Heart Touch for Pediatric Patients
The power of touch goes beyond helping parents and children bond … touch is essential for a child’s development. For children with serious illnesses in pediatric care, gentle touch provides relief from the anxiety and fear they inevitably experience.
Infants and children have different physical, emotional, and developmental needs than adults and in this course you will learn communication, gentle touch, and mindful awareness techniques specific to working with children. Heart Touch for Pediatric Patients is also useful for parents and caregivers who wish to increase their skills.
Participants will spend a morning touring the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at one of our partner hospitals, and will see firsthand the level of care provided to infants and children with complex medical issues.
This course is required for anyone planning to volunteer with pediatric patients at one of our partner hospitals or hospices. Completion of The Heart Touch Method is recommended prior to taking this course. CEUs are available to massage therapists, RNs, and chaplains.
Training Benefit
Upon completion of this training program, you will receive a certificate of completion from The Heart Touch Project. The Heart Touch Project is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider (450864-08), by the California Board of Registered Nursing as a Continuing Education Provider CEP 13426, and by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (V10953). This program may be used for continuing education credits for members of the Association of Professional Chaplains.
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Developing a Mindful Presence
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Developmental Care Considerations for Massage
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Patient Assessment and Communication Skills
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Touch Therapy for Medically Complex Infants and Children
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Identifying and Navigating Hospital Equipment and the Environment
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Boundary Concerns
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Infection Control Protocols
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Comfort and Palliative Care for Children
Training Course Content
Training Requirements
If you wish to volunteer at a partner Pediatric Hospice or Hospital, you will need to complete The Heart Touch Method Training Program.
Completion of The Heart Touch Method is required prior to taking this course.
All participants and volunteers must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
Training Course Content
The Heart Touch For Pediatric Patients training program is held only two times a year (check out our full calendar link) at our Heart Touch Project Training Room location and is based the schedule below.
Program Cost
The Heart Touch for Pediatric Patients training program cost $400 due with an application. Partial scholarships of $200 have been made possible through generous grants from the Fred and June MacMurray Foundation for those who commit to volunteering at a pediatric hospital for a minimum of a year.
Want More Information?
If you have questions, please call us at 310-391-2558 or email us at admin@hearttouch.org