(Katherine C. Cohen/Boston Children’s Hospital)
Amal Scott
Clinical Assistant on Fegan 5, for clinics such as Kidney and Liver Transplant
A lot of times, kids in hospitals are already sick and a lot of them know they are sick, so it is important for me to make sure they are having a good time. The main thing I do is have fun.
When they come into clinic — for the 30 seconds or one minute they’re in my presence — I try to make sure they are not thinking about what’s wrong with them or why they’re here in the hospital.
It’s the most important thing to me.
I get to know some of these families and get to appreciate some of the struggles they have been through, because in my role we are often times the first person the family meets before seeing nursing staff or physicians.
Obtaining vital signs, measurements — that’s the easy part of the job. The most difficult part is creating a little connection with somebody, long enough for them to enjoy a few moments in the hospital.