Website Operation Smile
Setting: Clinical and Mobile
Role: Our child life volunteers are licensed professionals that provide psychosocial care and guide the patient and family through the surgical experience. They utilize their knowledge of child development to ease patient fears and anxieties by explaining and demonstrating every aspect of care. They facilitate therapeutic play and activities, work with parents, and act as the child’s and family’s advocate in the potentially confusing world of the hospital.
Time Commitment: 12 to 15 days
When: Ongoing
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Requirements: Hold a degree in child life, child development, psychology or a closely related field; and hold certification in child life or an equivalent disciplinary credential. Clinically competent in the provision of developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions based on stress vulnerability assessment, teaching, emotional support, and the provision of patient and family-centered care. Minimum two years of full-time paid CLS experience preparing children & families for surgery. Ability to educate counterparts about psychosocial care.
Cost: Partially self-funded, partially org-funded. There is a $ 500 CAD team fee for those who have been on fewer than 25 missions. This helps to cover the cost of breakfasts, lunches, and accommodation while on the mission. Operation Smile covers the cost of flights.
For more information visit Operation Smile
