Certified Child Life Specialist

Job description

Certified Child Life Specialist

Nankind is a dedicated Canadian not-for-profit organization committed to supporting families impacted by parental cancer across Ontario. We offer a range of programs designed to provide emotional, practical, and social support to children and their families. Our key initiatives include in-home specialized childcare, where trained volunteers provide childcare and respite for parents with cancer; peer support programs, offering connection and understanding among children and parents s that equip families with coping strategies and information. Other programs include individual therapeutic Child Life Counseling, Teddy Bear Clinics, bereavement counseling for children, meal support program, homework club, and virtual support programs. Through these comprehensive services, Nankind aims to ease the burden of cancer on families, allowing them to focus on what matters most.

Certified Child Life Specialist

Report to: Director of Programs

Term Full-time - On site 4 days, work from home 1 day a week.

Scope To assess the needs of families in our program, to liaise with families and volunteers in supporting parents with cancer and their children throughout the cancer journey, to develop and implement program activities and plans to standardize the Nankind service delivery for families. To provide individual and therapeutic interactions and activities that offer emotional support to parents and children related to a cancer diagnosis.

Responsibilities: Key Deliverables

• Conduct initial intakes for families referred to Nankind cancer
• Provide parental consultations regarding their children
• Provide volunteers with CLS support throughout the course of service
• Create care plans- design, and supervise volunteer execution
• Provide individual CLS support to children when required
• Develop standardized program plans and activities
• Create 'coping Kits' for volunteers for each age group
• Assist in the design and implementation of program evaluation
• Contribute content for blogs, newsletters, social media, Facebook live
• Collaborate with volunteer specialist in matching process
• Support the outreach efforts with community partners to drive client awareness and registration
• Manage and supervise ECE or CYC students
• Build community partnerships
• Conduct Lunch and Learns, seminars, presentations to stakeholders and organizations
• Act as a mentor to program team in all matters related to program delivery
• Provide ongoing training for volunteers
• Provide program reports at the request of the Executive Director
• Deliver virtual and in-person peer support groups -Wonders and Worries
• Maintain Enginehire database with accuracy

The individual in this position enjoys working with children and their families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, has excellent verbal and written communications skills, is able to manage a variety of competing priorities, is creative and can think out of the box, can adapt to a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment, can manage the stress that comes with working with families dealing with life threatening illness, understands the complexities around working with volunteers, has access to a vehicle, is comfortable with in-home assessments and care.

 Competencies

Behaviour/Expectation

Building Relationships

• Ability to foster relationships & collaborate with others
• Solid interpersonal skills; displays empathy and builds trust with others
• Respectful of individual's wishes, beliefs and desires
• Respectful of the sensitive and confidential nature of the relationship

Awareness & Understanding

• Understanding of the unique needs of children and families, related to a cancer diagnosis of the mother
• Ability to set and manage expectations within a family dynamic
• Provide individual care and therapeutic interactions for the child, when appropriate

Productivity

• Establish and measure program targets, goals and objectives
• Demonstrate impact
• Ensure program excellence

Communication

• Active and effective listening
• Ability to employ and assess nonverbal communication
• Positive, empathetic and encouraging tone
• Communicate clear, concise messaging with regards to healthy service delivery boundaries, Ability to address groups of professionals

Organizing and Planning

• Ability to organize activities and create 'playbook' for volunteers for each age group
• Conduct initial assessment of family, determine needs and recommend programs

Supervision and Evaluation

• Provide support to volunteers throughout the course of service
• Provide input on volunteer performance and evaluation
• Assess the relationship between the volunteer and family and provide guidance when applicable

Integrity

• Represent NAN in a positive manner (uphold exemplary reputation)
• Strong work ethic
• 'Say and do'- deliver on expectations
• Provide service without judgement or bias

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent - Hybrid

Compensation: Negotiable with experience

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• Flexible schedule 35 hours/week

Education:

• Master's Degree

License/Certification:

• Have you obtained your Certification in Child Life? Required