Kathleen Stein
Madison,CT
Summary
Skilled Certified Child Life Specialist with extensive experience at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, adept in psychosocial assessment and electronic medical documentation. Demonstrated success in enhancing patient and family experience through advocacy and effective communication techniques. Proven track record in improving healthcare experiences for children and families, showcasing a blend of compassionate support, knowledge of health system policies and administrative acumen.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Child Life Specialist, Clinic/OR
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
05.2015 - Current
- Provided community resources and education to families to increase knowledge and advocacy skills.
- Communicated respectfully and thoughtfully with families and patients by remaining sensitive to different families' cultures, values and needs.
- Responded to patient concerns and questions with compassionate and knowledgeable service.
- Worked effectively with staff from all departments to coordinate resolutions.
- Educated patients and families on healthcare options and support resources.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to facilitate high-quality comprehensive care.
- Facilitated communication between patients and various departments and staff.
- Assisted patients in navigating complex healthcare systems and procedures to reduce emotional strain.
- Facilitated communication between patients, families and healthcare providers to support comprehension.
- Applied administrative knowledge and courtesy to explain procedures and services to patients.
- Educated patients and families using developmentally appropriate materials and information regarding healthcare experiences.
- Prepared and supported patients through invasive procedures to minimize psychological trauma.
- Documented assessments and interventions in patients' electronic medical records.
- Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children with special needs and developmental delays.
Certified Child Life Specialist- Heme/Onc Infusion
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
04.2014 - 05.2015
- Documented assessments and interventions in patients' electronic medical records.
- Provided community/hospital resources and education to families to increase knowledge and advocacy skills.
- Educated patients and families using developmentally appropriate materials and information regarding healthcare experiences.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to achieve patient care goals.
- Provided psychosocial and emotional support to patients and families to help cope with diagnosis, illness and hospitalization.
- Prepared and supported patients through invasive procedures to minimize psychological trauma.
- Prepared children for success on return to the classroom setting by providing educational presentations to their teachers and classmates.
Child Life Disaster Relief Local Program Manager
Child Life Disaster Relief
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Identify Child Life Specialists in the community to engage in community outreach and education with local agencies on the unique needs of children impacted by disaster.
- Empowering, equipping and educating the communities that we live and work in to help them better support children after disasters.
- Mitigate the effects of traumatic events on children and families through individualized direct services, community outreach, education, and research,
- Coordinate and respond in the immediate and direct aftermath of disasters and traumatic experiences within your local community
Certified Child Life Specialist, Pedi ED
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
09.1994 - 11.2011
- Worked alongside the medical team to provide support to patients during the trauma exam and process.
- Advocated for patient and family needs in the acute setting
- Assisted in non-pharmacological pain control techniques, and encouraged family presence and involvement at the bedside
- Provided age-appropriate explanations of what patients can expect using pictures, medical equipment and anesthesia masks, in cases when emergent surgery was needed.
- Communicated with the multidisciplinary team to relay or interpret concerns, fears, or questions that the patient/family may have
- Promoted cognitive and social-emotional development through individualized play activities.
- Provided developmentally appropriate education and language to patients, siblings and families when coping with difficult experiences like trauma, grief and loss.
REACH OUT AND READ PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Trained and evaluated Pediatric Residents in using anticipatory guidance with families to encourage the positive influence of reading to children aged six months through five years
- Trained, supervised and evaluated volunteer readers to engage children and model positive reading habits to familie
- Developed Reach Out and Read Literacy Workshop concept that addresses family literacy
- Maintained and updated project related documents.
- Monitored program performance to identify areas for improvement.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
Wheelock College
Boston05-1994
Affiliations
- Association of Child Life Professionals, Patient Experience Committee
- Association of Child Life Professionals, Professional Mentor
Certification
- Certified Child Life Specialist, Association of Child Life Professionals - November 2020-December 2025
- BLS, American Heart Association - exp. May 2025
- CPR, Red Cross- exp. May 2025
- Reiki, level 1
Timeline
Certified Child Life Specialist, Clinic/OR
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
05.2015 - Current
Certified Child Life Specialist- Heme/Onc Infusion
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
04.2014 - 05.2015
Child Life Disaster Relief Local Program Manager
Child Life Disaster Relief
01.2009 - 01.2015
REACH OUT AND READ PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
01.1999 - 01.2004
Certified Child Life Specialist, Pedi ED
Yale New Haven Children's Hospital
09.1994 - 11.2011
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
Wheelock College
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