Child Life Wild Life Jessica Lewin, CCLS

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kat Attermeier, about utilizing pain management tools through her work in the radiology department. 

Today, Kat finds herself at home in the radiology department, a place where she once felt intimidated. She has grown to embrace the pace and challenges that come with building quick rapport with patients. Kat educates many staff on atraumatic care, child life principles like how to use play, and pain management. She has a unique perspective on leadership skills and the importance of dialogue between staff, nursing leadership, and doctors in training. 

We also dive deep into the critical subject of pain management in pediatrics. Kat gives us permission to ask the "Why?" questions to better gather data, gain confidence when educating others, and fully understand the benefits of what we advocate so hard for as a child life specialists. 

Come and learn about the pros and cons of numbing creams, cold sprays, and the J-Tip injection. We discuss how to introduce these tools effectively to children and how to ensure a more positive experience, with less pain and more understanding. Her insights and experiences point to the wildness of the profession, where no two experiences are alike, and the need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in child life and pain management in pediatrics.

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Meredith Murray, about how her lifelong magnetism towards babies led her to a career in the NICU. 

Meredith shares her journey, from finding her calling in the challenging environment of the NICU, to becoming an essential support system for families and their newborns in critical care.

We take an in-depth look at the nuances of working in the NICU, and Meredith shines a light on the strategies she uses to support babies effectively - like containment, positive touch, positioning and sound control - to reduce overstimulation. But there's more than just hands-on baby care. We also discuss the administrative complexities of the NICU and skills and traits important to hone when working in this routine yet ever-changing environment.

Meredith shares her dreams of expanding into maternal fetal medicine. Whether it's managing donations, mentoring interns, or forming deep connections with families, Meredith’s experiences are filled with inspiring moments. 

Join us on this emotional ride with Meredith Murray, and get moved by her passion and dedication to the NICU.

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Caitlyn Morton, about what her experience has been like as a one-person program (and also an independent contractor!)

Reflecting on her experiences as a former patient, Caitlyn delves into how she had to differentiate her experiences from her patients' and the pivotal role her mentors played in navigating this change. Caitlyn also brings her perspective of operating a one-person program. Not only does she manage patient care, but she also handles donations and various other admin tasks, emphasizing the critical importance of time management and prioritization.

Get ready to be inspired as Caitlyn generously dishes out success tips for anyone considering a career in child life. She speaks candidly about her journey to becoming a child life specialist and the confidence she has garnered through her experiences. 

Caitlyn's story is particularly compelling as she has not only lived with a chronic condition, but she also shares her interaction with a child life specialist in her past, shaping her perspective and approach in her career. Tune in for this enlightening conversation!

You can follow Caitlyn on Instagram as @caitlynhope11 OR @copeandhopechildlife
Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Samantha Krawiec, about what her experience transitioning from teacher to child life specialist.
From managing a classroom to navigating the hospital environment, Samantha's journey from a burnt-out kindergarten and third-grade teacher to a fulfilled child life specialist is sure to inspire you.

Samantha shares her experiences, describing a typical day in her new role, where she works in two distinct units (ED and Psychiatric Unit) in a hospital lacking a child life department. She touches on the parallels between teaching and child life, demonstrating how her teaching skills have become invaluable assets in her current profession. 

Samantha encourages those contemplating a career in child life to take the leap and trust the process. She explains how the most profound part of her journey isn't the change in career, but the deep connections she has forged with her patients. You'll discover through Samantha's journey the power of perseverance and the joy of landing your dream job. Tune in for an episode brimming with resilience, determination, and invaluable life lessons.

You can follow Samantha on Instagram as @sammmy_cakes
Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and  CCLS, Andrea Lerude, about her experience being a "service line" child life specialist and all that her role entails. 

Andrea fosters open communication with her colleagues, juggles patient care, and maneuvers the delicate art of cold calling patient's families in an effort to advocate for child life preparation and support.

Providing continuity of care in various neuro clinics, including neurosurgery, physical medicine, and rehabilitation, Andrea deals with a wide array of patient conditions. She assesses the daily clinic schedule, offers critical handoff information to child life specialists in the inpatient unit, and supports her teammates in various ways. We'll also delve into the intricate process involved in procedure clinics for EMGs, Botox injections, and other tests.

Andrea highlights the importance of camaraderie over competition and leaves us with some action steps to consider when contemplating a service line role. Her story and insights will leave you more informed about the crucial role child life specialists play in bridging the gap in patient care. Tune in for this inspiring conversation.

Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with friend and CCLS, Madeha Ayub for a conversation surrounding advocacy and empathy. 

Madeha is a strong advocate for the special needs and autistic communities with her dual credentials as an Emergency Department Certified Child Life Specialist and Pediatric Occupational Therapist.

Join us as we unravel the critical aspects of working with special needs children, and the importance of understanding their preferred communication styles. Madeha emphasizes the importance of creating a calming environment, and interestingly, it's more about what you take out than what you add in. 

The conversation then shifts gears towards understanding neurodiversity and why we should celebrate individual differences, not just accept them. Her perspective on neurodiversity urges us to reevaluate what we think we know about autism.

Tune in for an episode that combines professional insights, personal experiences and a refreshing perspective on special needs and autistic communities.

You can follow Madeha on Instagram as @seedsforspecialneeds.

Tik Tok/Instagram Influencers with Autism:
@kaelynn_vp
@fidgets.and.fries
Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa