Windsor Regional Hospital Paediatrics

Transcription

1 Windsor Regional Hospital Paediatrics Volunteer Orientation Manual Child Life Services x Revised: July 2006 Windsor Regional Hospital 1

2 Child Life Services Volunteer Manual Welcome Child Life Services The Role of the Child Life Specialist The Role of Child Life Volunteers Privacy and Confidentiality Playroom Rules & Guidelines Dear Volunteer: 2

3 Thank you for choosing to volunteer with Child Life Services at Windsor Regional Hospital! We look forward to working together to help care for our many paediatric patients and families. Windsor Regional Hospital and Child Life Services depend on the support of dedicated volunteers so that we can continue to provide programs and services that meet the needs of infants, children, youth and families. We hope that you enjoy your volunteer experience! Sincerely, The Child Life Team 3

4 Child Life Services In September 2005 the new Paediatric Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital was opened. With the new unit, a Child Life program was created. This program consists of a team of child life specialists and art and music therapists. Child Life Services strives to meet the following goals at Windsor Regional Hospital: 1. To assess coping responses and needs of children and families to healthcare experiences 2. To minimize stress and anxiety for the child 3. To prepare children and families for healthcare experiences & increase overall understanding of and comfort with surroundings and events 4. To provide essential life experiences 5. To create opportunities which strengthen self-esteem and independence 6. To communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team 4

5 The Role of the Child Life Specialist As a member of the health care team, the primary role of the child life specialist is to: a) provide play experiences; b) present developmentally appropriate information about events and procedures; and c) establish therapeutic relationships with children and parents to support family involvement in each child s care. Child life specialists strive to promote optimal development and minimize the adverse effects of children s experiences in a hospital setting. At Windsor Regional Hospital, child life specialists provide services to children from birth to 18 years of age in both inpatient and outpatient settings. These services include: Developmental assessment Preparation for health care experiences Education about the health care setting and experiences Therapeutic play and activities Medical play opportunities Support for procedures Family/sibling support Supervised play/activity programs Special events/guests Advocacy for infants, children, youth and families 5

6 The Role of Child Life Volunteers Child life volunteers help to create a family-friendly environment and allow us to carry out many different programs on the paediatric unit. Volunteers help to maintain quality programs for our patient population. Child life volunteers are an important asset to our program as they help to: Normalize the environment with play opportunities Encourage normal growth and development Reduce stress and anxiety Provide a sense of control and adjustment to the environment Support patients, families and staff Ensure a safe, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate atmosphere Give patients and families an opportunity to express emotions As a volunteer on the paediatric unit, you will supervised by the child life staff. Volunteers assist child life staff in providing developmentally appropriate activities and programs. There are many tasks which also need to be completed in order to provide a safe and clean environment. These do not always involve direct patient interaction, but they are an important part of delivering quality paediatric services. These tasks include: Cleaning toys Organizing playrooms and family lounges Decorating patient areas Creating craft kits and special activities for the day Preparing for holidays and special events There will also be times when volunteers will need to work independently and use their own initiative while working in the playroom. The child life specialists are responsible for both inpatient and outpatient areas on the paediatric unit. There should always be at least one volunteer in the playroom to supervise patients of all ages. Volunteers will be needed at times for bedside activities, but at the discretion of the supervising child life specialist. We encourage ongoing communication between the child life staff and the volunteers. Please feel free to discuss any concerns, questions or issues with the staff so that we can ensure a positive and enjoyable learning experience! 6

7 Absences As you will soon see, we rely on our volunteers for many things so it is important that you follow through on your commitment and arrive on time for your shift. We understand that things come up sometimes at the last minute - but we appreciate it if you are able to give us as much notice as possible if you are unable to come in. Either speak to one of the staff, or call ex and leave a message to let us know if you will be absent from your shift. *Please note: If you fail to tell us/phone in about your absence 3 shifts in a row, you will be asked to speak with Renee in Volunteer Services to discuss your schedule and see if there is perhaps a better time for you to volunteer. 7

8 Privacy & Confidentiality Patients and families treated here at Windsor Regional Hospital are entitled to their privacy. Confidentiality is essential regarding information about a patient s medical condition, status, treatment and prognosis and personal history and circumstances. As a volunteer, you should not seek additional patient information from staff, patients and/or families. Sharing observations about patients and families should never take place in the playroom or any other patient area. If you have any concerns or questions, please approach the child life specialist and go to a private area. Discussions about patients and their families are not appropriate in hallways, elevators, etc. It is natural that during your time as a volunteer you will develop relationships with patients and their families. We ask that you keep these relationships within the confines of the hospital. Contact with patients and families through letters, phone calls or s is not advised once a patient is discharged. Volunteers should only be present on the paediatric unit during their assigned shifts. 8

9 Playroom Rules & Guidelines The playroom on 3 East is the most popular spot on the paediatric unit! We depend on our volunteers and students to keep the playroom safe and organized. The playroom is open from Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, the playroom is open from 9 am to 5 pm. The playroom also closes every day during the lunch hour (12 1 pm) so that patients return to their room for lunch. This also helps to keep a daily schedule for our younger patients and normalizes their environment. If you are on shift during the lunch hour, duties include washing toys that have been used during the morning hours, cleaning and tidying crafts and activity centers, and making sure supplies are available for afternoon activities and crafts. All children, students, volunteers and staff should wash their hands upon entering and leaving the playroom. We depend on our volunteers to encourage this policy by gently reminding visitors to the playroom to go to the sink and wash their hands before beginning any activities. In general, there is NO FOOD OR DRINKS allowed in the playroom at any time. You should never offer a patient food or drinks without first checking with their nurse. Some patients are waiting for procedures and are not allowed to eat or drink until after a procedure is completed. In order to keep our patients safe, there is no running or rough play allowed anywhere on the unit. Toys and activities can be taken to a patients room if necessary but must be wiped down when they are brought back to the playroom. Toys that are mouthed or exposed to any bodily fluid (sneezing, coughing, etc.) should be placed in the dirty toy bin and washed as soon as possible. All toy washing can take place in the playroom at the sink. 9