Child Life Specialist?? (degree, reputation, job, careers)

[Spazkat9696]

I have over 10 hospitals with ERs local to me, but I will always choose the children's hospital for my child. That just so happens to be the one with the child life specilist. I'm sure other local hospitals have them too. Quite frankly I really could care less how much the CLS gets paid, and my bill did not reflect her visit. I can tell you every, doctor, surgeon and specialist that came in billed us though. The fact is the CLS took what was a very traumatic experience and made it less scary. As a parent I can tell you on that day the CLS was worth a million dollars to me.

As for the more useful careers I guess mine would be ridiculous to you~Speech Language Pathology.

[broadanon]

I am sure other local hospitals in your area have a few child life specialists also, and this is EXACTLY the problem. They have to keep atleast a few in hand to 'COMPETE' with the one you are taking your child too. If you don't know, one of the fundamental property of life is that Bulls#@t creates more Bulls#@t. Like I mentioned before there's no reason why volunteers who can prevent someone from committing suicide for example, OR EVEN YOU can't do the same things such as 'Distraction' for free that these so called 'professionals' do.

You said you could care less how much CLS get paid. However this is exactly the 'I don't care' attitude that causes problems since people don't accept social responsiblity due to lack of awareness of the world they are living in. Ignorance is NOT bliss! Will you care when the entire healthcare system crashes along with medicare, medicaid and your child has to deal with the consequeces of a shattered health care system in the future? Or when we invade other countries for oil to support our excessively wasteful lifestyle and rediculously useless careers?

Regarding your career of a Speech Language Pathology, I will honestly say I don't know and can't judge. I haven't seen one in action so I so refuse to and can't make any judgements.

I WILL tell you based on what I have seen from working the Child Life Specialists, Sales Managers, and others in different professions from that these are completely useless and an excessive marketing driven product of greedy capitalism gone bad (most people don't realize that there are good AND BAD things about capitalism. The good is that it allows for freedom and creativity. The bad is that it allows people to become too fat, consume, become lazy, and promote a culture of pretentiousness and greediness.)

More than likely if you are on this forum reading these posts, then you are already probably considering this type of profession as your future and considering to take the Child Life Council Certification Exam. Here's another link for you, Frequently Asked Questions

Under the question 'Why certify Dog Trainers,' it says "Establishing a credentialing program enhances the reputation of a profession." This is exactly the reason why this so called 'Council' of Child life people have created this rediculous certification exam. Because they want to glorify what they do more, and make some money off it while at the same time.

The Certification Exam for this profession is nothing but a means to try and make this rediculous profession more legit and respectable, even though it really adds no value and is something that any volunteer can and does do for free.

[CTKel]

Broadanon, did you join this forum ONLY to debate this thread? Is that what brought you here?

Again, I'm sorry you seem to have problems with the child life specialists you've worked with, but the experience you have described is NOT typical, and I don't see how you interacting with the CLSes at one hospital can paint a picture of what the field is truly like.

You seem determined to insult and undermine this field. I am not going to argue point by point with you anymore. Your rant is filled with opinion and no fact, seems very angry, and demonstrates your lack of understanding of the field and children's hospitals in general. Hopefully, you will never find yourself in the position of needing health care for a seriously ill child.

If anyone is truly interested in this field, please do your own research and do not take what this person has said as fact, because it is not.

[misswillow]

I've done some research on a few other sites about Child Life Specialists, and this poster seems to be on all of them, saying the same things. It's like he/she has a vendetta against the profession. Very weird.

CTKel, I think it sounds like a wonderful job that can make so much of a difference in a child's life. I have a BA in Psychology and a MEd in Early Childhood Education, but haven't worked in either field for years. Do you know how I could get more info on possible internship opportunities?

[Calilady]

I think it would be cool if they considered Mom and Grama child life specialists, if we are successful. I sure do not need any more intervention between my child, doctor, and myself. When my son was in children's hospital I was treated like a third-party interference. We did not have cls then.
However, so many children are living in incredibly bad situations and need intervention, hope this type of profession will make a difference for them and not be used to place a block between families and children, or to lessen the power of parental rights for decent parents as is happening more frequently now.

[hamsibian]

Yeah, I have been looking up the Child Life profession for a while now, and I have seen this user (who seems to be the only one truly against this profession) on another site. He/she basically copied and pasted the same argument, so there is no use arguing - he/she just needs to find a better way to spend time.

Anyways, I am really interested in this job, and I graduate in December. I have done internships within the University, but I am hoping to volunteer at a hospital in the Child Life area. I am wondering if I do find a place to volunteer, assuming that I would be good at it, would the application process be easier (i.e. would that particular hospital that I volunteered in be more likely to accept me for an internship)?

[Forever Blue]

I looked into it at one time. I applied to the grad program of a local private university & got accepted. I even went to observe at the children's ward of a local hospital.

So, you're basically helping kids cope w/ their medical issues & help make their lengthy stays in the hospitals more pleasant, such as if they have cancer. All you see is sadness, so if you have the type of personality to do a rather depressing career, then great.

I remember when I observed, they did a spinal tap on this one little girl. I watched them do it right there, but at the end, I had this faint feeling come over me as if I was going to pass out. I honestly have NEVER ever had a feeling like that come over me in my life. Not that that had anything to do w/ it, but I decided not to go that route because I want something more optimistic & happy. I have no idea how the job market is for thie field.

[broadanon]

OK, honestly I can't describe any more clearly these FACTS to you guys than I already have. I have to agree with CTKel, do your own research and figure out for yourselves if this profession is what you want to do.

And if you guys think I am the only one criticizing and questioning this type of profession, here's more links for you,

Useless wankers at the hospital [Archive] - Student Doctor Network Forums

Response: Occupational therapy is not a frivolous displacement activity | Comment is free | The Guardian

Whudda W.A.S.T.E.: pointless worthless useless majors! part 1

Do research on the internet and you will find more people saying the same thing. You will also notice these 'specialists' and others like them defending and trying to lynch anyone like myself or others that speak any truth, however negative about these types of professions.

Funny quote in the last link by the way, "psychology is basically the major for people who have serious mental problems and who want to learn to self diagnose. Colleges is now so easy to get into that total psychotic breakdown isn't really reason for you not to graduate on the dean's list." I will let you read the rest for yourself.

I am only posting these facts to raise awareness in people's minds on how healthcare is becoming a big money driven business in this country and a way to keep the economy going. However professions like these are not going to last very long. Explosive population growth, worse immigration, less resources, and increased global competition from countries like China and India are going to make things worse here in America.

Anyways, you don't have to take my word for it. If you REALLY want to go this route, go for it!

Just wait a few more years to join the line and collect unemployment checks from the already overburdened system like others in these fields, and then blame immigrants or Obama for our collective laziness.

[CTKel]

CTKel, I think it sounds like a wonderful job that can make so much of a difference in a child's life. I have a BA in Psychology and a MEd in Early Childhood Education, but haven't worked in either field for years. Do you know how I could get more info on possible internship opportunities?

Misswillow- sorry it took so long to respond! You should check out www.childlife.org for internship information. With your degrees, you probably have the necessary coursework. There is an internship section on the Child Life Council website. I don't think it lists internships, but will give you ideas on how to find them. Also, check the websites of your local hospitals (children's and general.) Many hospitals put that info in the child life section of their websites.

Best of luck to you!

[CTKel]

I am wondering if I do find a place to volunteer, assuming that I would be good at it, would the application process be easier (i.e. would that particular hospital that I volunteered in be more likely to accept me for an internship)?

Hamsibian-

I know that at my hospital, volunteering with us before applying asbolutely makes a difference! Our current intern and previous intern both volunteered with us prior to applying, and two of our current child life specialists were originally volunteers, then interns here.

Good luck with everything!