Summary

The primary responsibility of this position is to promote social, cognitive and developmental activities, promote both physical and emotional health and thereby minimize the potential stress and trauma children and their families may experience as a result of the abuse

Description

Reporting to the Manager of Victim Services, The Child Life Specialist may work directly with children as they wait for their respective team and design the programs and activities during this period which foster a family centered approach to practice. The Child Life Specialist will complete a Child Life Introduction before a Forensic interview using developmentally appropriate language. As well as offer preparation, distraction, and relaxation techniques to children and youth before and during medical examinations. The Child Life Specialist may also provide caregiver support through psychoeducation and other appropriate resources. 

 

 Duties and Responsibilities:  

  • Prepare children and families using age appropriate explanations to inform and orient them for their experience at the CAC 

  • Design and provide innovative, responsive and effective programs and activities within a Child Life Framework 

  • Liaise, partner and collaborate in a professional, proactive and engaging manner with a multidisciplinary team of partner organizations to provide optimal wrap around care 

  • Engage children in therapeutic play opportunities to promote optimal development, self- expression and a sense of normalcy and control 

  • Meet with children and youth before a medical exam or forensic interview to explain the step by step process 

  • Teach distraction and relaxation techniques to children and youth during medical exams 

  • Plan and rehearse coping strategies with children and youth to help reduce anxiety and enhance cooperation 

  • Provide education, advocacy and resources to families and team members of the Police, Alberta Health and Children’s Services on normative child development 

  • Educate others about expected reactions and responses to the experience by using child development and family systems theories and principles of psychosocial care 

  • Collect, design and maintain relevant statistics and data for decision making 

  • Work with child space volunteers and PALS volunteers within the Child Space 

  • Ensure the overall effectiveness and functioning of the Child Life program and Child Space with various tasks including: 

    • Identifying requirements and replenishing Child Life supplies (toys and equipment) 
    • Rotating and cleaning toys and laundering 
    • Tidying the Child Space as needed 
    • Stocking and organizing the gift room and resource nook 
    • Support the learning of students in the Child Life profession which could include orientation, supervision and evaluation of a Child Life Practicum student 

 Education, Qualifications and Skills Required:
 Education & Experience 

All Certified Child Life Specialists are skilled professionals who have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with an educational emphasis on child development, education, or a related field of study. They have also successfully completed a supervised clinical internship and passed a standardized certification exam. Once certified, Child Life Specialists must adhere to a code of ethics and standards and participate in ongoing professional development. 

Qualifications and Skills 

  • Child Life Certification or eligible (as defined by the Child Life Council) 

  • Minimum 2 years working in a pediatric setting, working with children and families. Experience with working with children with special needs is preferred. 

  • Demonstrated experience in supporting children in difficult life experiences 

  • Experience working with kids who have experienced trauma would be considered an asset 

  • Experience working in a Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) environment 

ABOUT LUNA 

The Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (formerly the Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre) is recognized as a centre of excellence in child abuse intervention and prevention. Luna’s multi- disciplinary team of experts from health, children’s services, law enforcement, justice, and victim services work together from one location to help young people and their families throughout the disclosure, investigation, and judicial process, and along all phases of their healing journey. This collaborative model surrounds young people and their families with the specialized supports they need and leverages shared expertise to build engaged communities where everyone plays a role in keeping children and youth safe. www.lunacentre.ca 

 

At Luna, our commitment to diversity is our promise to each other and the individuals and communities we serve. We believe in the inherent benefits of an inclusive and diverse organization that recognizes, embraces, and values all forms of diversity. We strive to remove barriers to inclusion in all aspects of our organization and service delivery, so that we may support, strengthen, benefit from, and contribute to the richness and complexity that is our community.