Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health·Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Child Life Specialist works within interdisciplinary teams to reduce the impact of stressful medical experiences on children and families. Responsibilities include assessing patient needs, providing therapeutic interventions, and advocating for the psychosocial and developmental well-being of patients.
Click here to apply as an internal applicant.
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 Nova Scotia.
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 values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits 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 Reporting to the Manager, Child Life Services, with accountability to the Professional Practice Lead for issues pertaining to professional standards of practice and ethics, the Child Life Specialist will work collaboratively as a member of interdisciplinary care teams.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. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: utilizing the Child Life Assessment Intervention Plan to determine the patient and family’s vulnerability and response to stress from their health care experience; assessing and supporting patients and/or families regarding coping strategies during stressful events, medical procedures or changes in a family members medical condition; collaborating with the health care team to develop and support patient goals and the child life plan of care; initiating child life therapeutic interventions consequent to assessment to address their social, emotional and developmental needs; evaluating interventions provided; establishing and maintaining a supportive, helpful and trusting relationship with patients and families, students, volunteers and the health centre’s administration. The child life specialist acts as an advocate for individual patients’/family’s’ concerns, special needs and rights, makes appropriate referrals within the hospital and community; represents Child Life on committees, rounds, conferences and hospital and community initiatives where there is concern for the psychosocial, emotional and developmental needs of children, youth and families; examines the strengths and areas for improvement in child life service; completing administrative tasks (i.e. Workload Measurement) as required.Hours of Work Monday to Friday (7.5 hour days) + WeekendsYour Qualifications
Eligibility for Child Life certification at the time of hire is required.
Certification or successful child life internship experience supervised by a certified child life specialist required.
Bachelor's degree with a minimum of ten (10) courses that meet child life certification requirements is required.
Current Certification by Child Life Council 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 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, 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.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 internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with specific coursework and be eligible for or possess Child Life certification. Demonstrated competence in child development, therapeutic processes, and the ability to support children through medical procedures is required.
Market context
Child Life Specialist roles in Nova Scotia are often tied to pediatric care settings where demand follows the need for staff who can help children cope with illness, procedures, and hospitalization. These positions are competitive because employers look for a bachelor’s degree, relevant coursework, and Child Life certification or eligibility, along with proven skill in child development and therapeutic support. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your coursework and certification status before applying.