Child Life Specialist - Women and Children's Health

​Req ID: 218020
Location: Eastern Zone, Cape Breton Regional Hospital  
Department: OPEZ W&C Pediatrics CBR
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1 
UNIFOR Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 27-Mar-26

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our beautiful province. We believe there's a place here for everyone to call home, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance that comes with a Nova Scotia Health role means you'll have the time to explore, discover, and participate in that coveted Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us today and check out www.novascotia.com to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

About the Opportunity

The scope of a Child Life Specialist (CLS) involves supporting children and families facing illness, trauma, or hospitalization by reducing stress and promoting coping through developmentally appropriate education, play, and emotional support, helping them understand medical experiences, build resilience, and maintain normalcy using techniques like distraction, preparation for procedures, behavioral plans, and legacy-making, working collaboratively within healthcare teams in diverse settings from NICU to oncology.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Bachelor degree in any field, with 10 college level courses completed in child life or related department/subject 
• Certification or successful child life internship experience supervised by a certified child life specialist 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
• Approximately 4 months (equivalent to 600 hours clinical internship) pervious work experience is required 
• Demonstrated competence in: Growth & Development, Functions of Play, Therapeutic Processes and Boundaries, Ethical Child Life Practice, Behaviour Management, Principles of Learning/Teaching. 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.
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Permanent full-time position; 75 hours biweekly 

• Shifts may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays

Compensation and Benefits

$ 34.80 - $ 44.39 Hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan. 

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

​This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Employees are encouraged to view their seniority hours and dates in their SuccessFactors online profile. 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.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.