Certified Child Life Specialist

Nankind
CA - Ontario - Ontario
May 24, 2025

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

Read the full job description and apply online on the recuiter's web-site

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