Volunteer/Shadow Policies
Welcome to TLC!
We are so excited that you have selected TLC as the clinic to gain more knowledge and experience about the pediatric population. Please read and sign this policy handout prior to your volunteer/shadowing experience. We aim to work together with shadows and volunteers to help the children attending our services and programs to reach their full potential!
Shadows and volunteers may be asked to help at either Elmwood or Metairie clinics, where we offer individual occupational, speech, and physical therapy appointments.
Metairie:
3329 Metairie Road,
Metairie, LA 70001
Elmwood:
524 Elmwood Park Blvd. Suite 120,
New Orleans, LA 70123
Along with individual therapy, we also offer a variety of groups and programs at TLC. Our groups take place in the afternoons, in addition to day programs that are led by OT/SLPs. Building Blocks takes place from 8:45-2:30 and Connect Kids from 8:45-12, both housed at the Metairie clinic. Talkin’ Toddlers takes place from 8:35-2 housed at the Elmwood clinic.
Our goal is to provide quality care to the children we see in groups, programs, and all services to help them be as successful as possible. We are looking forward to working with you to best support the children we service!
Dress code:
Volunteers and shadows are expected to dress professionally when observing and assisting with TLC Programs or individual sessions.
Scrub top and pants, or scrub bottoms and t shirt
Sneakers
Cell phones are strictly prohibited during observation/shadowing hours. It is imperative that we have eyes on the kids for liability purposes and to ensure they are receiving quality care. It also allows you to gain the most from this experience. Thank you for understanding!
Punctuality:
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to a program start time. If you are going to be late, please contact our office and leave a message by calling (504)565-7300. If you need to leave early, please let the therapist know so arrangements can be made for staffing.
Volunteers:
All volunteers are required to complete our TLC Student/Volunteer jotform prior to being allowed to volunteer. Once this link has been completed, the Programs Director will reach out via email to schedule an observation day. On this date, the volunteer will observe with a day program or individual sessions to further gauge what the volunteer is wishing to gain from this experience. Based on the observation day, the programs director will then meet with you to create a shadowing/observation schedule.
The role of the volunteer is to observe while taking the initiative to help out as you see therapy techs doing in programs and/or groups. Feel free to ask the lead therapist for ideas on how to get involved (examples: cleaning up after a transition, assisting with potty breaks, getting lunches ready). We encourage collaboration and communication between techs, therapists, and volunteers to promote smooth transitions throughout the day. If you have any questions or concerns please consult with the lead therapist of the day program during (if not busy) or after the shift is over.
Shadows/One on one support:
All shadows are required to complete our TLC Student/Volunteer jotform prior to being allowed to attend our day programs. Once this link has been completed, the Programs Director will reach out via email to confirm the dates and child you will be working with. When working with your client, please try to communicate with our team about your role with the client, including any goals you are working on with the client. If you do not have goals to work on with this client, please collaborate with the lead therapist to complete the list attached to this document to best support the child you are shadowing. It’s important for you and the therapist in charge to be on the same page and understand the expectations involved with you and the client.
The role of the shadow is to be one-on-one with the child to whom you are assigned. If they need assistance completing an activity, participating in a task, or doing anything that day, it will be your responsibility to take the initiative and assist them. We encourage collaboration and communication between techs, therapists, and shadows to optimize the child’s ability to engage in his/her environment. Please try to encourage your client to engage in our provided activities. If you have any questions or concerns please consult with the lead therapist of the day program.