Our Services
Well-Child Care
Tracking growth and development in children is an essential component of well-exams. At CTMC we use tools such as the CDC Milestones Questionnaire and M-Chat to track development and screen for Autism. These appointments also allow parents to address questions or concerns regarding their child’s behavior, diet, sleeping, toilet training, school readiness, school performance, or any other concerns parents/children may have.
What to expect at our Well Child Exam:
- Developmental screening
- Measurement of growth
- Vision and hearing
- Dental varnish (if desired)
- Screening labs such as cholesterol, lead, hemoglobin, and urinalysis
- Diet and exercise counselling
- Immunization counseling and administration
Link to view our well child exam schedule! CTMC-Well-Check-Schedule.docx
Billing and your Child’s well exam
There may be separate charges if we address an acute illness or a chronic problem such as stomach pain, ADHD, or Anxiety/Depression during your child’s well-exam.
Helpful Links
Learn About Child Development | CDC
HealthyChildren.org – From the American Academy of Pediatrics (ADD)
Child and Teen Checkups Information for Families – MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
Children’s Oral Health | Basics | Children’s Oral Health | Division of Oral Health | CDC
Immunizations
Our vaccine schedule aligns with the current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Whenever possible, we use combination vaccines to reduce the number of vaccines administered at each check-up. For example, Vaxelis contains four different vaccine components in one: Hepatitis B, DTaP, HIB, and IPV.
Link to view our current vaccine schedule: Updated imm schedule 2022
COVID and Flu Vaccines:
We currently have the Pfizer vaccine available for children ages 6 months through 11 years old. COVID vaccines for children 12+ are available at most local pharmacies.
Flu vaccines are administered from September through June of each year. We carry the standard quadrivalent flu vaccine, Fluzone. Children 6 months and older are eligible for the flu vaccine. The first time your child receives the flu vaccine they have to return in one month to receive a second dose to provide optimal protection.
Flu and COVID vaccines can be scheduled as a vaccine-only appointment as long as the child is up to date on their well exams. We encourage parents to receive their flu vaccine at their clinic, but we can administer flu vaccines to parents. It is your responsibility to ensure your insurance will cover this service.
What should I expect after my child receives immunizations?
The most common side effects that occur after receiving immunizations can include low grade fever, irritability, redness or soreness at the injection site, and potential changes in sleep patterns (increased or decreased due to irritability/discomfort).
It is not recommended to give your child Tylenol or Ibuprofen before they receive immunizations. You can administer Tylenol if your child is experiencing a fever or discomfort after the vaccinations. For children six months and older, you can give Ibuprofen or Tylenol.
Click on these links to check your child’s Tylenol/Ibuprofen Dosage:
- Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever and Pain in Children – HealthyChildren.org
- Ibuprofen Dosing Table for Fever and Pain – HealthyChildren.org
Link to view our aftercare immunization instructions: Immunization after care
Helpful links:
COVID Vaccines:
Flu vaccines:
Combo 10 Blog, a helpful blog for parents with children under 2 years old: A reminder from your healthcare provider: come back to get caught up – Minnesota Council of Health Plans (mnhealthplans.org).
Current Vaccine Information Sheets from the CDC
Adolescent Care
Well-Check:
The adolescent years (10-19 years) are characterized by periods of rapid growth, both physically and mentally. Which is why it is very important that they receive annual physical exams. This is the period in their lives where they can establish healthy habits that last through adulthood. Wellness exams for the adolescent can include discussions on puberty, mental health, behavior, safety, school performance, bullying, healthy eating habits and exercise, and allow for both the parent and adolescent time to discuss any concerns they have.
Does your child need a Sports Physical form? Click on this link to access the current MN High School Sports Physical form. Please be sure to complete the family/athletes’ sections prior to the appointment. CTMC Providers cannot sign your form until this is completed. We do require annual well-checks to sign off on these forms.
Nutrition Counseling:
Separate nutrition counseling appointments are available with one of our Nurse Practitioner’s, Jennifer Benton. During these appointments, the adolescent will set personal goals, and with Jennifer’s guidance, they will establish way to achieve these goals. Her primary focus is on making healthy eating choices and portion control accompanied by adequate physical activity. Jennifer does not provide families with meal plans or recipes but can provide families resources if desired. The initial consultation is a 45-minute appointment which includes taking a detailed history and the initial goal setting. Follow-up appointments thereafter are 30-minutes which are generally monthly but will be determined based on the individual.
Provider-Patient Confidentiality
During your child’s exam, the Provider will ask the parent/guardian to step out of the room to complete the confidential portion of the exam. Our Providers follow guidelines established by the state, which means this starts at the age of 11. There are factors that may make it appropriate to delay this, but that will be determined by the Provider. We are required by State and Federal Regulations to protect the adolescent/young adults’ privacy. For more information about your child’s right to privacy, you can visit: Consent and Confidentiality Laws in MN – MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
Billing and your Child’s well exam
There may be separate charges if we address an acute illness or a chronic problem such as stomach pain, ADHD, or Anxiety/Depression during your child’s well-exam.
Links:
HealthyChildren.org – From the American Academy of Pediatrics
Illness Visits and Procedures
Illnesses:
CTMC prides itself on having same day visits available for your child when illnesses strike unexpectedly. Our Blaine location is open 7 days per week, 365 days a year. This includes extended evening appointments Monday-Thursday, until 6:15 pm and walk-in urgent care hours on weekends and Holidays from 9-10:30 am.
We have multiple on-site tests available to help diagnose your child’s illness with most delivering results within 15 minutes! If your provider orders lab tests that are not performed in the clinic, they will be sent to a reference laboratory. You will receive a separate bill from that facility. Some of the tests performed on-site include:
- Strep
- Influenza A/B
- COVID-19
- RSV
- Mono
- CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- CMP (electrolytes and kidney function)
- Urinalysis
Appointments are required for all visits during the week.
Procedures:
CTMC Providers can perform a variety of procedures in the office. If you desire a particular provider, call our main office to see if this is something they perform. Listed are some of the common procedures performed:
- Wart Removals (using liquid nitrogen)
- Toenail removal (Certain Providers)
- Circumcision on male infants up to 28 days of age (Certain Providers)
- Sutures/Staples (Certain Providers)
- Tongue Clipping (Certain Providers)
- IUD & Nexplanon Implantation (Certain Providers)
Ear Piercing
We offer medical grade ear piercing for your child! The earrings are medical grade plastic to avoid any type of allergic reaction or sensitivity experienced by many kids with standard earrings. Select CTMC Providers and staff are trained to use the Blomdahl piercing device right here in the office! We will have two trained staff members available to pierce your child’s ears at the same time to make it quick!
We welcome children of all ages to have their ears pierced! The only requirement is that they have received their first set of immunizations, specifically DTaP (Tetanus).
You can visit the following site for additional information on the Blomdahl piercing device or to order new earrings! https://blomdahlusa.com/medical-ear-piercing/
Learn what to do after your child’s ear piercing is completed: After visit care-ear piercing
Newborn Care
After your newborn is discharged from the hospital, we would like to see them within 2-3 days in the office, unless you are given other instructions at discharge to follow-up sooner. We will ensure that your baby is gaining weight appropriately, eating, stooling, and voiding properly.
Circumcision:
Circumcisions are performed in the office for parents who desire this procedure. You can call the office to discuss associated costs. Most insurance plans do not cover this procedure because it is not considered medically necessary. Our Providers will only perform circumcisions on male infants 28 days old or less that have received the Vitamin K injection at birth.
Circumcision aftercare handout – Aftercare circumcision
Lactation Services:
Lactation appointments are available for nursing mothers experiencing any difficulties with latching, sore or cracked nipples, supply concerns, pumping and milk storage questions or concerns.
Breastmilk Storage handout – Aftercare breast milk storage
Dr. Catherine Chang and Nurse Practitioner Kaylee Adams are Certified Lactation Counselors
Helpful links:
Contraception Management
Adolescent females that desire contraception for regulating menses or pregnancy prevention have a variety of options. Appointments are available with all our Providers, but we typically recommend a consultation with one of our female Providers to discuss all available options. There are a multitude of options including:
- Oral contraceptives- birth control pill
- Depo-Provera (injection into the muscle), which requires an office visit every 3 months with the Provider.
Annual well checks are required to receive refills or oral contraceptives and to continue Depo injections.
Jennifer Benton, CPNP-PC is certified to insert:
- Mirena- IUD or intrauterine device. Remains in place for 3-5 years.
- Nexplanon- (Small surgical incision in the arm under the skin)
Mental and Behavioral Health Services
We are proud to partner with Natalis Psychology to provide on-site therapy at our Blaine location. We currently have one full-time therapist, Lexi, that sees patients Monday through Friday. This service is for established patients of CTMC and requires they remain up to date on their well exams with one of our Providers, annually. The Providers at CTMC will make a referral to Lexi if deemed appropriate during their visit.
To learn more about this partnership, please reference this handout created by the Children’s Health Network in partnership with CTMC and Natalis: IBH Trifold
ADHD and CTMC providers
All our Providers are trained in managing medications for children with ADHD, Depression, and/or anxiety. There are instances where children need medications that are not routinely prescribed by General Pediatricians, therefore, a referral to an outside Psychiatrist might be necessary.
Links