Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists at Valley Presbyterian Hospital reduce stress and
anxiety for pediatric patients by normalizing their hospital experience.
To promote normalcy, they provide preparation for treatments, education,
distraction, play, coping tools, and many other benefits for patients,
and also provide support and information for their families.
Child life specialists are certified professionals educated in child development, and trained in the best ways to help children cope in the hospital environment. They have attained either a bachelor's or master's degree and are certified by the Association of Child Life Professionals, which is the national governing body of the child life profession.
Our child life specialists work in the pediatric unit, pediatric intensive care unit, and NICU, and also receive consults from same day surgery, the emergency department, radiology and other areas that pediatric patients can be found in the hospital. The child life specialists can also provide school re-entry visits to assist children and teens in returning to the classroom after a new diagnosis or physically-altering injury.
Child Life Services
- Bedside interventions
- Behavior management
- Bereavement and end of life support
- Developmentally appropriate preparation
- Diversional activities
- Family, parent, and sibling support
- Facilitating coping skills
- Holiday and special celebrations
- New diagnosis education
- Procedural support and accompaniment
- School reintegration
- Therapeutic activities
- Volunteer opportunities / Donate Toys
To speak to a child life specialist, please call 818.902.7923.
For Students
Internship, Practicum, and Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in an internship opportunity, contact us at the number above. Please note only established affiliations will be accepted for practicum or internship. For volunteer opportunities, please visit our Volunteer page.
