Child Life Specialist - Art Therapist - Child Life
Your Opportunity:
As part of the Therapeutic Arts Program (TAP), the Art Therapist will be responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of the art therapy program designed to meet the specific needs of patients and families. The Art Therapist will work with children on the inpatient units and outpatient clinics fostering a patient and family-centered care approach. The Art Therapist will function in accordance with the professional standards of practice of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. Coordinates art therapy services for designated pediatric units under the general direction of the Child Life (CL) Discipline Leader and under the supervision of the Child Life & Therapeutic Arts Manager. Key Responsibilities: Plans, organizes and implements art therapy sessions for individuals and groups. Utilizes art therapy techniques as a diagnostic and treatment tool. Provides guidance, support and supervision to art therapy students and volunteers. Provides in-service education to hospital staff, students and volunteers in the applied principles and practices of art therapy. Attends relevant staff meetings as required. Collaborates with members of the health care team, and communicates issues related to art therapy, by participating in psychosocial rounds, team meetings and case discussions. Documents and records/maintain relevant statistical information. Supports site-wide coverage (ACH) within the Child Life & Therapeutic Arts service delivery model. Other assigned duties as required. Provides guidance and supervision to CL and TAP volunteers as needed.
Description:
As a Child Life Specialist, you will plan, develop, implement, coordinate and evaluate developmental and normalization activities including therapeutic play programs in order to further the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of children and adolescents. You will assess, research, plan, implement and evaluate appropriate play and developmental activities/interventions for children and families (both individual and in group settings). You will provide therapeutic play programs designed to reduce stress, help clients cope with hospitalization, promote development and independence. You will help prepare children for diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures through hospital play, demonstrations and discussions and introduce coping strategies and techniques to assist children and families during procedures. You will also provide diversion experiences and facilitate special events.
- Classification: Child Life Specialist
- Union: HSAA Facility PROF/TECH
- Unit and Program: ACH Child Life & Therapeutic Arts Program
- Primary Location: Alberta Children's Hospital
- Location Details: As Per Location
- Multi-Site: Not Applicable
- FTE: 0.50
- Posting End Date: 04-AUG-2026
- Temporary Employee Class: Temp P/T Benefits
- Date Available: 07-SEP-2026
- Temporary End Date: 14-JAN-2028
- Hours per Shift: 7.75
- Length of Shift in weeks: 2
- Shifts per cycle: 5
- Shift Pattern: Days
- Days Off: As Per Rotation
- Minimum Salary: $40.81
- Maximum Salary: $54.34
- Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable
Completion of bachelor's degree in Child Life, Education, Psychology or other related field.
Additional Required Qualifications:Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts required. Master's Degree in Art Therapy or equivalent. Minimum of two years' experience working with children and adolescents in an acute care setting. Clinical experience as an Art Therapist with children of various special needs; competence preferred in reactions of children and families to hospitalization and illness. Experience facilitating groups. Registration or eligibility for registration with Professional Art Therapy Association.
Preferred Qualifications:Preference will be given to Member of the Canadian Art Therapy Association and/or Member of the American Art Therapy Association.
Please note:
All postings close at 23:59 MT of the posting end date indicated.
Security Screening:
A satisfactory criminal record check and/or Vulnerable Sector Search is required prior to your first day of work. Additionally, all employees have an ongoing duty to disclose any charges or convictions that may occur during their employment with AHS.
Healthy Albertans. Healthy
Communities. Together.
We’re passionate about what we do. Our team of skilled and dedicated health care professionals, support staff, and physicians promote wellness and provide health care all across Alberta.
Everything we do at AHS reflects a patient and family centred approach; it’s about putting patients’ and families’ experiences, priorities and trust first.
We are an equal opportunity employer. AHS values the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is committed to attracting, engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
