For Parents

Caring for a child with cancer can be a difficult and trying process for parents and families. At The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, our full staff of world renowned physicians, nurses, child life specialists, teachers and counselors work as a team to provide your child with superior care, as well as assist parents and family members with any and all questions and concerns.

Below, you will find clinical orientation information to acquaint you and your child with the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

This information paints an accurate picture of the treatment process your child will experience and the state-of-the-art patient care CINJ provides.

Hours of Operation
The clinic area is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If your treatment regimen requires an administration of medication on a weekend or holiday, arrangements will be made for your child to be admitted to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Appointments
The scheduler for the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is located at the front desk of the clinic area, and all appointments are scheduled and confirmed by the scheduler.

Our scheduling system allows patients to be scheduled into blocks of time that reflect their specific needs. We do our best to maintain timely clinic appointments; however, clinical emergencies do arise.

To schedule an appointment, please call 732-235-5437. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment.

Child Life Specialist
The child life specialists at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic ensure that the emotional, developmental and psychosocial needs of our patients and their siblings are being met. Through therapeutic art, recreational activities, medical play and informative teaching sessions, the child life specialists create positive learning experiences for patients and their siblings. The child life specialists also works with patients before, during and after medical procedures. Age-appropriate teaching sessions combined with distraction techniques, such as guided imaginary and relaxation are used. Volunteers work in the treatment area under the guidance of the child life specialists.

You may also request to visit the clinic and meet with a Child Life Specialist prior to your first appointment.

School Program
School is a vital part of any child's world. It is the lifeline to friends, learning and the future. Keeping children on top of their studies while they are undergoing treatment is one of our highest priorities. The socialization problems and physical changes children deal with are further compounded if, upon their return to school, they find themselves far behind their friends and classmates in their studies. The Children's School Program, funded by the Embrace Kids Foundation is a fully accredited, state-certified learning center.

There is a full-time teacher in CINJ's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic who will both teach each child and communicate with that child's classroom teacher(s), or home instructor(s), on a weekly basis. The counselors will assist you in the process of securing the appropriate classification "other health impaired" and will also meet with the Child Study Team at your child's school to address the individual educational needs of each child. Please assist us in providing a comprehensive academic program by having your child bring books and schoolwork when he/she comes to the clinic.

Pediatric Care Technician
The pediatric care technician will greet your child and perform blood pressure, pulse, temperature and height and weight measurements. Height and weight are an important part of each clinic visit. It enables the healthcare team to monitor weight changes and, most importantly, many medication doses are based on weight. The pediatric care technician will also monitor these vital signs on any child receiving blood products or any special medications.

Treatment Nurses
The treatment nurses are knowledgeable and skilled in the care of the pediatric hematology/oncology population and are nationally certified by the Pediatric Oncology Nurses Association. Your child will be assigned a primary care nurse who will administer the prescribed treatment and provide ongoing education. Members of the nursing staff can address any questions or concerns you or your child may have. The nurses work closely with physicians, nurse practitioners and counselors to ensure the highest level of care.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Pediatric nurse practitioners (also referred to as Advanced Practice Nurses) are registered professional nurses who receive specialized advanced academic education and clinical training in pediatrics, which enables them to diagnose and treat common and chronic illnesses for children of all ages. All pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP's) practice under the Nurse Practice Act and the Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist Act of the State of New Jersey. Our PNP's are nationally certified in pediatrics.

PNP's provide healthcare services previously offered only by physicians. As healthcare providers, PNP's can perform physical examinations; order, perform and interpret lab and x-ray studies; diagnose and treat acute health problems; diagnose, treat and monitor chronic conditions; and prescribe most medications.

You will be assigned a PNP that is working in a direct collaborative relationship with your primary doctor. The PNP will be working closely with you and your child to help coordinate all aspects of care.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners:
Dawn Carey, MSN, RN, CPNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Dora DelSordo, MSN, RN, CPNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Paulette Forbes, MPH, MS, APN, Inpatient Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Susan Pillet, MSN, RN, CPNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Donna Plaxe, MSN, RNC, CPNP, Inpatient Advanced Practice Nurse
Beth Ann Savage, MSN, RN, CPNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Complementing the exceptional care offered by the physicians and staff of The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program, Embrace Kids Foundation (EKF) supports the non-medical needs of the children and their families. This non-profit organization is committed to enhancing and supporting the quality of life and care for children with cancer and blood disorders and providing support services to the children and their families. One of the most vital programs funded by the EKF is the school program. The EKF also offers an off-site, home-like facility for our families' use and has established a fund supporting the pediatric research program.

Counselors and Social Workers
The role of the counselor is to pay particular attention to the emotional, social and sometimes spiritual issues of all children living with a life-threatening condition and their families. Although there is nothing that prepares a child or a parent to face a life-threatening condition, our counselors are experienced and trained to support, as well as guide, patients and families during this very difficult and frightening time.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of good care. The counselor can act as a liaison between the family and the medical team, encouraging open, direct developmentally appropriate information sharing. Accurate and shared information about the child's condition will assist the family in making treatment choices. The counselors are available to educate the patient, siblings and classmates about the child's illness and treatment. The counselor is available during medical procedures and when any changes in the treatment plan occur.

The goal of the counselor is to provide the support and intervention necessary to maintain as much normalcy as possible during a very extraordinary time in the life of the family.

Nutrition
Maintaining the best possible nutrition during treatment for oncology and hematology diseases is important for all patients, but it is especially important for children because they require adequate nutrition to maintain growth. Children are usually challenging to feed even when they have no chronic disease. When this difficulty is compounded by medications and therapies, complex problems can arise.

A registered dietitian with specialty certification in pediatrics and nutrition support is available in the clinic for individual nutrition counseling and education. Individualized, age-appropriate nutrition plans can be made in cooperation with the family and, when appropriate, with the patient. The nutritionist can be seen during your clinic visit, or an appointment can be made through our receptionist.

Snacks are available in the pantry. If you prefer to bring snacks from home, they may be stored in the pantry refrigerator. A microwave oven is available if you wish to heat any food. There are several nearby restaurants that offer take-out. A book of menus is available at the parent phone area.

A parent phone is available for local calls for your convenience.