Certified Child Life Specialist in Radiology and Sedation Services and morning coverage in the Emergency Department. Provide developmental appropriate procedural preparation and support for various procedures.

Child Life Specialist in the Radiology department. Provide psychosocial and emotional support for pediatric patients, birth to 18 years of age, during imaging procedures. Provide procedural preparation, support and distraction for procedures including Upper GI scans, MRIs, CTs, VCUGs. Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to provide family centered care. Advocate for and communicate patient needs to the multidisciplinary team. Facilitate medical play, bedside therapeutic play, and oversee the playroom.

Provided psychosocial and emotional support for children birth to 18 years of age and their families in the hospital setting. Observed and independently provided these supports in several varying rotations - Surgical Unit, Pediatric Outpatient Procedural and Sedation Unit, Medical/Surgical Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, and provided support for children of adult patients. Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members in providing family centered care. Observed and independently provided support during medical procedures (including IV starts, MRI and CT, EEG, sutures, pre-surgery, etc.), procedural preparation, diagnosis education and bereavements. Facilitated medical play, bedside therapeutic play, and group play in the playroom. Gained experience with the planning, organization and execution of special events.

Provided developmental support to parents of children ages 0-3 through enhanced well child care visits and home visits, promoting healthy and optimal development while emphasizing prevention, supporting parents with developmentally-appropriate information for their children and connecting parents with appropriate community resources. The Healthy Steps Specialists strive to strengthen the relationship between UIC's Pediatric Residents and their patients by increasing the resident's awareness of developmental knowledge.

Observed and shadowed Certified Child Life Specialists throughout several rotations - infant/toddler, school-age, teen and the emergency department. Observed procedural preparation and support then reflected and analyzed observations using child development theories. Gained experience with designing therapeutic actives and engaging with patients in the playroom and bedside. Attended multidisciplinary meetings and observed the role Child Life plays within a patient's care team.

Facilitated the Pritzker Playspace, our space for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Provided developmentally appropriate, hands-on experiences for our youngest visitors including sensory, constructive, dramatic play among others. This space is ideal for allowing the children to navigate their interactions with peers and their caregivers in a safe and fun environment.

Worked alongside an Oncology Child Life Specialist supporting children of parents or family members impacted by cancer. Promoted socialization through support groups for bereaved children aged 6-12, teen group and helped with facilitating Kids Kamp at the end of the summer. Practiced implementing therapeutic activities into support group sessions and observed the Child Life Specialist's incorporation of child development theory into interactions with children and families.

Collaborated with and observed a Certified Child Life Specialist to gain experience with children of various developmental levels with complex medical needs in a transitional and respite home-like facility. Observations and reflections help to increase my knowledge of and proficiency with implementing developmentally appropriate activities. Supervised new and current recreational volunteers.

Provided exceptional child care while parents were at work. Facilitated learning opportunities throughout the day through exploration, play, and informal education practices. Promoted socialization through such informal education experiences in local museums and classes.

Provide exceptional service to our guests.