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[Kelly Allen-Pitchko]

The Family Navigator (FN) will carry out several duties, all of which are intended to help children and adolescents with obesity (and their families) to derive the greatest possible benefit from the care they receive while they remain enrolled in multidisciplinary pediatric obesity management at the Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. FNs will have access to a bundle of skills and resources. They will complete training in motivational interviewing and health coaching and have access to resources (e.g., parking/transportation passes, smart phone) that help FNs to connect with families and clinicians. FNs will not provide direct clinical care for families, but play a supportive role for children and adolescents with obesity, their families, and clinicians working in pediatric obesity management.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES:

Liaise with clinical care team about patient care, working to tailor their activities to best meet families needs and complement health services delivered by clinicians.
Connect with families by study-dedicated smart phones to schedule appointments (book, remind, coordinate care), celebrate successes, trouble-shoot barriers and constraints to care, and share educational resources.
Meet with families at times that are convenient for them, which may include evenings and weekends. Most appointments will be virtual (videoconference, phone), with in-person visits returning during the study term, pandemic permitting.
Build a list of resources and services (e.g., mental health support, school-based programs) for families, which complement the clinical care provided by the multidisciplinary team.
Assessing needs of the families and conducting follow up with the families on interventions provided
Providing emotional and social support to the families to promote continuity of care
Plan and coordinate support groups for families to help share personal feelings and coping strategies with the treatment (if needed).

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