1. Caitlin McNamara, MS, CCLS II, CIMI
712 Hayes Street · San Francisco, CA 94102 · 847.833.7396 · Caitmac4@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE
My goal is to utilize my wealth of clinical experience to thrive within a hospital setting and allow me to build upon
my child life skills and best serve patients and families. I strive to expand my skill set with new opportunities and I
am committed to exceeding expectations individually and within a team environment.
EDUCATION
Erikson Institute - Chicago, IL May 2011
Master of Science in Child Development with Child Life Specialization
University of Illinois at Chicago - Chicago, IL Dec. 2008
Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Applied Psychology
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Certified Child Life Specialist II Aug. 2011 - Present
University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Children’s Hospital
• Utilize child development knowledge to assess appropriate psycho-social interventions and facilitate
positive coping skills for children ages birth-21 years old in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU);
including preparation, procedural support, medical/therapeutic play, sibling preparation/support, an end-of-
life legacy making
• Provide cross coverage support in various settings - Oncology, Cardiology, Radiology, Emergency Room
• Advocate for patients and empower caregivers to play a supportive role for their child during
hospitalizations; such as, infant massage
• Facilitate therapeutic programming while supervising volunteers and special visitors
• Establish and maintain professional relationships within the interdisciplinary team
• Engage in professional development sessions with the Child Life team (i.e. local thought leaders
interaction, webinars, and current case study discussions)
• Collaborated with the entire medical center to provide developmentally appropriate insight into design and
functionality of the new free standing children’s hospital: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco
Youth Advisory Council Coordinator Jun. 2013 - Present
University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Children’s Hospital
• Facilitate the first ever Youth Advisory Council (YAC) that encourages partnerships between patients/
siblings and the medical team to optimize family centered care
• Empower youth involvement in their care as well as provide mentoring support to other patients
Teen Parent Educator and Home Visitor May 2011 - Aug. 2011
SGA Youth and Family Services, Chicago IL
• Conducted group sessions within the school environment to educate teen parents on topics; including
healthy nutrition, safe environments, and childcare options
• Facilitated bonding opportunities for parents and children within the community
• Provided resources for parents to assist with social needs; including education, employment, insurance
• Empowered parents by modeling developmentally appropriate activities and providing positive feedback
Child Life Assistant May 2010 - Oct. 2010
University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
• Lead developmental play sessions with patients
• Supervised volunteers
• Implemented new systems that allowed specialists easier and more efficient access to child life tools
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital Aug. 2010 - Apr. 2011
• Collaborated with the Child Life team to increase the quality of the hospital experience for children ages
birth to 18 years old and their families
• Developed communication skills through electronic charting (Epic)
• Implemented child development knowledge while on inpatient (pediatric intensive care unit/burn unit,
general pediatrics) and outpatient (specialty pediatrics, surgery, and radiology) rotations

2. • Initiated relationships with a multiple disciplinary team; including doctors, nurses, and social workers
PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE
The Rehabilitation Hospital of Chicago (RIC) Aug. 2008 - Jan. 2009
• Volunteered on the Pediatric’s floor with children ages birth-18 years old and assisted the Physical and
Occupational Therapists with daily therapies
• Collaborated within a diverse matrix to facilitate normalizing activities for typically and atypically
developing children as well as provided tools and resources to fulfill their expectations
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Oct. 2009 - May 2010
• Volunteered in the Brown's Family Life Center playroom with children ages 4-11 years, providing social
and emotional support for children, caregivers, and siblings
• Coordinated and adapted experiences for children to practice and build upon developmental abilities
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago - Psychiatric Department Oct. 2009 - Dec. 2009
• Volunteered as an assistant team leader in a behavioral group of boys ages 9-12 years
• Established bonds of trust and created structured activities with the intent to enhance the group’s personal
life skills and behavioral responses
Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services (SACIS) Oct. 2006 - May 2007
• Certified sexual assault and rape advocate
• Offered support and resources via phone and hospital visits for rape and sexual assault victims
CERTIFICATIONS
• Certified Child Life Specialist II
• Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) – International Loving Touch Foundation
• Mandated Reporter
References available upon request Caitlin McNamara