Professional Practice Lead Child Life

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

Job summary

A prominent health service provider in Edmonton is seeking a Recreation Therapy Professional Practice Lead to advance the professional practice of recreation therapy in pediatric care. The role includes leading quality improvement initiatives, supporting clinicians, and facilitating program development within the Child Life Program. Candidates should have at least 5 years of clinical experience and hold relevant certifications. This position offers a comprehensive benefit package and the chance to make a lasting impact in pediatric psychosocial care.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years clinical experience in related area.
• Active registration as a professional member with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association.
• Certified Child Life Specialist - Completion of Child Life Professional Certification Exam (CCLS).

Responsibilities

• Advance professional practice for the discipline to support patient and family centered care.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and program development.
• Provide direct support to pediatric clinicians and operational managers.

Skills

Clinical experience

Leadership experience

Presentation skills

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy

Master’s degree in Child Life

Job description

Your Opportunity

The Professional Practice Lead (PPL) within the Child Life Program at the Stollery Children’s Hospital advances professional practice for the discipline to support excellence in patient and family centered care. This position acts to align planning and policy development, service delivery and evaluation for pediatric psychosocial care. The PPL acts a key resource for staff, programs, and local leadership for evidence‑based practice, professional standards and ethics, and legislated requirements for the profession. The PPL fosters networks and coalitions in order to achieve goals and priorities in professional practice. This position will work with the Manager to lead quality improvement initiatives, program development, evaluation, and knowledge translation based on patient, population, services sector and/or zone needs. The PPL will provide direct support to pediatric clinicians, and discipline specific professional expertise to operational managers.

Description

As a Recreation Therapy Professional Practice Lead (PPL) you will advance professional practice for the discipline to support excellence in patient and family centred care. You will act as a key discipline professional practice support and resource for staff, programs and leadership in the zone or service sector for evidence-based practice, professional standards, ethics and legislative requirements. As the recreation therapy professional practice lead you will lead quality improvement, program development, evaluation and knowledge translation related to zone, service sector, staff and patient needs. You may represent the service sector or zone on provincial advisories, working groups, councils and initiatives. The Recreation Therapy PPL provides discipline expertise to clinicians, operational managers and directors to meet needs related to emerging trends, scope of practice, staff mix, service models and outcome targets.

Classification

• Classification: Recreation Therapist III
• 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: 08-JAN-2026
• Temporary End Date: 28-DEC-2026
• 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: $46.02
• Maximum Salary: $61.14
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation and Leisure Studies. Minimum 5 years clinical experience in related area. Active registration as a professional member with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Additional Required Qualifications

Degree or master’s degree in child Life, Education, Psychology or another related field allied health eligible profession. Certified Child Life Specialist - Completion of Child Life Professional Certification Exam (CCLS). Minimum 5 years clinical experience in an Acute Care/Tertiary level pediatric hospital. Demonstrated leadership experience in strategic planning, leading change and evaluation. Eligible to oversee Child Life Internship (Minimum 8000 hours holding CCLS credential).

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Child Life. Strong skills in presentation and ability to speak to large groups of people. Clear demonstration of mentorship and guidance for professional development with all professions within Child Life Service.