Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Outside of Work
Timeline
Generic

Jennifer Wilson

Greenville,MI

Summary

Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Work History

Patient Advocate/teacher

Spectrum Health Regional Burn Center
Grand Rapids, MI
09.2003 - 06.2006
  • For pediatrics Teach School re-entry program Procedural teaching to patients/families Diversion therapy for patients during procedures Responsible for coordinating holiday/special events for the clinic, for pediatrics Organized for Kids Burn Camp Worked in the in-patient clinic setting Safe Kids Co-Chair for Fire/Burn Prevention Team
  • West Michigan FIREmatch- intervention, referral and education
  • Taught School re-entry program for burn survivor children, Outreach- Fundraising activities and community education
  • Offered simple, clear explanations to help clients and families understand hospital policies and procedures.
  • Facilitated communication between patients and various departments and staff.
  • Worked effectively with staff from all departments to coordinate resolutions.
  • Responded to patient concerns and questions with compassionate and knowledgeable service.

Certified NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Technician

Safe Kids West Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI
12.2000 - 09.2010
  • Member of Safe Kids Injury prevention team. Attended community car seat check in compliance with NHTSA standards would correct ill fitting car seats and restraints for children. Presented to physician, nurses and peers through conferences and staff education on spotting common safety issues with car seat restraints and appropriate documentation of interventions provided to caregivers.

Child Life Specialist

Burn Clinic
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2020 - Current
  • Support pediatric patients with exam and dressing changes
  • Teach and prepare patients for stages of burns
  • Prepare families for surgical interventions and what their injuries will look like after the surgery,
  • Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children with special needs and developmental delays.
  • Prepare and coach pediatrics on returning to school and how to talk about their injuries and rehearse conversations to peers.
  • Communicated respectfully and thoughtfully with parents and guardians by remaining sensitive to different families' cultures, values and needs.

Child Life Specialist

Emergency Department
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2014 - 01.2020
  • Developed level-appropriate lessons and activities to support skill-building needs.
  • Prepared children for success during their procedures/exams through encouragement and exploration of coping activities.
  • Built quick rapport with patients and families to establish trusting relationship to support them during their stay.
  • Prepared children at developmentally appropriate levels for procedures, tests, and clinical experiences they would receive while in the emergency room.
  • Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children with special needs and developmental delays.

Child Life Specialist

Heme/Onc Clinic
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2008 - 08.2014
  • Organized monthly events for patients and families within the hospital to encourage family to family connections.
  • Organized advertising, food, catering, entertainment, and transportation for most events.
  • Events ranged in size of 20- 600 attendees.
  • Presented to classrooms and school assemblies regarding patient cancer diagnosis and ways to be friends and support the patient
  • Assisted in teaching kids how to take medicine (techniques for pill swallowing) and educated the kids/families about the medications they were being told to take.
  • Responsible for in unit holiday celebrations with themed craft, decorations, and food for the families, patients and staff.

Child Life Specialist

Spectrum Health Pediatric Emergency
01.2001 - 01.2004
  • Procedural teaching to patients/families Diversion therapy for patients during procedures
  • Facilitated and guided kids and caregivers in healthy coping mechanisms during stressful periods of their stay
  • Liason in communicating patient and family's concerns, needs, and extenuating circumstances to care team to assist in providing best approach in care possible
  • Advocating on patient behalf to physician and nursing team for pain management, varied approach, and parent presence for test or scan when appropriate.

Patient and Family Advocate

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Grand Rapids, MI
03.2020 - Current
  • Requested permission to build a program to support adult patients in the hospital and their families when pandemic began and visitation rules were drastically changed.
  • Utilized virtual visits with family members to assess, support , and educate them on the care being provided for the patient and preparation for possible difficult outcomes.
  • Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
  • Collaborated with families to assist in growth, development and education to increase potential.
  • Identified available community resources and programs for families to address emotional and physical effects of grief, loss, and trauma
  • Managed heavy caseload supporting three adult hospitals and numerous outpatient clinics through well-developed time management, organizational and task prioritization skills
  • Supported patients with cognitive disabilities in the hospital setting.
  • Provided alternative communication for the patients who had difficulty verbalizing to staff.
  • Educated staff on different approaches to patients to encourage effective communication, compliance, and allow patient to have empowerment in their care.

Education

BA - Family Community Services

Michigan State University

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AA Grand Rapids Community College

Skills

  • Caring and Empathetic
  • Patient Confidentiality and Data Security
  • Resolving Problems
  • Operational Requirements
  • Communicating to Patients and Families

Outside of Work

I love to be outside during all the seasons and love to hike. My favorite state to vacation is Tennessee. My spouse and I have three huskies that keep us active. I work with the sensory population in our church.

Timeline

Patient and Family Advocate

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
03.2020 - Current

Child Life Specialist

Burn Clinic
01.2020 - Current

Child Life Specialist

Emergency Department
01.2014 - 01.2020

Child Life Specialist

Heme/Onc Clinic
01.2008 - 08.2014

Patient Advocate/teacher

Spectrum Health Regional Burn Center
09.2003 - 06.2006

Child Life Specialist

Spectrum Health Pediatric Emergency
01.2001 - 01.2004

Certified NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Technician

Safe Kids West Michigan
12.2000 - 09.2010

BA - Family Community Services

Michigan State University

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AA Grand Rapids Community College

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Jennifer Wilson