Child Life Specialist, Child and Youth Therapeutic Services - BC Children’s Hospital

Child Life Specialist, Child and Youth Therapeutic Services

BC Children’s Hospital

Vancouver, BC

The Child Life Specialist reports operationally to the Director, Professional Practice and the designated Program Leader and professionally under the practice supervision of the Practice Leader, Child Life. The role provides activities that further the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of children and youth. The Child Life Specialist functions as a member of Child & Youth Therapeutic Services and as a member of an assigned health care team and in accordance with the professional standards of practice of the Association of Child Life Professionals.

What you’ll do

• Conduct screening and assessment of patients utilizing established standards and guidelines, identify and obtain data relevant to child life including child/family goals of care.
• Develop and implement care plans incorporating individual patient needs e.g. cultural, religious, learning, social, and economic factors. Support children, youth and caregivers throughout the challenges of hospitalization and illness by identifying and encouraging effective coping techniques, and provide recommendations to the health care team.
• Provide preparation, alternate focus, and coping skills coaching for patients undergoing medical procedures and providing psychosocial support to minimize stress and anxiety during hospitalization
• Plan, initiate, and supervise activities that foster continued growth and development in children and youth, including therapeutic and medical play opportunities that promote development and adaptation to the hospital environment and their health care condition.
• Monitor patients to determine if the plan is meeting the established goals.
• Document assessments, care plans, recommendations and interventions at each stage of care according to established format, policy, timelines and legal requirements in the health care record and/or via reports. Complete and maintain appropriate records for activities including workload statistics as required.
• Access and leverage technology (including laptops, tablets and handheld devices), applicable software and related applications as required to provide support to children, youth and families.
• Collaborate with members of the health care team and communicates child life issues of pediatric health care by participating in psychosocial rounds, team meetings, and case discussions.
• Maintain the playroom environment, toys, equipment and supplies used in the program to ensure patient safety and to meet departmental standards. Maintain a child-friendly environment within designated area.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the department/program in the development, preparation, and implementation of orientation programs and education information.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in an area related to Child Development with required coursework for child life certification.
• Meets the eligibility requirements to write the Child Life Certification Examination

You will also have

• Assess and interact with patients and families and apply theories of human development, family systems, and cultural diversity.
• Represent and communicate the role of child life to others.
• Manage computer applications, gaming systems, television apps and other technology
• Comprehensive knowledge of organization policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Working knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in patient care.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, and to deal effectively with co-workers, physicians, other health care professionals, patients and their families, and external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated skill and ability to operate related equipment and techniques appropriate to clinical areas.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized patient care information system.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (until January 9, 2026)
Wage: $37.89 - $47.31/hour

Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC,
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 0630-1430
Requisition # 164069E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.

BCCH is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose. Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCCH are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of April 29^th, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.