Child Life Specialist, Child and Youth Therapeutic Services

BC Children’s Hospital

Vancouver, BC

 

 

You are a fun and approachable health care professional who bonds easily with children and their families, often under stressful circumstances. You provide a sense of calm and confidence, and are able to quickly assess a situation and have two or three potential approaches at the ready. Difficult circumstances don’t deter you, because you have a genuine desire to help and support with whatever it takes. From infants through to teens, you have an innate ability to lead with the right tone and build relationships based on care and trust.

 

 

What you’ll do

• Conduct screening and assessment of patients utilizing established standards and guidelines, identifies and obtains 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. Supports children, youth and caregivers throughout the challenges of hospitalization and illness by identifying and encouraging effective coping techniques, and provides 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. 

 

What you bring

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

 

You are able to:

• Assess and interact with patients and families applying theories of human development, family systems, and cultural diversity.
• Represent and communicate the role of child life to others.
• Organize and prioritize work.
• Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Work effectively with others.
• Demonstrate 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.
• Commit 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).
• Demonstrate 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.
• 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: Casual

Wage: $36.35 to $45.38 per hour
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: 0800-1600H

Requisition: # 150933

 

 

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.