Interprofessional training at the PPC is framed by the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership Competencies, and is divided into three parts: didactic classes, leadership projects, and clinical training. A minimum of 300 hours (combined across the 3 areas) is required to qualify as a long-term trainee, with medium-term traineeships being between 40 and 299 hours. In most circumstances, trainees qualify for a monthly stipend, tuition assistance, and funding to attend a national conference.
Didactic Classes
Didactic Classes are held weekly for 2-3 hours, and cover a variety of MCH and pediatric pulmonary topics. Classes typically begin in mid-August and are held through late May, with a 2-3 week break at the winter holidays. Most lectures are taught in person and held in the pulmonary conference room at Children’s of Alabama.
Leadership Projects
Leadership Projects are in process throughout the academic year. Group projects include collaborative classes with the other PPCs across the country, a Public Service Announcement, a research poster, an interprofessional case presentation, a capstone project presented at the end of training, and the planning /implementation of a school nurse continuing education event. Individual projects include leading a research review, a family case study, and a podcast assignment to share information learned at a conference.
Clinical Training
Clinical training occurs at Children’s of Alabama. Trainees and their preceptors plan for clinical training which meets the individual trainee’s learning needs and academic clinical requirements. Inpatient and outpatient rotations emphasize culturally competent, family-centered care. Our patient population includes general pulmonary patients and those with asthma, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Cystic Fibrosis, and who are affected by technology dependence and sleep disorders. Trainees have the opportunity to lead 1-2 outpatient clinics as an interprofessional team to increase critical thinking skills and gain experience making clinical decisions.
Training Programs
Nursing
The PPC Nursing traineeship is designed for a graduate student who can commit additional time and energy toward this leadership training program. This traineeship is planned to supplement the UAB School of Nursing and other graduate Schools of Nursing with advanced training in leadership and interdisciplinary care of children with pulmonary conditions in outpatient and inpatient settings.
This is a wonderful opportunity to work closely within an interdisciplinary/interprofessional team with advanced practice nurses, physicians, social workers, respiratory care practitioners, nutritionists, and other health professionals in related disciplines.
For further information regarding the PPC Nurse Traineeship, contact Laura Debiasi.
Application for Nursing Traineeship
Each year, the nurse trainee spear heads and leads the trainees to provide a continuing education program for school nurses in Alabama.
Nutrition
The PPC Nutrition Traineeship is designed for graduate level students, but will accept students who already hold a Master’s degree in a nutrition related field. PPC Nutrition trainees participate in a wide variety of pulmonary outpatient clinics as well as inpatient care. Former PPC Nutrition trainees have become MCH leaders at various academic institutions, and some become entrepreneurs.
Applications for the PPC Nutrition Traineeship are accepted through May 31st for the following Fall semester. Candidates should possess leadership potential and have a strong interest in working in the field of Maternal and Child Health.
To apply for the Nutrition Traineeship, contact Valerie Eubanks Tarn.
Application for Nutrition Traineeship
Respiratory Therapy
The PPC Respiratory Therapy traineeship is designed for graduate students and respiratory therapy professionals desiring a master's degree. The trainee must have an interest in pediatric pulmonary care and aspire to a position of leadership. The PPC RT trainee is given a great opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities. This includes working with an interdisciplinary team in the inpatient and outpatient setting to develop skills in planning provider, patient, and family/caregiver education, discharge coordination, and research. Other activities are planned according to the trainee’s individual needs and interests.
Applications for the PPC Respiratory Therapy Traineeship are accepted through May 31st for the following Fall Semester. For further information regarding the PPC Respiratory Therapy Traineeship, contact LaShonna Stodghill.
Application for Respiratory Therapy Traineeship
Social Work
The PPC Social Work Traineeship is designed to meet the MSW field placement requirements as outlined by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). In addition to the core activities carried out by all trainees, PPC Social Work trainees develop expertise in carrying out psychosocial assessments, performing brief interventions, making community referrals, and discharge planning activities. Former PPC Social Work trainees have been employed in public health, schools, child protective services, early intervention, and as medical social workers in multiple pediatric settings. Students in a dual-degree MSW/MPH program are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications for the PPC Social Work Traineeship are accepted throughout the Spring Semester for the following Fall Semester, but must be received no later than June 15th. Due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will be interviewed.
For further information, contact Daphne Arnold.
Application for Social Work Traineeship
Family Leader
Family involvement is an important component to all programs within the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Over the past decade, there has been an emerging role for family members of a child with a special healthcare need to be included in the Pediatric Pulmonary Center’s interprofessional team. This role is important because of the unique experiences shared by the family faculty with the other members of the team. At UAB, family-professional partnerships are valued, which is why we offer a family leadership training opportunity. The parent or family member trainee will be mentored by the family faculty, while also learning from the other PPC clinical staff.
The family training program will build upon existing leadership and advocacy skills through participation in lectures, discussion groups, presentations, and projects. They will complete a similar set of training requirements as the other PPC graduate trainees and also rotate through various pulmonary clinics.
We look forward to enrolling a family trainee who will not only learn new knowledge and skills through our curriculum, but also share their perspective and experiences from the discipline of family. Applications are accepted during spring for the following Fall Semester but no later than June 15th. For further information about the Family Traineeship, contact Linda V. Russo.
Application for Family Leader Traineeship
