Child Life Specialist - Children's Care

Who We Are

For 150 years, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has been a leader in world-class care. As an acute tertiary and quaternary teaching hospital, LHSC provides leading-edge medical care to people from across western Ontario and beyond. LHSC is located just two hours from Toronto and two hours from Detroit in the city of London which is known for its beautiful and walkable downtown core located on the Thames River, a vibrant culinary scene and scores of activities that highlight local arts, culture and music. Our team of more than 17,000 physicians, staff, learners and volunteers works tirelessly to support patients as they navigate their unique health-care journeys. As one of Canada's largest acute-care teaching hospitals, LHSC is a renowned centre of innovation with a history of groundbreaking research that has influenced how people are cared for around the world. With nearly 1 million annual patient visits across University, Victoria and Children's Hospitals, LHSC provides compassionate leading-edge care and is proud of our strong regional, national and international partnerships. For more information, please visit www.lhsc.on.ca.

Posting Period

Open: November 4, 2026

Deadline: November 10, 2026

Non-Union

Department Name

Child Life Specialist - Children's Care

Prepared with a strong background in child development and family systems, Child Life Specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families and encourage optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Child Life Specialists also provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. They play a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress. Child Life Specialists function as a member of an assigned health care team or unit and practice according to the Child Life Code of Ethics, and Standards of Clinical Practice, as per the professional Association of Child Life Professionals.

Regular Part-Time

Hours of work: 22.50 hours per week - days, evenings, and weekends required

Rate of Pay: $49.27 per hour - $61.59 per hour

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Development, Child Psychology, Child and Family Studies, Social Work, Health Sciences or related fields as acceptable to Hospital
• Master's Degree preferred
• Current Child Life Certification, as required by the Association of Child Life Professionals
• Up to one (1) year recent related experience working with children, youth, and families in a health care environment
• Two (2) years recent related experience working with children, youth, and families in a health care environment preferred
• Must have experience working or internship with children and families, in the hospital, illness/injury, grief, or medical environment
• Demonstrates ability to assess and provide intervention to children and families applying theories of child development, play, family systems, trauma and diversity
• Displays emotional intelligence, with the ability to understand the feelings, concerns and needs to children, and their families
• Relays information in an individualized fashion, with the ability to assess ongoing, and adjust approach as required by the individual
• Ability to make decisions, and collaborate well with others to solve complex problems
• Demonstrated practice and commitment to the principles of patient and family centered care
• Demonstrated practice and commitment to patient and staff safety at LHSC
• Demonstrated practice and commitment to LHSC's vision, purpose and values
• Demonstrated ability to attend work on a regular basis

Has your experience been obtained through alternative pathways? LHSC acknowledges that skills, education and lived experience come in many forms and may have been developed differently from those listed in the job posting. Although LHSC has discretion in determining whether a candidate meets the qualifications and licensing requirements, we welcome applications from those with different experiences who may not meet every requirement listed. Tell us your story and apply today with your resume!

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
LHSC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants for a position.

Reason for Job Posting
Reason for Posting: Existing Vacancy

Teaching, Learning and Research
LHSC is proudly one of Canada's largest acute-care teaching and research hospitals. LHSC has an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning, with education agreements in collaboration with over 55 schools, hospitals, and community agencies from across Ontario, Canada and internationally; among our many education partners, our three regional partners are Western University, Fanshawe College, and Thames Valley District School Board. LHSC provides students with a place where they can learn and discover knowledge and skills to take them forward in their careers as health care professionals. Approximately 2,900 Nursing, Health and other students ranging from secondary school to university graduate level programs receive training at LHSC every year. As an employee of LHSC, you will be expected to engage in role-related teaching, professional development, and research activities in addition to standard position duties and responsibilities.

We are committed to providing a safe, healthy and inclusive work environment that inspires respect. LHSC is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from equity-denied groups including Indigenous people, racialized people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. LHSC is also committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. Upon individual request, we will endeavor to remove any barrier to the hiring process to reasonably accommodate candidates, including those with disabilities, while maintaining a fair, consistent and equitable recruitment approach. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview or selection processes, please contact Recruitment Services at 519-685-8500, extension #34321 or [email protected].

As part of the selection process applicants may be required to complete an examination or test. Please be advised that an internal reference check may be conducted as part of the selection process.

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Child Development, Child Psychology, Child and Family Studies, Social Work, Health Sciences or related fields as acceptable to Hospital
• Master's Degree preferred
• Current Child Life Certification, as required by the Association of Child Life Professionals
• Up to one (1) year recent related experience working with children, youth, and families in a health care environment
• Two (2) years recent related experience working with children, youth, and families in a health care environment preferred
• Must have experience working or internship with children and families, in the hospital, illness/injury, grief, or medical environment
• Demonstrates ability to assess and provide intervention to children and families applying theories of child development, play, family systems, trauma and diversity
• Displays emotional intelligence, with the ability to understand the feelings, concerns and needs to children, and their families
• Relays information in an individualized fashion, with the ability to assess ongoing, and adjust approach as required by the individual
• Ability to make decisions, and collaborate well with others to solve complex problems
• Demonstrated practice and commitment to the principles of patient and family centered care
• Demonstrated practice and commitment to patient and staff safety at LHSC
• Demonstrated practice and commitment to LHSC's vision, purpose and values
• Demonstrated ability to attend work on a regular basis

Has your experience been obtained through alternative pathways? LHSC acknowledges that skills, education and lived experience come in many forms and may have been developed differently from those listed in the job posting. Although LHSC has discretion in determining whether a candidate meets the qualifications and licensing requirements, we welcome applications from those with different experiences who may not meet every requirement listed. Tell us your story and apply today with your resume!

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

LHSC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants for a position.

Reason for Job Posting

Reason for Posting: Existing Vacancy

Immunization Requirements

Before beginning employment at LHSC, all new hires must provide documentation related to LHSC?s Health Review requirements. For more information and a detailed list of requirements, please visit Health Review Requirements | LHSC.

Teaching, Learning and Research

LHSC Centre is proudly one of Canada?s largest acute-care teaching and research hospitals. LHSC has an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning, with education agreements in collaboration with over 55 schools, hospitals, and community agencies from across Ontario, Canada and internationally; among our many education partners, our three regional partners are Western University, Fanshawe College, and Thames Valley District School Board. LHSC provides students with a place where they can learn and discover knowledge and skills to take them forward in their careers as health care professionals. Approximately 2,900 Nursing, Health and other students ranging from secondary school to university graduate level programs receive training at LHSC every year. As an employee of LHSC, you will be expected to engage in role-related teaching, professional development, and research activities in addition to standard position duties and responsibilities.

We are committed to providing a safe, healthy and inclusive work environment that inspires respect. LHSC is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from equity-denied groups including Indigenous people, racialized people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. LHSC is also committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. Upon individual request, we will endeavor to remove any barrier to the hiring process to reasonably accommodate candidates, including those with disabilities, while maintaining a fair, consistent and equitable recruitment approach. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview or selection processes, please contact Recruitment Services at 519-685-8500, extension #34321 or [email protected].

As part of the selection process applicants may be required to complete an examination or test. Please be advised that a reference check may be conducted as part of the selection process

Your interest in this opportunity is appreciated. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Successful candidates, as a condition of job offer, would be required to provide a satisfactory police information check (original document) completed in the last 6 months.

Please be advised, if you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit, we recommend reviewing permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. As per the Government of Canada, LHSC is considered a hospital/healthcare organization, even if an employee is functioning in a non-patient facing role. Individuals on a work or study permit seeking employment in this sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process, including but not limited to a medical exam, which may also apply to employees looking to renew their work or study permits. It is the employee?s accountability to ensure they are adhering to their specific permit restrictions, and we encourage all candidates and LHSC employees to be proactive and review restrictions as soon as possible as it could be a lengthy process.