Sandra Sternberg, M.Ed., CCLS, CPE

Experience

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  Harris County Hospital District - Ben Taub General Hospital

  Feb 1987 - Nov 1990

  Director, Child Life Program

  Guided all aspects of program within this acute care facility and elite Level I trauma center which included leading daily clinical operations; human resource management; strategic planning; financial management; improving quality, safety and the patient and family experience; education and regulatory compliance; community and public relations. Oversaw the Child Life Fellowship Program in conjunction with Baylor College of Medicine.

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  Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

  Dec 1990 - Oct 1995

  Director, Child Life Services & Supervisor, Volunteers for Children (VFC) Program

  Directed the overall Child Life program and offered clinical guidance to staff, serving pediatric patients and their families in inpatient and outpatient settings throughout the hospital by facilitating positive patient coping strategies through preparation and support for medical procedures. Assisted families in dealing with grief and loss through bereavement interventions and the creation of legacy items. Increased awareness and understanding of the medical environment with diagnosis education and resources. Advocated for preparation, diagnosis education, and procedural support as integral components to coping positively with hospitalization and illness. Afforded patients and their siblings opportunities for developmentally appropriate play and socialization. Ensured all Child Life staff, students, and volunteers provided a comforting, safe environment for hospitalized children and their families. Show less

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  University of La Verne

  Sept 1992 - Sept 1996

  Course Lecturer, Child Development/Child Life, Department of Education

  Provided educational lectures for child development/child life classes, including Medical Terminology and The Effects of Illness and Hospitalization on Childhood.

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  ChildrenFirst, Inc

  Oct 1995 - Sept 1996

  Administrative Director, Corporate Backup Child Care Center

  Directed an employer-sponsored childcare center intended for working parents needing care as a backup in case of an emergency or for children on school vacation. The Center provided age-appropriate, developmentally sound care for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age, meeting all local, state and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) requirements for a consortium of businesses in the Downtown Los Angeles area.

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  Medical City Dallas Hospital, Inc.

  Oct 1996 - Jun 2000

  Coordinator, Child Life Services & Volunteers in Pediatrics (VIP) Program

  Responsibilities included oversight of the daily operations of the Child Life program, offering quality patient and family-centered care, and minimizing the trauma of illness and hospitalization. Built and established positive relationships with staff, the multidisciplinary team, donors, and the community to support the hospital's children, adolescents, and their families. Managed multiple projects while maintaining exceptional customer service, using strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.Managed the Volunteers in Pediatrics (VIP) program, selecting, orienting, training, and supervising volunteers and volunteer programs within the Medical Center. Show less

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  Journey of Hope Grief Support Center

  Jul 2000 - Apr 2001

  Executive Director

  Collaborated with the Board of Directors to fulfill the organization's mission to renew hope, foster healing, and develop resilience in the hearts of children grieving the loss of a loved one, using core values of compassion, respect and empathy. Oversaw the administration and strategic plan of the organization including program development, fundraising, marketing, and community outreach.

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  Cedars-Sinai

  Dec 2001 - now

  Supervisor, Child Life Services & Certified Child Life Specialist, Pediatrics/PICU/CCICU

  Leads and mentors a diverse and dynamic team to function using the most recent standards from the Association of Child Life Professionals. Is responsible for the supervision, professional development, mentoring, and evaluation of staff members. Manages department operations and clinical area programs, projects, and initiatives.Functions as a clinical child life specialist by providing psychosocially and developmentally based assessment and support to infants, children, youth, and their families to improve the patient experience (IPE) and catalyze effective change within Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s and the Medical Center.Plans and provides emotionally and developmentally appropriate health education and therapeutic play experiences to promote effective coping with health care experiences and continued cognitive and emotional growth. Enhances the quality of patient care through participation, documentation, and communication with other healthcare team members. Teaches and supervises child life volunteers and students.Serves as an expert clinical leader, advocate, and educator on child/adolescent development topics and patient adjustment to and coping with diagnosis and treatment.Supports the associate director and leadership team in work related to departmental operations. Show less

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  California State University, Northridge

  Jan 2010 - now

  Guest Lecturer and Speaker, Department of Child and Adolescent Development

  I guest lecture for Professional Pathways and Careers in Child and Adolescent Development, sharing my expertise as a certified child life specialist with students interested in working with children, youth, and their families to broaden their career horizons.

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  Eastern Washington University

  Apr 2023 - now

  Guest Lecturer, Department of Children's Studies

  I am a guest lecturer for Child Life Community Virtual Practicum students. I discuss various topics and practical tips for working with hospitalized children, youth, and their families.

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  Child Life United

  Jan 2024 - now

  Clinical Supervisor - Virtual Practicum Winter/Spring Cohort

  As a clinical supervisor, I offer education, guidance, and support for individuals interested in pursuing a career in child life. Through experiential learning, child life practicum students begin to increase their foundational knowledge of basic child life skills related to developmental assessment, play, preparation, and integration of child life theory into interventions with infants, children, youth, and families. Through these experiences, child life practicum students will have opportunities to investigate the process of applying child life and developmental theory in practical terms. Show less

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  California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

  Jul 2024 - now

  Faculty Lecturer

  Department of Child and Adolescent Development