Job Description

Compensation Pay Range:

$38.57-$47.34

Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub.

To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.

Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

The child life specialist will provide opportunities for therapeutic and leisure play, promote optimum development of children and youth, and help patients and families adjust to and understand health care experiences. As part of the inter-professional team, the child life specialist will prepare and support children and youth during medical tests and procedures in the Emergency Department.

This position may involve evening and weekend hours.

• Assess the psychosocial needs of patients and families using theories of human growth and development and family systems.
• Assess patient’s development level, temperament and coping style and provide a variety of play and therapeutic activities which promote self-expression, understanding, and mastery of medical experiences.
• Plan group processes while incorporating individual therapeutic goals to match patient needs.
• In collaboration with the inter-professional team, develop individual treatment plans in accordance with prognosis, limitations, disease process, nature of illness, and available social supports.
• Organize and prepare activity areas to promote therapeutic activities taking into consideration a variety of mobility needs and a wide age span.
• Use developmentally appropriate medical teaching tools to prepare patients, siblings, and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Provide emotional support during intensified stress points and utilize stress reduction techniques to facilitate adaptive coping.
• Leads the development, planning, organization and implementation of child life special events, celebrations, and groups. Liaises and communicate with other team members
• Supervise volunteers working within the programs.
• Participates in education and improvement activities.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Baccalaureate in Child Life, Child and Family Studies, Therapeutic Recreation or related field (Essential)
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a pediatric health care setting (Essential)
• Current Child Life Certification (CCLS) through Child Life Council (Essential)
• Police Record Check (PRC) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (English/French) (Preferred)
  

Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs

*Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Please note that this position will be based out of Ottawa. Please note that location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon passing the pre-screening. Pre-screening might include testing.

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.