Child Life Specialist

Alberta Health Services; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Canada seeks a Child Life Specialist responsible for planning and implementing developmental and therapeutic play programs for children and adolescents. The candidate will assess and evaluate play interventions to promote emotional and physical growth while preparing children for medical procedures. The role requires a bachelor's degree in a related field and certification as a Child Life Specialist, along with acute pediatric care experience.

Qualifications

• Completion of a bachelor's degree in Child Life, Education, Psychology or related field.
• Certified Child Life Specialist - completion of Certification Exam.
• Acute Care Pediatric experience essential.
• Prior experience with children aged 0-17 is required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate developmental activities for children.
• Provide therapeutic play programs to reduce stress.
• Help prepare children for medical procedures through play and discussion.
• Facilitate special events for children and families.

Skills

Therapeutic play programs

Child development assessment

Coping strategies

Group settings facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Education, or Psychology

Job description

As a Child Life Specialist, you will plan, develop, implement, coordinate and evaluate developmental and normalization activities including therapeutic play programs in order to further the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of children and adolescents. You will assess, research, plan, implement and evaluate appropriate play and developmental activities/interventions for children and families (both individual and in group settings). You will provide therapeutic play programs designed to reduce stress, help clients cope with hospitalization, promote development and independence. You will help prepare children for diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures through hospital play, demonstrations and discussions and introduce coping strategies and techniques to assist children and families during procedures. You will also provide diversion experiences and facilitate special events.

• Classification: Child Life Specialist
• Union: HSAA Facility PROF/TECH
• Unit and Program: Child Life Program
• Primary Location: Stollery Children's Hospital
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Multi-Site: Not Applicable
• FTE: 1.00
• Posting End Date: 29-DEC-2025
• Temporary Employee Class: Temp F/T Benefits
• Date Available: 02-FEB-2026
• Temporary End Date: 02-FEB-2027
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: 2
• Shifts per cycle: 10
• Shift Pattern: Days Evenings
• Days Off: Saturday/Sunday
• Minimum Salary: $39.62
• Maximum Salary: $52.76
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

Required Qualifications

Completion of bachelor's degree in Child Life, Education, Psychology or other related field.

Additional Required Qualifications

Certified Child Life Specialist - Completion of Child Life Professional Certification Exam. Acute Care Pediatric experience. Prior experience working with children and adolescents (0-17 years old).

Preferred Qualifications

As required.