Demonstrated effective decision making abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated initiative to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Competency in other languages an asset; French preferred.

It is the responsibility of IWK employees to self identify as internal applicants. At the time of application submission, each applicant will be asked if they are a current IWK employee. Successful Applicants are required to provide a criminal record check (including Vulnerable Sector Search) to Human Resources before starting employment and assume any associated costs as a condition of employment. In addition, proof of applicable education and registration is required as a condition of employment. All application information submitted for this posting may be viewed by IWK Human Resources Employees, IWK Hiring Managers and/or their delegates. The information submitted will be retained in the Career Beacon database, and the IWK may also store and retain application information on secure computers, or within locked filing systems for up to 5 years.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.

Nova Scotia Health Authority