Child Life Specialist

Requisition ID: 399588 Position Number: 20009054 Posting End Date: March 30, 2026 City: Winnipeg Employer: Shared Health Site: Health Sciences Centre Department / Unit: Child Life Job Stream: Clinical Union: MAHCP Anticipated Start Date: 04/20/2026 FTE: 1.00 Anticipated Shift: Days;Evenings;Weekends Work Arrangement: In Person Daily Hours Worked: 7.75 Annual Base Hours: 2015 Salary: $37.557, $38.988, $40.467, $42.004, $43.600, $45.255 Shared Health leads the planning and coordinates the integration of patient-centered clinical and preventive health services across Manitoba. The organization also delivers some province-wide health services and supports centralized administrative and business functions for Manitoba health organizations. Position Overview Under the general direction of the Manager, the Child Life Specialist is responsible for:

• Assessing response to hospitalization and illness.
• Facilitating coping with healthcare experiences.
• Supporting continued growth and development of the child while hospitalized through group and individual programming.
• Providing psychological preparation for medical procedures and treatments; providing education about specific diseases in age appropriate language; advocating for children/families’ psychosocial needs.
• Educating multidisciplinary team members about the developmental and emotional impact of hospitalization and stress on children; and supervising Child Life interns, students and volunteers.
• The Child Life Specialist conducts themselves in a professional manner, adhering to the principles of Family Centered Care.

Experience

• Previous Child Life experience working in a healthcare setting required.
• Competence in the following areas is required: growth and development, play and family dynamics, interventions to support coping, interpersonal communication skills, observation and assessment skills in reactions of children and families to hospitalization and illness and a basic understanding of children’s illnesses.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Bachelor’s level degree or entry-to-practice academic credential in a related field with course work in Child Life, Child Psychology, Child/Adolescent Development, Child and Family Social Sciences, or Education.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Certified Child Life Specialist required; must be eligible for certification with Child Life Council.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training requirements for this position shall be in accordance with the Employer policy.

Qualifications And Skills

• Preference will be given to those applicants competent in an Indigenous language and/or knowledge in Indigenous customs, traditions and values.
• Medical Terminology - Incumbent is responsible for acquiring appropriate knowledge of terms, disease entities, medical/surgical procedures, tests and protocols specific to their programming.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

Physical Requirements

• Physical demands may include crouching, stretching, kneeling, outdoor (playdeck) activities and lifting and holding children as well as pushing and pulling wheelchairs and beds.
• Must be able to work with children from infants to teens.

We have a unique ability to work together to make health care better. If you want to make a difference and contribute to supporting the health of your family, friends and neighbours, please apply today. Interested candidates should select the "Apply" icon below to upload their cover letter, resume and copy of licenses/certification. This position requires a current satisfactory Criminal Records Check (including Vulnerable Sector Search), Child Abuse Registry Check and Adult Abuse Registry Check as conditions of employment. The successful candidate will be responsible for any service charges incurred. A security check is considered current if it was obtained no more than six (6) months prior to the start of employment. Please note that an employee is not permitted to hold two or more positions in Shared Health that combine to equal more than 1.0 FTE. Shared Health values and supports employment equity and workplace diversity and encourages all qualified individuals to apply. We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request during the assessment and selection process. Manitoba healthcare employers, in partnership with the Indigenous community, are committed to increasing the representation of Indigenous People within all levels of our workforce. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply and to voluntarily self-identify as being of Indigenous descent in their cover letter/application.