We're Hiring

We have 3 job opening here at Salud Pediatrics. If you are interested in learning about each one of them, scroll below for details.  

Medical Assistant

The medical assistant positions works closely with providers by preparing patients for examinations, take patient history and vitals signs. The MA also assist in collecting specimens and instructs patients regarding preparations for test, immunizations as well as Assist in opening the office, initiating days activities and answering telephone.  

This is a Full-Time position, working days & alternating Saturdays (Sundays off). 

Requirements 

• Minimum 2 year direct patient care experience not including externship in a Pediatric setting. 
• Graduate of an Medical Assistant program or Externship experience in Medical Assistant program. 
• 1 year medical office experience in a clinical environment. 

Registered Nurse

The RN  position assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and documents nursing care of patients under the direction of providers, organizational policies and in accordance with standards of professional nursing practice. This position is accountable for the quality of nursing services delivered by self or others who are under their direction. This position utilizes specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills necessary to assess data and plan, provide and evaluate care appropriate to the physical and developmental age of assigned patients. 

This is a Full-Time day position with rotating Saturdays (8:45am - 1:30pm) and Sunday's off

Job Requirements 

• Completion of an Associate’s degree, diploma, or BSN from an accredited school of nursing. 
• Current licensure to practice nursing in the State of Illinois. 
• Current CPR certification. 

Patient Representative

The Patient Representative position is a patient centered position that helps callers make appointments, answer questions, direct calls to the appropriate department, document messages and relay information to callers among other things. Other responsibility include:

• Answer all incoming calls in a courteous manner
• Take and distribute messages as needed
• Greet all patients and their families in a friendly manner
• Process incoming mail, filing
• Distribute faxes
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Back up for front desk staff members

 Job Requirements 

• MUST speak fluent Spanish.
• Candidate must have excellent phone etiquette
• Good communication skills,
• Proficiency in multi-tasking,
• Proficiency with computers, typing, and proper grammar are also essential to the role. 
• Strong customer service background
• Must possess good organization skills
• Flexibility to work in a reactionary environment
• Willingness to be a team player

The Patient Respresentative is a Full-Time position with alternating Saturdays. 

If you think you fit the qualification for any of these jobs, send Brandon an email at brandon (@) spediatrics.com

How We Feel About Retail Based Clinics

Clinics offered by retails stores such as Mal-Mart and CVS ( i.e. MinuteClinic) is a convenient and often less expensive option for parents to address pressing medical issues with their children. 

However, most pediatricians I know of frown upon parents taking their children to CVS or Walgreens for pediatric care. The reason? Pediatricians believe, among other things, that retail based clinics fragments a child's care. 

For example, providers at retail clinics - which are not staffed by doctors, but rather mid-level providers such as physician assistant and nurse practitioners - often provide test without properly following up with patients.

There is also an issue of quality standards. 

In a recent study of 14,000 people conducted in the St. Louis area, found that health care providers at retail clinics prescribe unnecessary antibiotics.

For instance, two-thirds of patients who had colds or the flu (which are viral infections) were given antibiotics, which is not recommended by national guidelines.

According to the study, respiratory tract infection accounted for a large number of visits to retail health clinics. 

If providers are in fact prescribing antibiotics that were not necessary, the potential harm from widespread overuse of antibiotics for these common illnesses could have significant un-intended consequences for children. 

At Salud Pediatrics, we understand that in some circumstances parents don't always have the option to come to our practice when their child is sick. 

However, as trusted partners in the healthcare of your child, and in alignment with our mission to help each and every child reach his or her full potential, we feel it is necessary to bring awareness to some of the potential pitfalls that can occur as a result of visiting clinics offered by Wal-Mart, CVS and the likes. 

We also believe it is important to highlight that as your child's doctor, we have a comprehensive understanding and awareness of your child's health that enables us to provide a personalized and tailored medical services to you and your child. 

 

Parenting Tips on Potty Training [Guest Post]

Today's guest post come from Dr. Melissa Arca. Dr. Arca is a pediatrician, blogger and mom. She works part-time while raising her two young children, Big Brother (age 6) and Little Sister (age 3). She is passionate about writing and writing about motherhood, parenting, and children’s health is what she does best. Dr. Arca blogs regularly atConfessions of a Dr. Mom. This post appeared originally on Dr. Arca’s blog Confessions of a Doctor Mom.

Potty training seems to incite fear and stress among parents.

And with all the horror stories we read and hear from family, friends, neighbors, etc…it’s no wonder. It doesn’t help that there’s a stark paucity of science to support one strategy over the other. Even timing is up for debate. So, what’s a potty training parent to do?

First, take a deep breath, relax, and know that your child will progress on to big kid underwear. I promise. It will happen.

I’m a huge believer in “follow your child’s lead” and the rest will eventually fall in to place. I also advocate for keeping it as low key and stress free as possible. I’ve got two potty trained kiddos under my parenting belt. One potty trained at 3 ½ and needed much encouragement and positive reinforcement. The other at 2 ½ and she practically potty trained herself.

Which brings me to my next potty training mantra…tailor your approach to match the temperament and development stage of your own unique child.

Parents frequently get trapped by their own good intentions when it comes to potty training. I’ve gotten trapped myself. But…no need to get hung up on some common potty training pitfalls. Save yourself (and your child) time, stress, and worry by making sure you don’t get hung up on these…

Comparing your child to your friend’s child. Or to a younger or older sibling for that matter. In general, it’s not a great idea to compare milestones with other moms. Kids are unique and develop on their own unique timelines. Potty training is no different. Just because your friend’s daughter was completely potty trained by 2, does not mean your 3 year old is delayed or that your friend has superior parenting skills.

In fact, the age at which a child potty trains is not a reflection of good or bad parenting. It’s ultimately up to the child. It is, after all, the child’s success. Not ours to own.

What matters most is to get started with the process once your child displays readiness signs such as ability to help dress/undress self, shows interest in using the potty, can tell you when he is wet or needs to go poop, takes pride in his independence, and really wants those big kid underwear.

In general this can happen anytime between 18 months-3 years old. Some studies actually show that initiation of potty training prior to 27 months old does not lead to completion sooner than if you waited. Both my children fell on the latter end of the spectrum and the upside to that is they reached completion fairly quickly. No long drawn out process. 

Potty training is more important to you than to your child. Toddlers are incredibly intuitive. They know when you’re stressed, anxious, or upset. And if you’re any of these things when it comes to potty training, you can bet your little one will put up quite the fight. Your child must want this. If not, you’ll just be banging your head against the wall.

You punish or get upset when your child has an accident. Do your best to stay positive, even on accident filled days. We know accidents will happen. The first few days will be a steep learning curve for everyone. Praise for effort and by all means, if your child is motivated by reward charts…use them.

All or nothing. Parents often expect nighttime dryness to coincide with daytime potty training. In most cases, this simply doesn’t happen. And it’s completely normal. It often takes months to years for children to become dry at night. It’s okay for your child to wear pull-ups at night. This is not considered a potty training failure or set-back by any means.

Also, many children will not have a bowel movement in the toilet for months after being potty trained. Be patient. It will happen. No need to force the issue. 

Constipation. If it hurts for your child to have a bowel movement, you can bet he’ll be resistant to try to poop in the toilet. Make sure your child’s stools are soft and regular by offering fiber rich foods and plenty of water daily.

Potty training, like many parenting issues, is not an exact science. Take heart in knowing that you can support and guide your child through the process, but ultimately this milestone is his to accomplish and own. It’s such a fantastic step toward independence for them. Do your best to lovingly support and gently encourage. When they are ready it will happen. 

It will.

And soon, you will be packing up all the left over diapers and pull-ups ready to donate them to a friend in need. The tears welling up in your eyes will be your bittersweet reminder that time indeed marches on and diaper clad toddlers grow up and blossom into preschoolers donning big kid underwear.

Relax my dear friends, family, and parents in the throes of potty training. Free yourselves from the potty training traps. For in this case, time is really on your side.

How did potty training go in your household? What questions do you have about potty training? Are you stressed about it?

Traveling on a plane with the kids this summer? Here is how to prepare

Traveling with kids is never easy. But at least for those of us that have done it before, we know what to expect and prepare accordingly. 

For those parents that have never been a plane with their child(s), it can be pretty stressful. It is not like they give lessons on this sort of stuff before you go home from the hospital. 

Don't worry. We have you covered. 

We've embedded an infographic with tips and advice to help while traveling with your young one or ones. 

Oh, and one last thing that the infographic doesn't mention that we'd like to bring up. Have lots of patiences. 

Make Travelling With Kids Child's Play infographic

Annual Physicals - Scheduling Them Now

School is not quite over yet. But we've begun to schedule school physical appointments for the summer months.

Keep in mind that many camps require physicals as well. And if you child is participating in sports this summer, they may also require a a sports physical.

But more important, here at Salud Pediatrics, we believe that yearly wellness examinations are an important part of what we do.

During these visits, providers have the opportunity to do a complete head-to-toe health exam that may not be possible during acute type visits.

Give us a call: 847-854-9402 

You can change it later if you want. But put it on the books and we will give you a call the day before to remind you.