Blog 15: Independent Component 1

Content:

·     Log of hours on a calendar: click here

·     Evidence of the 30 hours of work:

This is my time card from Glendora Pediatrics. 

This is my uniform and badge from San Dimas Community Hospital.

Literal

(a) “I, Terrin Liwag, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.” 

(b) I have completed 30 hours of work by shadowing two pediatricians at Glendora Pediatrics and volunteering in the Maternity Department at San Dimas Community Hospital. While shadowing at Glendora Pediatrics, I usually get in at two in the afternoon once a week and go in the rooms with the pediatrician. I watch how he or she treats each patient and write down observations. I have the opportunity to ask questions and do informal interviews when there are no patients present. When both doctors are busy, I file charts. I leave around five.


At San Dimas Community Hospital, I do a lot more receptionist type of work. When it is a slow day, I sit at the nurse station front desk and answer calls as well as call departments for OB needs. When the day is a little busy, I put together patient charts that are ready to go when a new patient arrives. I make welcome packets, sticker new charts, bring specimens to the lab, and go into the rooms to make sure the patients don't need anything. I answer the call lights, fold linens, restock the storage room, and help push the enter button for visiting family. 

Interpretive

For my independent component, I've learned what it is like to work in a medical environment by exposing myself through volunteer work. I've demonstrated thirty hours of work by continuously going to both clinics two to three times a week. The significance of my work would be what I've learned to do at the hospital and what I have learned through watching the two pediatricians. Whist shadowing, I've familiarized myself with the usual procedure that is conducted when I child is sick e.g. asking about medical history, checking the ears, nose, throat, heart rate, etc.

Applied

How did it help you answer your EQ?  Be specific and use examples.

I feel this component has helped me answer my EQ because I get to actually see what it is like working as a pediatrician since I shadow two. When I'm over at San Dimas, I get the opportunity to work in the nurses station so not only do I get the physician experience, but the nurse experience as well. One possible answer I have is be exceptional at working under pressure. What really made this answer true was when I witnessed a terrifying situation two weeks ago. A mother and father ran into the nurses station saying that their baby was turning purple. The nurses did the Heimlich maneuver and the baby seemed better so they put him back in the room. Ten minutes later it happened again. After a third time of discoloration in both the baby's face and extremities, the baby was taken into the nursery and they realized he was having seizures, cutting of his oxygen supply to the brain. The baby's back became arched, feet stiff, and eyes rolling to the back of the head. This happened all within thirty minutes and it suddenly turned into a TV show where nurses where saying "I need a doctor stat!" and doctors came charging into the room with an I.V. and this huge crash cart. It was intense to say the least but it made me realize, if I am going to be a pediatrician, I need to be ready for these kind of situations.