1. FTE and Population

Carolyn:FTE 0.8: General Pediatrics and Transplant – 0.4 / Adolescent Medicine – 0.4. Ages 0 – 18 years and caregivers
Jessika:FTE FTE 1.0: all in-patient units / day units. Ages – 5-18 years

2. What does your routine day look like?

Carolyn and Jessika: We both start the day with administration (emails, chart review etc.) and psychosocial rounds. We then begin patient therapy sessions on the ward which can vary in length between 15-30 minutes. Jessika works with individuals across all the units, and within a group setting on the Neonatal Intensive Care and Eating Disorders Units. Carolyn typically works with caregivers and patients across the Transplant, Substance Abuse and the Day Programs (both individually and in a group setting). Both are involved in patient care meetings with the medical teams and departmental related work, and also offer training and supervision to Art and Music Therapy students.

The goals of our therapy are varied and cover the following areas; self-expression, emotional processing, cognitive and developmental stimulation, pain management / coping, mental health issues (including anxiety, depression), treatment decision making, pre-post-transplant planning and support, surgical preparation, legacy building and end-of-life support.

Both describe the core of their work as helping patients and families throughout the illness journey – particularly the importance of the illness not being the defining factor in the patient / family’s life.

3. What are you most proud of?

Carolyn: My collaboration with the MDT including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Psychology, Nursing etc. and supporting patients across their transplant journey. We give the patient a voice to be heard and understood.

Jessika: I am grateful that we are allowed the opportunity to be a safe person for patients and being invited into their space during their time in hospital.

4. Are there any challenges in your role?

Carolyn: I feel there is a need for greater awareness of my role within the hospital, and the therapeutic benefit it can provide to patients and families. I would like to be a more integral and consistent part of the treating team, not just an adjunct towards their health and wellness journey.

Jessika: I agree, and I also sometimes feel misunderstood and under involved in terms of my potential role in patient care.

5. What would you tell others who are interested in pursuing this career?

Jessika and Carolyn: Ensure that you a passionate about the work and supporting people – it cannot just be a job. We need to ensure that we are advocating for our profession through our work. Whether you choose to work in a hospital, private or community clinic – ensure you are creative in engaging people.

6. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Carolyn: For transplant patients, the sooner we can be involved in their care the better – we can help across their entire transplant journey as their stay is typically much longer in hospital, than other patient populations. We have a really good opportunity to get to know them over their childhood and teens, and can contribute to positive longer-term outcomes. We have a wonderful opportunity to work together with the entire transplant team!