Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Julie Merkin

Warren,NJ

Summary

Child Life Intern seeking a job as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Extensive experience in providing quality care to children of all ages. Skilled in creating age-appropriate activities to encourage physical, emotional, and social development. Enjoys developing positive relationships with children and families to help enable healthy coping strategies.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Child Life Intern

Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital
09.2023 - 12.2023
  • Assist Child Life Specialist in Child Life Programming in various units including, General Pediatric Unit, Adolescent Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hematology/Oncology Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, and Family Teaching Program/Same Day Surgery
  • Recognize and respond to psychosocial needs of hospitalized children and their families to normalize environment
  • Communicate respectfully with families by remaining sensitive to cultures, values, and needs.
  • Facilitate age-appropriate play and activities to support skill-building needs for positive growth and development
  • Provide opportunities for education for patients and families through medical play
  • Attend interdisciplinary rounds and functioned as part of a team
  • Provide procedural support and distraction to patients during medical procedures

RECREATION THERAPY/CHILD LIFE ASSISTANT

CHILDREN'S SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL LONG TERM CARE
10.2021 - Current
  • Plan and implement recreational activities/opportunities for variety of ages and abilities to assist with alleviating effects of hospitalization and improving quality of life
  • Assist with designated care and follow implemented behavior plans
  • Identify and make recommendations for supplies needed to meet needs of children
  • Demonstrate knowledge of developmental stage and diagnosis and apply it in daily practice
  • Communicate effectively with patients, families, and other staff
  • Assess and evaluate overall patient level of functioning to determine appropriate activities and adaptations
  • Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team
  • Maintain safe environment for patient care activities

CHILD LIFE PRACTICUM

VIRTUAL & CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL INPATIENT
09.2022 - 12.2022
  • Shadowed CCLS' in range of settings to gain insight and exposure to child life profession on how to incorporate therapeutic activities into successful coping strategies and educational opportunities into medical and psychosocial support
  • Developed assessment skills during virtual play interactions and utilized knowledge of developmentally appropriate play to create virtual activities to provide children with therapeutic and normative play opportunities

CHILD LIFE VOLUNTEER

CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL INPATIENT
06.2022 - 08.2023
  • Engage with children birth to 21 years of age
  • Assist patients in finding preferred activities
  • Participate in activities with children, including games and crafts

LEAD AFTERCARE INSTRUCTOR

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT
06.2019 - 08.2020
  • Communicated directly with parents regarding daily student progress and provided recommendations for home learning
  • Organized activities and implemented age-appropriate curriculum
  • Engaged children in play throughout day
  • Supervised and monitored safety of infants and toddlers during school hours and aftercare
  • Prepared and organized mealtimes and snacks
  • Helped children maintain adequate hygiene and assisted with toileting
  • Maintained clean, safe, and fun environment

CAMP COUNSELOR

CAMP HARMONY
06.2009 - 08.2016
  • Exhibited leadership and acted as positive role model for children ages two through six years of age
  • Supported children throughout day as they followed daily schedule and participated in age-appropriate activities
  • Established key relationships with children
  • Facilitated team-building activities

Child Caregiver

09.2011 - Current
  • Care for children between ages of six months and sixteen years
  • Ensure timely attendance of children to and from recreational activities
  • Engage children in activities and ensure their safety through direct supervision
  • Assist children with homework
  • Prepare and give meals and snacks

Education

Master of Arts - Child Life

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA
12.2023

Child Life Professional Certificate -

University of California Santa Barbara Extension
Santa Barbara, CA
03.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Communication

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
08.2019

Skills

  • Communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Active listening
  • Organization
  • Leadership
  • Compassion
  • Knowledge of child development and medical terminology

Timeline

Child Life Intern

Bristol Myers Squibb Children's Hospital
09.2023 - 12.2023

CHILD LIFE PRACTICUM

VIRTUAL & CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL INPATIENT
09.2022 - 12.2022

CHILD LIFE VOLUNTEER

CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL INPATIENT
06.2022 - 08.2023

RECREATION THERAPY/CHILD LIFE ASSISTANT

CHILDREN'S SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL LONG TERM CARE
10.2021 - Current

LEAD AFTERCARE INSTRUCTOR

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT
06.2019 - 08.2020

Child Caregiver

09.2011 - Current

CAMP COUNSELOR

CAMP HARMONY
06.2009 - 08.2016

Master of Arts - Child Life

Eastern Washington University

Child Life Professional Certificate -

University of California Santa Barbara Extension

Bachelor of Arts - Communication

Rutgers University

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Julie Merkin