Anthony E. Smith
Salt Lake City
Summary
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) with extensive experience supporting children across the developmental spectrum in pediatric settings. Dedicated to alleviating emotional trauma and enhancing coping strategies. Proven expertise as an adjunct faculty instructor, delivering comprehensive courses on child development, psychosocial care, therapeutic play interventions, and the psychological aspects of healthcare for children. Committed to fostering therapeutic relationships and creating healing environments while integrating research and best practices in child life. Passionate about empowering children and families through effective emotional support and preparation for medical experiences.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Child Life Specialist
Primary Children's Hospital – Intermountain Healthcare
03.2009 - Current
- -Created and implemented a new child life position within the IV team for 3 years
- -Resolved conflict between child life and IV team
- -Built relationships of trust with IV team staff
- -Conducted semi-annual grief groups for siblings of patients who died
- -Participated on the Employee Engagement committee for the child life department
- -Supervised multiple child life interns
- -Oversaw Youth Advisory Council
- -Member of “Sib’s Day” committee which includes group work with siblings of patients.
- -Collaborated with University of Utah on a Research project measuring the efficacy of child life work
- -Asked by supervisor to return to Neuroscience Trauma Unit to strengthen child life services and rebuild positive interdisciplinary relationships
Adjunct faculty
University of Utah – Department of Family and Consumer Studies
08.2005 - Current
- -In addition to classes listed below developed and taught 2 new courses:
- FCS 5964 - Introduction to Child Life
- FCS 5310 – Child Life Foundations
Adjunct Instructor
University of Utah
01.2000 - Current
- -Teach FCS 5311 & 5312 – Childhood Health Care I & II
Certified Child Life Specialist
Intermountain Healthcare
12.1995 - 12.2022
- -Child life program development specific to the Neuroscience Trauma Unit.
- -Developed and maintained positive interdisciplinary relationships. Participate on various teams/committees involved with CQI and program development (i.e. Hospital-wide new employee orientation, Family Support Services integration task force, interiors committee, volunteer coordination, pain services, inpatient rehab team, psycho-social team, magnet champion)
- -Conducted clinical psychosocial assessment of and develop treatment plan for patients/families
- -Coordinated efforts to provide grief support in tandem with Social workers, to patients and families who lost loved ones in traumatic circumstances (most often motor vehicle crashes)
- -Recruitment, training, supervision and retention of interns, volunteers, and child life assistants.
- -Child life internship coordinator. Manage efforts of multiple intern supervisors and interns. Conduct interviews, evaluations and implement placement of interns at various sites. Perform continuous quality improvement of intern program and coordination between placement sites.
- -Department Visa account manager. Direct, monitor, budget and record use of account funds for various departmental purchases. Rectify monthly account statement.
Interim Director (1 year) and Director of Child Life Services
Intermountain Healthcare
06.2006 - 03.2009
- Assumed all responsibilities of the former director including:
- -Budget management
- -Recruiting, Hiring and training of new employees
- -Volunteer program development
- Recreated the whole volunteer program increasing volunteers from 200 to 800
- Create Volunteer job descriptions pertinent to the Child Life Department within PCMC.
- Recruit, interview, train, supervise and retain volunteers
- -Staff supervision
- -Family Support Services leadership role
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary team to enhance patient care
- -Interdisciplinary team correlation
- -Customer service/Public Relations
- Dealt directly with upset families to resolve concerns
DUI Instructor
Salt Lake County Alcohol Counseling and Education Center
08.1995 - 12.1995
- -Facilitate group instruction and interaction
- -Openness. Effective communication skills
- -Learn new material in a short amount of time
Education
No Degree - Human Dynamics Training
IHC University
03.2004
Leadership Training
IHC University
03.2003
Master’s of Public Administration - undefined
Brigham Young University
01.2001
B.A. - Psychology
University of Utah
01.1994
B.S. - Family and Consumer Studies
University of Utah
01.1994
Skills
- Therapeutic listening skills coupled with conflict management skills
- Leadership skills & team building experience
- Management/supervision background
- Education in CQI/TQM, team dynamics, human dynamics and process management
- Employee/volunteer recruitment, hiring, training and supervision experience
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Analytical/problem solving skills
- Excellent presentation skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Experience in budget management
Affiliations
- ACLP
- 1995 to present
- Publications Committee
- Quarterly Literature Reviews, Create/Update/Edit Job Descriptions
Certification
Certified Child Life Specialist 1996 to 2029
Languages
Japanese
Professional Working
Timeline
Certified Child Life Specialist
Primary Children's Hospital – Intermountain Healthcare
03.2009 - Current
Interim Director (1 year) and Director of Child Life Services
Intermountain Healthcare
06.2006 - 03.2009
Adjunct faculty
University of Utah – Department of Family and Consumer Studies
08.2005 - Current
Adjunct Instructor
University of Utah
01.2000 - Current
Certified Child Life Specialist
Intermountain Healthcare
12.1995 - 12.2022
DUI Instructor
Salt Lake County Alcohol Counseling and Education Center
08.1995 - 12.1995
Leadership Training
IHC University
Master’s of Public Administration - undefined
Brigham Young University
B.A. - Psychology
University of Utah
B.S. - Family and Consumer Studies
University of Utah
No Degree - Human Dynamics Training
IHC University