Starting Out

I'm training to become a certified child life specialist (CCLS). Child life specialists are professionals trained to address the psychosocial needs of children and families in healthcare settings. Basically, child life specialists help to explain illness, procedures, and other aspects of the hospital experience in age-appropriate ways. Child life specialists also provide play and social experiences for children of all ages in the hospital, and provide support for their siblings and families. I follow many wonderful health care blogs, but have not found any written by child life staff. Hence the beginning of this blog.
I have just finished a master's degree and am currently working toward professional certification. I am currently an intern at a children's hospital where I will train full time for several months. After that I have to pass the certification exam given by the Child Life Council (professional organization and certifying body) and apply for jobs. I will be posting a little about my training experiences and issues relevant to the child life profession. But mainly I will be posting about activities, resources, and materials for use with children in the hospital. Out of deep respect for the children and families I will be helping in the hospital I will not be publishing patient stories. Any mention of children or patients will be fiction based on my experience working with many children.