Healthcare Thursday, April 16th Brianne Ortiz Certified Child Life Specialist CHOC Children’s What is your education background? Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo—Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in development University of La Verne—Masters of Science Child Life What do you do at your current job? I educate children and families about hospitalization, illness, and treatment, advocate for pain management, positioning for comfort and family centered care, support children and families throughout hospitalization, promote positive coping strategies, normalize the hospital environment, and help children achieve clinical goals through play. What is your favorite thing about your job? Watching children and families come full circle from admission to discharge. Families come in scared, feeling helpless, and I am able to provide them with information and tools to empower themselves during a stressful time. I get to play with kids and see them break out of their shells, supporting them in achieving success with their medical treatment and goals. A word of advice: Volunteer with a Child Life department. Visit the Child Life Counsel website: www.childlife.org and become a student member to start networking. Attend local/regional conferences in Child Life. Apply for a Child Life practicum program. Eric Glassman Physician Assistant Newport Orthopedic Institute What is your education background? Westmont College—Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Sports Medicine emphasis Quinnipiac University– Master of Health Science and PA Certificate What do you do at your current job? I am a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic surgery. I am a First Assistant in surgical procedures. I conduct hospital rounds. Clinic hours included new patient work up and evaluations, in office procedures. What is your favorite thing about your job? I love the variety that every day brings, as well as the continuing challenge of medicine. A word of advice: If you want to be a PA, you need to start preparing now. It is never too early to start your planning process. It is very competitive and you need to strive to be the best candidate when applying. Start looking at schools now and see what they are looking for. Take ALL the required classes and get the best grades possible. Get hands on medical experience and as much of it as you can. Study the profession, understand the profession and know what it is and really understand why you want to go to PA school. Tina Singh Quality Assurance Manager Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach What is your education background? University of California, Irvine—Bachelors of Science in Chemistry (2008) Cal State University, Los Angeles—Masters of Science in Health Care Management (2012) What do you do at your current job? Currently, I perform quality management activities which are designed to improve business procedures and outcomes for Environmental Management Services (EMS) performance in maintaining a clean and safe environment. We collaborate with Infection Control nurses on regulations/protocols. I help develop reporting procedures, sampling techniques, and measurements for EMS’s various programs in accordance with regulations. What is your favorite thing about your job? The diversity and inter-disciplinary collaboration. Serving an entire facility allows me to explore various health care groups and services and learn how each piece plays a vital role in the complete picture of providing health care to our nation's Veterans. A word of advice: Explore options. Define yourself. Never stop learning. “Success always happens outside of your comfort zone.” “To get something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.” Healthcare Thursday, April 16th Julie Boterenbrood Occupational Therapist Rehab Without Walls/PediaStaff, Inc. What is your education background? Seattle Pacific University—English Major, Business Minor (Undergrad) San Jose State University—Masters of Arts in Education: Instructional Technology University of Southern California—Masters of Arts in Occupational Therapy What do you do at your current job? I work as an Occupational Therapist in a school district in Los Angeles and home/community health for Rehab Without walls, which specializes in neurological rehabilitation. In both roles, I evaluate patients/clients for areas of impairment and need that are addressed by occupational therapy (fine motor, sensory processing, upper extremity function, ADLs/IADLs, etc.) I develop therapeutic goals and treatment plans for the areas of need. I also collaborate with other specialists for mutual outcomes. I write reports and treatment notes regularly for my caseload. In the school system, I also attend IEP meetings with parents and support staff for the students I serve. What is your favorite thing about your job? I get to solve ‘problems’ and assist people to find solutions to better their lives and hopefully live as independently as possible, despite impairments or setbacks. A word of advice: Take your time figuring out your career path. Be open to new and different opportunities to gain life experience and wisdom. Be okay if your career path is not ‘straight.’ Denis Kitayama Pharmacist/Project Manager Kaiser Permanente What is your education background? University of California, Irvine—Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences University of the Pacific—Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) University of San Francisco—Pharmacy Residency (PGY1) What do you do at your current job? I manage a team of pharmacists that preconfigures medication orders in the electronic medical record (EMR) to support safe and efficient ordering of medications at Kaiser Permanente hospitals. The EMR is software that replaces the patient’s paper chart and is used by health care professionals to document and order diagnostic tests and medication treatments. What is your favorite thing about your job? I am able to draw from my experiences as a hospital clinical pharmacist and pharmacy director to make decisions that improve the usability and safety of the system, which leads to better patient care. Typically, I see the results of my work in a very short time. Each day brings new challenges requiring detailed analysis, consultation with others, and communication to a wide range of users. A word of advice: Students interested in a particular field should speak to professionals working in that field. If pharmacy is a career path that you are considering, volunteer in a pharmacy or seek employment as a pharmacy clerk or technician. Requirements for a pharmacy technician license can be found at the California Board of Pharmacy website.