Paediatric Neurology / Developmental Neurology, U-hospital

The parents' presence during the period is important to make the child feel as safe as possible when they come to a new location. The parents are experts on their child, so the employees interview the parents during the examination days. The parents can prepare for this by considering the child's strengths and challenges.

A questionnaire sent in advance to the parents in writing and written feedback from the daycare/school are needed for the visit. If the child goes to therapy, we also ask for a reminder to be given to the treating therapist to send feedback directly or through the parents.

The schedules of the examination period may change before and during the period. We always try to stay on schedule, but sometimes, if the situation so demands, we have to make changes. The child can be told that s/he will do different tasks during the day. During the task sessions, the child has breaks and time for play, for example. There is also a lunch break during the day.

A personal carer receives the family when the child arrives for the examination period. The personal carer observes and supervises the child's activities while also guiding and supporting the parents when necessary. During the examination period, the designated carer takes care of the child's needs, together with the parents.

The rehabilitation counsellor contacts the parents already in advance before the outpatient assessment visit or meets them during the examination period. The rehabilitation advisor investigates the child's social situation related to the child's development problems, illnesses and rehabilitation needs. The rehabilitation counsellor provides advice and guidance on practical arrangements for rehabilitation and matters related to social security. The rehabilitation counsellor is a contact person in matters related to the organisation of rehabilitation.

A speech therapist assesses the child's speech and language development as well as the child's general communication and interaction skills. The speech therapist provides guidance in the use of assistive devices to support speech and language development. The speech therapist's work also involves assessing the eating and swallowing skills of young children.

The psychologist is an expert on the child's general development and learning skills. The psychologist assesses the child's language skills, development of interaction, visual perception and learning, and memory functions, as well as attention and personal operational functions.

A physiotherapist assesses physical activity development and the difficulties it causes. The physiotherapist also participates in the assessment of the need for assistive devices for children with physical disabilities and with muscular disease.

An occupational therapist assesses a child's daily ability to function by observing the child's play and activity management skills and by testing the child's manual and perception skills. The occupational therapist also conducts sensory tests if necessary, participates in the assessment of the need for assistive devices, and prepares hand and upper limb splints.

The physician is either a specialist in paediatric neurology or paediatric neurology. The role of a physician in the rehabilitation working group is to be responsible for the child's medical examinations, diagnostics and illness-related treatment. Often, no specific illness can be attributed to the special characteristics of a child's development, and at that time rehabilitation or development support measures are discussed instead of treatment. The physician is responsible for the work of the rehabilitation team and the final content of the rehabilitation and continuation plan.

Those under 18 years of age are not charged an outpatient clinic fee. The rehabilitation assessment visits are free of charge for the family. See client fees.

Our outpatient clinic is part of an internship package in which the student works at the paediatric neurology outpatient clinics (ML2 and UB5) and on the paediatric and adolescent ward (MJ2). In the paediatric neurology outpatient clinics, staff provide guidance on the special features of outpatient work and on issues related to the assessment of the neurological development and rehabilitation needs of children and young people. You can get to know our outpatient clinic for a week at some point during your internship. At our outpatient clinic, you can do nursing or in-depth internships connected with children and adolescents.

We look forward to an active, motivated and responsible attitude as well as interest in child neurological care and assessment of the need for rehabilitation. In addition, the internship package necessitates the ability to request, provide and receive feedback. We require that the student who comes to us has completed the theoretical studies in paediatrics, internal medicine and surgery as well as the internships, and has also remitted the medical bills required by the courses

Please note before starting the internship:

• We observe a dayshift in our work from 8 am to 4 pm.
• Those under 18 years of age are treated at the outpatient clinic. Before coming into the internship, you must present a valid criminal record extract to your teacher.
• We recommend taking a seasonal influenza vaccine two weeks before the beginning of the internship (from the beginning of January until the end of March).
• Those who have not been vaccinated should wear a face mask while in close contact.
• Those caring for infants must have protection against pertussis (whooping cough), provided by vaccination.
• MRSA samples must be taken if you have been studying, working or have been a patient in a foreign hospital during the past year.
• You have had chickenpox and measles, or you have been vaccinated against them.
• You have updated your Jobiili CV, where you have highlighted some of your strengths and challenges with regard to the internship. We also require a Finnish-language CV from Novia's students.
• You have acquired a healthcare professional (VRK) card / booked an appointment at the VRK card registration point.

Pia Leskinen acts as student co-ordinator at the Paediatric and Adolescent Clinic (pia.leskinen@varha.fi). More information about internships can be found in the Jobiili booking system. Before starting your internship, please familiarise yourself with the Hospital as a Learning Environment website.

Welcome to the internship!