Child Life Specialist Joins the Hematology Team

By: Katie Scarlett, CCLS

When the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center moves to the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care in October, I am excited that I am joining the Hematology team as a certified child life specialist.

I have been a child life specialist at Children’s Hospital for almost two years, supporting patients and families in Day Medicine and the Apheresis Program. I moved here in 2013 from Mississippi, where I received my degree in human development and family studies at Mississippi State University.

Some of you may have experience working with a child life specialist, but some of you may be wondering exactly what child life is and what it can provide to your child and family.

The field of child life is dedicated to addressing concerns that accompany healthcare experiences by promoting optimal child development and minimizing adverse effects. Child life specialists are specially trained professionals who have at least a bachelor’s degree and have completed a minimum of 480 hours of a supervised internship under a certified child life specialist.

Child life specialists offer many services that are uniquely tailored to a child’s developmental level, including diagnosis education, procedural preparation and coping support, therapeutic play, and medical play, so children become familiar with medical tools through hands-on exploration in a safe, positive environment.

I am very happy to be a part of the Hematology team and look forward to meeting you and your families in the coming months. If you feel you would benefit from any of the above services, please feel free to speak to a member of your medical team.