Experience

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  Children's hospital of eastern north carolina

  Apr 1991 - Jun 1994

  Ctrs, child life specialist

  Acting as an advocate for children and their families, I designed, implemented and evaluated individual and group programs adhering to the Standards of Clinical Practice and the competencies of the Child Life Specialist as specified by the Child Life Council (CLC) and the job task and knowledge areas of the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist specified by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), utilizing principles of Child Development, Psychology, Therapeutic Recreation and related disciplines in order to promote optimum development of children, adolescents and families, to maintain normal living patterns and to minimize psychological trauma. Provided opportunities for gaining a sense of: mastery, play, learning, self-esteem, self-expression, family involvement and peer interaction. Focus on program development, supervision of volunteers, graduate students and Child Life Assistants. Provided education and teaching as guest lecturer at East Carolina University. Show less

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  New medico rehabilitation center

  Sept 1991 - Dec 1991

  Therapeutic recreation intern

  Completed a 16 week Therapeutic Recreation Internship with pediatric through adult TBI patients on the skilled nursing unit, pediatrics, behavioral unit and transitional unit at New Medico Rehabilitation Center. Under the supervision of a CTRS I provided assessment, treatment planning, treatment, leisure education, recreation participation, and community outings.

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  Children's hospital of wisconsin

  May 1994 - Aug 1994

  Child life intern

  Completed a 12 week Child Life Internship on the Hematology/Oncology/Transplant Unit (HOT) and the Pediatric Intensive Care and Step Down Units and NICU. Under Certified Child Life Specialists' I provided assessment, treatment planning, procedural preparation and support, coping and distraction for procedures, bedside interactions, group playroom sessions, family and sibling support, bereavement support, bereavement support groups and documentation. Involved with special events and planned and facilitated a summer carnival for patients. Show less

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  Belmont nursing and rehab center, madison, wi

  Jun 1994 - Apr 1995

  Recreation therapy director

  Responsible for Directing Recreation Therapy Services at a sub acute nursing and rehab center. Administrative responsibility and accountability for the management and direction of the operational, personnel and financial activities of the department.

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  Marshfield children's-marshfield medical center and marshfield clinic health systems

  Apr 1995 - now

  Manager, child life & expressive therapies
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  Ministry health care-ministry saint joseph's children's hospital

  Apr 1995 - now

  Manager, child life services

  As the Child Life Manager at Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital (MSJCH) and Marshfield Clinic Children's I have administrative responsibility and accountability for the management and direction of the operational, personnel and financial activities of the Child Life, Music Therapy and Kohl's Care's Programs. These functions are performed in accordance with MSJCH and Marshfield Clinic Children’s philosophy, policies, procedures, and standards. Child Life standards of clinical practice and the job tasks and knowledge areas of the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist specified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification govern all activities. The Child Life Manager functions in both clinical and management roles. Clinically, the Manager oversees the various types of therapeutic and psychosocial programming, aimed at reducing the negative effects of hospitalization.Uses an interdisciplinary approach to assess and offer appropriate interventions, also serving as a role model and educator on the practices of Child Life to child life staff, nursing, medical staff, students and volunteers.Acting as an advocate for children and families, the Manager directs and manages the planning, implementation, and evaluation of services to all children receiving care on the Marshfield Campus. Provides consultation to all disciplines regarding specific patients and educates staff about psychosocial, emotional, and developmental needs of children and adolescents. Oversees bereavement services. Serves as a resource on the emotional/psychosocial needs of children, offering expert advice to others through active involvement on committees, individual and group consultation. External contact and collaboration necessary includes various professionals across MSJCH, Marshfield Clinic, faculty and staff, university faculty, various universities who contract for education of child life interns, and community agencies for ongoing consultation and program development. Show less