CNO Corner – A conversation with Terry Pando

If you could look up “healthcare leadership” in a dictionary, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a picture of Terry Pando, RN. As the chief nursing officer and associate executive director for patient care services at Staten Island University Hospital, Terry pursued leadership roles from the very beginning, becoming a Nurse Manager after just one year into her nursing career.

Throughout her 30 years with Northwell Health, Terry has been consistently recognized for her strong leadership skills. She received the Northwell Health Nursing Leadership Award while at LIJ Medical Center as well as Northwell’s Award of Excellence. In addition, her work in advancing the Patient-Centered Model of Care Redesign and Throughput Initiative earned her team Northwell’s prestigious President’s Award for Teamwork.

With this kind of track record, we were excited to get Terry Pando’s insight on leadership, innovation and nursing at Staten Island University Hospital.

How are you innovating the nursing practice at Staten Island University Hospital?

Our leadership is focusing on employee engagement, particularly our team members that are on the front line directly caring for our patients and their families. They are our key partners for innovation, programs and initiatives. I am passionate about supporting and encouraging nurses and giving them a voice.

What is your leadership vision for nursing?

I want to make sure that our leadership team, RNs and PCAs all feel empowered and supported to do what it takes to deliver the best care. It’s very important to model the behavior that we expect from them and communicate clearly the improvement we are hoping for. We are also committed to nursing professional development by supporting those pursuing advanced degrees and providing mentorship to leaders to continue their professional growth.

What are some key nursing initiatives in 2018 at your hospital?

At Staten Island University Hospital, we’re continuing to focus on improving quality outcomes. We’re also working across the system to enhance our patients’ experience and provide an environment of peace and quiet at night. Of course, continuing the development and growth of our staff is a top priority.

What training and education is available for new nurses?

We have so many opportunities for nursing advancement. The Center for Learning and Innovation offers opportunities to network, take courses, be exposed to best practices and be inspired by leaders from across the system. Our Institute for Nursing (IFN) provides an exceptional RN orientation and conferences for nursing specialties. We’ve opened an outstanding graduate nursing school at Hofstra University. And of course, we provide generous tuition reimbursement. For me it’s all about empowering the nurse to be the advocate for the patient and their most trusted resource.

What is the most important quality to have as a nurse?

Integrity – always focusing on doing the right thing. And keep the patient at the center of every decision that you make.

What is the best advice you’ve learned over the course of your career?

The responsibility to mentor and support the growth of our employees is and should be our guiding principle. I believe that is the essence of a true leader and where the greatest personal satisfaction comes from. When you facilitate someone else’s career development, that’s a great opportunity. The importance of that responsibility as a leader, I’ve learned from my role models including Maureen White and Kerri Scanlon.

If you’re looking to make the most of your passion, vision, and ambition as a nursing professional, Northwell Health will help you reach your true potential.

At Northwell Health, we can be Truly Ourselves. Happy National Coming Out Day!

“Our employees should never have to make a choice between a career they love and living with their truthfulness and integrity. I am so proud to be part of an organization that lets me be who I am every day at work. Every morning I wake up looking forward to my workday and what exciting things are in store for me. As an openly gay male executive working at Northwell Health I am surrounded by support from senior leadership and my colleagues; I am able to come to work and be my true self. Through our Business Employee Resource Group EXPRESSIONS, I have been able to align with my fellow LGBTQ co-workers and our allies to make this organization such a great place to work.” – Edward C. Fraser, Vice President of Corporate Community Relations, System Administration

On October 11^th, Northwell Health employees are celebrating National Coming Out Day with our LGBT community members, allies, patients and the members of our Expressions BERG. At Northwell Health, we’re always striving to create an accepting culture where we can all be Truly Ourselves.

This National Coming Out Day, Northwell is taking the pledge to #WearTheRibbon. This one-day campaign encourages employees to take a stand against the discrimination, violence, harassment, and bullying of LGBT people by showing support for safe spaces where they LIVE, LEARN, WORK, PLAY, and PRAY. Expressions BERG members and allies are signing this pledge and wearing a rainbow ribbon at work to visually “come out” in support of safe spaces for LGBT individuals. This pledge is just one way that Northwell encourages employees to achieve their full potential and supports a safe and inclusive working environment and.

The Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) program at Northwell Health helps our patients by elevating diverse voices so we can better serve our diverse population. It also helps our staff, so they can find and engage with the specific communities that understand their experiences and ensure representation of their perspective and experience. This culture of acceptance creates a safe space for BERG’s like Expressions to thrive.

The Expressions BERG consists of Northwell Health employees who identify as LGBT, are allies of the LGBT community, are passionate about or are interested in promoting health equity and awareness of the LGBT community. Wayne Kawadler, Dir, Community Relations, Administration explains, “through our Expressions BERG I have been able to connect with fellow LGBTQ workers and allies, all who are able to be truthful and open about their sexual and cultural identity. From celebrating Pride Month to acknowledging Coming Out Day, Northwell Health is a truly accepting place to work for.”

Learn more about other BERG’s at Northwell Health here. Join us and find the support you’re Made for.

Variety, autonomy and passion: all in a day’s work as a PA

It’s National PA Week! Whether serving as part of the surgical team in the OR, or providing post-op care, our surgical PAs play a vital role in how we are raising the standard of health care. Read their stories.

Variety isn’t just the spice of life. It’s also a day in the life of a physician assistant (PA) here at Northwell. Whether it’s working alongside surgeons in the operating room, making bedside rounds, reviewing lab results or staying up-to-date on the latest technologies and treatments, PAs play an integral part in patient care.

For Melissa Hoerning, a cardiothoracic critical care surgery PA at Southside Hospital, workdays include formal rounds with the multidisciplinary team, prepping patients for surgery, assisting surgeons throughout thoracic and heart surgeries, and providing post-surgical care for patients in the ICU.

“We’re truly an extension of the surgeon,” says Melissa. “There’s a lot of trust from the surgeons, and that leads to great outcomes.”

Scott Shukri, a PA at the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at North Shore University Hospital agrees that autonomy and variety are a daily part of his work. His day includes making bedside rounds in the CTU with intensivists following surgery and helping patients with recovery after surgery. Because he’s on the frontline with patients each day, he is often is the first to flag signs or symptoms that require further attention.

Scott also serves as a first assistant to cardiac surgeons during coronary bypass and other cardiac surgeries. In February of this year, he assisted in the operating room for Long Island’s first heart transplant, and he was recently involved with the rollout of “Code ECMO,” to provide extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – the use a of a machine to circulate and oxygenate blood outside the body— to patients who require emergency cardiac and respiratory support.

“The things we’re doing are groundbreaking and exciting,” says Scott. “We’re providing a lot of mechanical support, while continuously making sure that patients are progressing as they should be.”

Becoming a physician assistant

Both Melissa and Scott learned about the role of PA while working on their undergraduate degrees. Melissa shadowed PAs at Southside Hospital to determine if it was the career path she wanted to take and “fell in love” with cardiac thoracic surgery. Scott was drawn to the amount of face-time with patients that PAs have when deciding on his profession.

“There’s so much I can do as a PA,” says Scott. “The surgeons I work with encourage me to perform at my full potential – in and out of the operating room. I value the time the surgeons spend with me honing my skills, and also the direct impact I can make in the care my patients receive.”

Celebrating our physician assistants

National PA Week runs October 6 – 12. During this week and throughout the year, we honor our team of PAs at Northwell who exemplify working Truly Together. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a PA, explore our open positions.

How to land the right internship that will drive you to a great career destination.

You’re nearing the completion of your college degree and looking to complement your education with some real-world experience. An internship in your chosen field is one of the best ways to do just that. Here are some important steps you can follow if you want to find and take advantage of the unique opportunities internships provide.

Find the right match.

It’s more than just finding an internship in your chosen line of work. You want to get the most out of this opportunity. Make sure the goals of the internship align with your personal career objectives. director of hospital operations at Southside Hospital, Brieanna Desidario advises, “A key consideration is how this will set you up for future opportunities. Does the program emphasize networking and relationship building? Will this experience help make the transition from student to professional smoother?”

Get noticed.

It all starts with your resume. Make sure it’s formatted, visually appealing and grammatically correct. You want to make sure it’s as compelling and impressive as you are! Highlight your accomplishments with real examples. And try to keep to one page. Ryon Andersen, associate executive director of hospital administration at North Shore University Hospital says, “Remember it is an advertisement of who you are, your abilities and accomplishments. Content is important, however, readability is just as crucial.”

Make a great first impression.

If your resume results in an interview, remember to treat this as an interview for a long-term job. Do your research and learn all you can about the organization, its culture, and the internship. Then get ready to show who you are and let your personality shine through. Christopher O’Brien, senior director of finance and operations management at LIJ Valley Stream actually tells candidates, “Nerves are good. They mean you care and companies want people that care. People who push through nerves with enthusiasm are the ones that leaders want to invest in the most.”

Make the most of the experience.

You got the internship. Now make it work for you. Get to know as many people as you can, even outside of your specific department, and start building that professional network. Asking important and relevant questions is also a great way to get off on the right foot. Yash Patel, senior associate, of financial and operations management at Lenox Hill Hospital, reminds candidates that, “Even the greatest minds, bosses and employers continuously ask questions to spark conversation and to learn.”

There are many outstanding internships available in a wide range of professional disciplines. If you’re focused on a career in the healthcare field and looking for an exceptional internship option to get you off to a great start, take a look at Northwell Health’s Healthcare Management Program.

We Ask Because We Care

At Northwell, we know that when we’re Truly Ourselves, we can create great things. We’re committed to developing a supportive work environment that’s as diverse and inclusive as the communities we serve. Part of championing our team members and patients includes delivering the best care possible regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural background and language proficiency.

The “We Ask Because We Care” campaign is a new effort by Northwell to ensure we’re understanding and meeting the unique ethnic and cultural needs of our patients. This initiative aims to educate both our team members and community members about the importance of collecting and using accurate race, ethnicity and preferred language data. This system-wide campaign is part of a national push to support the goals of the National Call to Action to Eliminate Health Care Disparities and comes as a result of our CEO, Michael J. Dowling, signing the Equity of Care Pledge from the American Hospital Association.

As part of this new initiative, Northwell employees will be educated on how to appropriately  ask patients their preferred language, their race and their ethnicity. Our patients’ health is important to us – we ask because we care. Though it is not mandatory for patients to answer, these questions aim to help us deliver the best care possible. By better understanding our patients, we can deliver personalized care to best meet our patients’ needs. Accurate patient information helps make exceptional care possible.

“In improving the accurate collection of patient data collection of race, ethnicity and preferred language and educating our communities about the importance of providing us with this data, we will help to advance diversity and inclusion and reduce health disparities,” says Elizabeth McCulloch, PHD, AVP, Diversity & Health Equity, “We will also be able to use this data to help inform our community efforts, strengthen our community partnerships and stratify our data by key quality indicators.”

All answers provided by patients will be kept confidential and only be shared with providers and within Northwell Health. This information however marks an important first steps to improving community health and eliminating health disparities. As the future market for health care services changes, Northwell is evolving to ensure we continually redefine health care while advancing diversity and inclusion.

Our staff is as diverse as the community we serve. By promoting effective communication and cultural and linguistic competence, we’re able to improve patient and family-centered care, eliminate health disparities and enhance health outcomes for patients and their families.

Every moment matters: How Nilda Adair is making a difference with patient experience

Connecting to people and making a difference are the cornerstones of why so many people start their healthcare careers. Nilda Adair, Chief Radiation Therapist at Lenox Hill Hospital, strives to ensure her team never forgets the spirit of caring that brought them to the industry.

Nilda’s career in radiation medicine had an unlikely start, after a career in Human Resources, Nilda took time off to raise her children. During this time, she sought out meaningful ways to connect with her community, Nilda began volunteering in radiation oncology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC).  It was this experience that shifted everything. “When I started volunteering in radiation oncology, I felt so inspired by the employees – by their passion, their enthusiasm, and their motivation,” Nilda says, “I thought, ‘when I grow up, I want to be like them’ and I knew immediately I wanted to pursue a career in radiation oncology with Northwell.”

Volunteering inspired Nilda to go back to school to become a radiation therapist.  She didn’t want to become a radiation therapist just anywhere – her heart was set on a position at LIJMC, “I knew if I’m going to work, Northwell is where I wanted to be.” After starting with per diem work at Northwell as a radiation therapist in 1997, Nilda transitioned to full time after just a few months.

However, her career goals didn’t stop there.  Nilda’s passion and commitment to her work helped her move her way up through her years at Northwell, serving as a supervisor before becoming chief in 2013. If the day to day responsibilities didn’t keep her busy enough, she also became the Patient Experience Culture Leader for radiation medicine. In this role, Nilda is responsible for overseeing the local patient experience – leading and effecting change. It is this unrelenting passion for delivering the best care to our patients that reminds Nilda daily why she joined the healthcare industry.

Throughout her rise in Radiation Medicine, Nilda’s love for patient experience never wavered. The role of chief would mean taking a step back from interacting with patients directly, it also provided her with the opportunity to increase quality of care through empowering others. “I realized that by empowering my team, I’m able to help even more patients,” Nilda says, “We’re able to meet our goal of making sure that every patient feels like someone is spending time taking care of them, and that they don’t feel like a piece in a production line.”

Her role as a culture leader was a trajectory that started early on in her career. Over the years, Nilda was given the opportunity to work projects that led to improved patient experience. Embracing these opportunities meant that she was part of the team that help reduce the number of reduce the number of days between consult and treatment for specific disease sites, improved therapist workflow efficiency increasing the amount time team members spend crucial points of care, and to drive performance in our safety culture just to name a few.

Serving as a culture leader has allowed Nilda to expand her own knowledge of what matters to patients, “I’ve learned that a patient’s experience isn’t just impacted by the staff they interact with. It’s important to realize that all senses play a role in, not only, how we are perceived but impacts the overall feeling the patient has when they leave the hospital.” By taking every moment of the experience into consideration, Nilda and her team can deliver the best care experience for patients.

No matter her position, Nilda always remembers that spark that ignited while she was volunteering, “Focusing on patient experience helps us all remember the spirit of why we chose health care in the first place – make a connection, to help people, and to make a difference.”

Are you Made for outstanding patient care? Explore current job opportunities across our healthcare system.

An Appointment With: Dr. Lewis Teperman and Northwell’s New Liver Transplant Program

Being Truly Innovative is in our blood at Northwell Health, and Dr. Teperman is leading the way in our liver transplant services at North Shore University Hospital. From the start of his Northwell career in 2016, Lewis Teperman, MD, FACS, was helping to lay the foundation for Long Island’s first adult liver transplant program. Housed at NSUH, this program will provide convenient care not only for NSUH’s liver patients but to all patients with liver disease who are currently commuting into Manhattan throughout their long liver transplant process. We sat down with Dr. Teperman in this edition of Appointment With…. to learn more about his career and the new liver transplant program.

What is your career history and why did you decide to continue your career with Northwell Health?

I have been involved in transplant for my entire professional life. While in medical school my roommate’s mother needed a liver transplant and the technology was considered experimental. She was not afforded care and she expired. I have spent the last 35 years of my life helping to make organ transplant access easier for all populations. I was Chief of Transplant at another hospital for the last quarter of a century. It became clear after Hurricane Sandy that their patients were going to remain on Long Island. 45% of the transplant list in the State of New York comes to Northwell’s catchment area so they wanted to start a world class comprehensive Transplant Program. It was a perfect fit for my move.

Can you talk about the new adult liver transplant program being developed at North Shore University Hospital?

Northwell has always needed a Liver Transplant Program and as they say, timing is everything. The state approved our CON application and we have hired world class faculty and support staff. We are building a brand-new state of the art Transplant Intensive Care Unit and intend to open one of the most competitive and innovate programs on the Northeast coast in the first quarter of 2019.

Will this new program offer new career opportunities with Northwell Health?

The foundation of any successful transplant program is Acute Care Practitioners. We are hiring nurses, NPs, PAs, and Social Workers to complement our already outstanding and robust staff. We are looking for SICU registered nurses, inpatient, as well as outpatient, Transplant Coordinators with Transplant and liver experience. We are lucky to have Donna Campbell, NP as our AVP of Transplant who helps supervise our team members. She has been a legend in the Transplant Community and came to Northwell with me from my previous job.

Why should an NPs and PAs be excited to join this program?

We have a culture of innovation, education and warmth. All of our ACPs are afforded the opportunity for a rigorous orientation program and continuous education. New and innovative technologies and care measures are constantly brought to the forefront. The environment is rigorous, collaborative and friendly. They are an integral part of the Transplant Team.

Can you talk about the new state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit that will be housing the new Adult Transplant Service?

The 8 Tower state-of-the-art transplant ICU is housed at North Shore University Hospital. It has the newest technologies including eICU capability. No expense has been spared, however it is only as good as the outstanding people who work in it.

Getting to North Shore University Hospital and our brand new unit is easy. We are right off the LIE and Northern State Parkway by car and we are easily accessible by train to the Great Neck or Lake Success train stations. From there we offer a free Northwell inter-campus shuttle for our employees. We are also accessible by bus and there’s a stop right at our entrance.

How is this new program helping deliver better care to transplant patients?

The new transplant program relies heavily on coordinators and ACPs. The Transplant Coordinators will be afforded the ability to keep in touch with their patients through our telemedicine initiative. A dedicated outpatient transplant facility was completed in 2017 and houses the transplant clinic.

What’s one fun thing you did this summer?

I held a party for 100 of our employees and their family members in East Marion, NY. The highlight was taking our staff’s kids out on the banana boat!

Join this exciting new transplant team! Explore our open positions here.

Meet the ‘Unsung Heroes’ of the Northwell Health Surgical Team

When it comes to a major medical procedure, everyone involved is a crucial component in making sure the surgery is a success. Sure, the doctors and nurses are often the figureheads of these difficult procedures, but within the PeriOperative field, Sterile Processing Technicians are often the “unsung heroes” who deliver key support before, during and after surgical procedures.

“People see surgical instruments on television shows and never see the meticulous process requiring a number of hours to complete best practices in reprocessing of instrumentation to ensure all of our patients are receiving the utmost quality of sterilized instrumentation,” says Marc MacLaren, RN, BSN, MSN, Program Director of System Sterile Operations, “Each Sterile Processing Technician at Northwell Health works every day as if it was their loved one, or themselves, requiring medical attention needing sterile instrumentation.”

And if you’re looking for your next great opportunity with Northwell Health, here’s why you should care.

Never a dull moment. Kevin L. Witcher, Director of Central Sterile Processing for Staten Island University Hospital-PeriOperative Services says, “Central Sterile Processing is the silent heartbeat of PeriOperative services as we provide support not just to the operating room but also surgery suites, clinic’s, physicians’ offices and more.”

Your work matters. David Braun CST, CRCST, Manager, Sterile Processing at Peconic Bay Medical Center echoes Kevin’s sentiments, “The Central Sterile Technician is the unsung hero in the fight against Surgical infections across the nation and it’s gratifying to see them get their due.”

The time is now. Matthew Rafferty, Manager, Central Sterile Services at Syosset Hospital says, “It is a very exciting time in the sterile processing field. It is rewarding to see so many technicians advance in their careers. This field holds enormous growth potential and a promising future.”

A growth that is well deserved for sterile processing. “The Sterile Processing field is rapidly growing as the healthcare industry has begun acknowledging this extremely vital role in the totality of the patient care continuum,” says Marc.

Marc, Kevin, David and Matthew understand the important role served by Sterile Processing. Their hospitals are two of Northwell Health’s facilities experiencing a tremendous surge in the need for periOperative services. That means exciting opportunities for dedicated, passionate technologists to join their outstanding surgical teams. If you’re looking for a Sterile Processing career at Northwell Health, we’ve made it even easier for you to apply with our new qualifications*. You may either have a sterile processing certification (CRCST or CSPD) OR provisional certification (CRCST) to apply.

*Does not apply to Northern Westchester Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Phelps Hospital

As Kevin L. Witcher says, “Northwell Health is providing individuals with the opportunity of becoming an integral part of periOperative services. You will have a direct impact on the outcome and experience that our customers receive!”

Get started right away!

Our new SPD credentials mean you can join us as a Central Sterile Tech with either a sterile processing certification OR a provisional certification.

Central Sterile Processing Techs have the chance to contribute to the surgical excellence of award-winning hospitals while working at the forefront of advanced surgical technology.

If you’re self-motivated and detail oriented, join the unsung heroes who are making a real difference in the lives of others.

How one day changed everything for career transitioning veteran Nancy Banks

It took one event, one meeting and one conversation to convince Nancy Banks that Northwell Health was the right place for her.

A while back, Nancy attended a veterans career fair. Though there were many employers present, she didn’t connect with any of them. That is, until she happened to pass the Northwell Health booth on her way out. There she met Lyndon Chichester, Northwell Health Veteran Program Specialist and fellow U.S. Air Force veteran. Nancy recalls, “We talked about Northwell and the benefits of working for an organization that cares deeply for their patients and their employees.  He told me to go online, find three jobs that matched my qualifications and send him the information. I did and within a week I had an interview.”

Today Nancy is an Administrative Manager at Northwell Health ambulatory facility, Lenox Hill OBGYN. The job is varied, challenging and highly rewarding. “I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of our patients and those that work in the office with me,” says Nancy. “I work with an exceptional group of people that love what they do.”

Nancy’s military experience uniquely prepared her for her role with Northwell Health. “The Air Force taught me leadership, commitment, compassion and honor,” says Nancy. “I use each of these, every single day at Northwell.”

Nancy has no regrets about her decision to join Northwell Health. “Transitioning to a new position is one of the most unnerving things I have done, so I wanted to make sure that I picked the right company,” Nancy says. “After working with Lyndon, I knew Northwell would be an exceptional organization, because he was exceptional.” Nancy is living proof of the benefits of Northwell Health being a Military Friendly® Employer for five years in a row.

If you’d like to be part of an organization with an unyielding commitment to supporting veterans, take the first step at the Northwell Health Veteran Interview Day on November 9. Network and interview with hiring managers and executives, hear from keynote speaker Mark Solazzo, Northwell Health’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and much more.

Nancy would like to remind all those attending the Interview Day that, “the career opportunities at Northwell are endless.  You are only limited by your determination and drive.”

Register for our Veteran Interview Day here!

Happy Nursing Professional Development Week!

All week long, Northwell Health has been celebrating Nursing Professional Development Week! We’re celebrating the values that make our nurses Made for the great work they do every day. From sharing their knowledge in a Truly Ambitious way to seeking Truly Innovative opportunities and by working Truly Together, Nurse Educators and Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Practitioners lead the professional development of our health care team.

Did you know that Northwell Health offers nurses various personal and professional growth opportunities to continue to excel in our health system? Here are some of those opportunities:  

#1: Summer Nursing Student Extern Program:

At Northwell, we’re always working toward delivering better care and that means developing the next generation of talented nurses. Our Nurse Educators coordinated 78 nursing students from schools across the U.S. to participate in the Northwell Health summer nurse extern program. After a formal orientation at the Institute for Nursing, students continued to a Northwell Health hospital site to work with a Registered Nurse in various specialties. We’re excited to see where these Truly Ambitious nursing students go with their career.

#2: Academic Progression Counseling:

Academic progression counseling is available to Northwell Health nurses seeking to continue their life-long academic goals and support in achieving specialty certifications. So how did they do it? There are over 60 nursing affiliation agreements to support clinical experiences at Northwell facilities and Northwell Health nurse educators serve as preceptors to nursing professionals furthering academic progress in BSN, MSN, Ph.D., and DNP programs. At Northwell, nurses have the opportunity to attend on-site classes at select locations where they get to work towards their BSN or MSN degree. We are proud to offer a Master of Science-Nurse Practitioner program with several specialty tracks to help our nurses continue their education and advance their practice at our Hofstra-Northwell Graduate School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.

#3: Professional development:

We believe that nursing is never business as usual and we’ve built our professional development course to back that idea. Our Passport to Preceptorship e-learning module and courses are available to Northwell Nursing Professionals. And they’re popular! In 2017, 528 nurses completed the i-learn preceptor module and 191 nurses attended the in-person class. Our Nursing Leadership Basic courses offer a foundation for excellence within the organization for over 90 new and aspiring nursing leaders and the SOURCE learning lab for clinical staff enhances clinical skills and creates an individualized learning environment. Not to mention, specialty orientation classes attended by over 490 nurses including Cardiac Devices, Core Concepts of Mechanical Ventilation, and Basic and Advanced Neurologic Concepts.

#4: Orientation:

We want all of our team members to start off on the right foot. So we ensure that our nurses have the tools to do so! Nurse educators provided orientation across Northwell Health specialties for over 2,500 nurses and patient support staff in 2017. The knowledge, skills, and behavior in the orientation program provide the foundation to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), Clostridium difficile (C difficile), and other infections; pressure injury; and helped to increase team communication, humanism, and critical thinking.

We’re excited to spend the week celebrating Nurse Educators at Northwell Health! Learn more about our incredible nursing opportunities here.

The Picture of Health: Chef Russ Ficke talks about a passion for healthy food

Syosset Hospital Chef Russ Ficke has had a transformational healthcare journey as part of our team. He’s lost 50 pounds by exercising and looking at food in a different way. His drive to make healthy lifestyle changes and better food choices have also helped him become even more passionate about his work as a hospital chef. That’s why we couldn’t wait to share his perspective on our wellness initiatives, get the scoop on the quality of chefs Northwell Health is looking to hire, and hear his advice for those starting out in the culinary industry.

What’s it like to be Chef at Syosset Hospital?

It is a real honor to be able to care for people who are giving you the opportunity to make them healthier. Most of our patients at Syosset Hospital choose to come here for a procedure. They selected us over many other facilities. We must rise to the occasion in service and hospitality in every instance.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in a career in your field?

Work hard and learn every aspect of the culinary industry — beyond dining, travel and tourism. I have worked in fine dining, catering halls, country clubs and hotels. I also taught Culinary Arts at a vocational school. There are many institutional facets of this industry. By accumulating knowledge of these various business lines, I am a more rounded chef.

What should people know about your team? How does this speak to the quality of chefs that Northwell Health is looking to hire?

I am grateful to work with a group of professionals who share the same focus: providing world-class service to our patients, visitors, and coworkers. I partner with my leadership team, as well as with the clinical nutrition team, to assure we are delivering the best service. I spend a lot of time with my culinary team teaching them new techniques, trends, and skills. I even learn things from them.

What is Northwell’s Ultimate Chef Competition?

Chefs from 17 of Northwell Health hospitals have competed in the Ultimate Chef Healthy Cooking Competition for the past seven years at Glen Cove Hospital. Chefs are challenged with serving up delicious, restaurant-quality meals, but without the added high fat, calories or sodium. I have three first-place finishes and a third-place finish. For the past two years, I’ve helped run the event instead of competing in it.

Each appetizer and dessert had to be less than 250 calories with no more than 250 milligrams of sodium and less than 35 percent total calories from fat. Entrees needed to be under 450 calories, with no more than 500 milligrams of sodium and 35 percent of total calories from fat. Teams are also sometimes given a mystery ingredient to incorporate into their original three-course meal.

How do you as a Chef promote Northwell Health’s commitment to wellness?

Northwell health is committed to providing healthy meals and options to our 66,000+ employees. This focus on wellness extends from our patients to our cafeterias and internal catering, all the way to our vending machines. We also provide educational sessions and cooking classes around these initiatives to promote healthier nutrition.

What is something that people should know about Northwell Health as an employer that they might not know already?

Northwell Health values and promotes many different training opportunities to assist us in our career growth. I am fortunate to work for an organization that invests in me.

Like what Chef Ficke is cooking up at Northwell Health? Join our passionate and growing culinary team. Explore job opportunities today!

Northwell Ventures Presents: The healing power of conversation.

As one of the nation’s leading health systems, we’re continually focused on the transformation of health care. For Northwell’s 66,000 employees, good is never good enough. They are always looking for more advanced and effective ways in everything they do.

At Northwell Health, that’s what it means to be Truly Innovative. And because patient engagement is one of the most important factors necessary to improve patient care, Northwell Ventures is excited to have made a significant investment in a dynamic technology start-up called Conversa.

The Conversa Conversation Platform^TM is designed to dramatically improve the patient-caregiver relationship by automating much of the patient engagement process. It changes how patients and care teams communicate around key health experiences like chronic condition management, post-discharge, pre- and post-surgery, patient education, medication adherence, scheduling appointments, and lifestyle health coaching.

The benefits of Conversa are twofold. First, patients experience greater influence and empowerment in their care. As one Northwell Health patient noted, “I loved talking to my doctor every day and bouncing things off of her. Even if there was no immediate medical problem, our conversations were supportive emotionally as well as medically.”

Second, physicians and nurses have more freedom to deliver individualized, hands-on care. Northwell Health Nurse Practitioner Sheila Davies says, “The Conversa platform gives me reassurance that my patients are okay because I can see that they are responding to the health chats. It gives me peace of mind knowing they’re all right without having to always call them.”

Conversa is one more way Northwell Health is exploring and leveraging next-generation concepts to deliver a better patient experience and improved patient outcomes. Northwell Health physician Zenobia Brown, MD says, “Innovative technologies like Conversa are critical assets in our journey towards providing exceptional clinical care and an outstanding personalized patient experience.”

This post is part of a series focusing on the Truly Innovative concepts and technologies brought to life by Northwell Ventures. We invest in companies that will generate strategic returns- creating products that meet healthcare needs now and in the future. Northwell Ventures showcases our investment in unique and noteworthy innovations that will impact our work and the health of all. Check out our previous post in this series on PurpleSun here.

Meet the Sherlock Holmes of solving claim errors: Northwell Health’s Anthony McCallum

Give him a mystery.

Northwell Health’s own Anthony McCallum, CPC-I, CIRCC, CPC, CCS received the 2018 Omar Brito Life Achievement Award from the Roxbury Institute for Medical Management in recognition of his extraordinary personal and professional achievements. Here’s how he got here.

Anthony pursued coding over twenty years ago, starting with the CPC credential. He worked as a coder and coding consultant and then joined the Revenue Integrity Operations (RIO) team with Northwell Health in 2005 as an Outpatient Revenue Coding Specialist. “After a few years into my coding career and having worked for many years as a patient access representative, I was looking to return to a part-time position at Northwell,” Anthony said. “During the application process, the hiring manager picked up on my revenue cycle experience and felt I would be a good fit for RIO. From there I was interviewed, tested and ultimately offered the greatest opportunity of my life.”

While in RIO, he received three additional prestigious coding certifications, a B.S. degree in Health Care Management and an M.B.A. in Health Administration. “Northwell has provided a platform in which I have been able to advance. There is so much growth in this field and Northwell has provided an environment which encourages that growth. This has had a direct and positive impact on my career and job satisfaction.”

So what is the revenue cycle? According to Anthony, Revenue Cycle includes clinical and administrative functions which contribute to the capture, management, and collection of patient service revenue. RIO has the rare opportunity and skill of analyzing claims in their entirety and assuring that the medical record documentation supports every line item on that claim appropriately. The comprehensive analysis of claims and medical record documentation in conjunction with knowledge of charge capture processes allows RIO to identify the root causes of claim errors. Claim errors can be due to an array of issues; coding, charging, documentation, registration, and software application failures to name a few. RIO directs claims correction and works with the appropriate departments in an effort to mitigate future errors. Anthony feels like “in a sense, we are the Sherlock Holmes of solving claim error mysteries.”

Anthony is dedicated to providing continuous coding education with integrity and intelligence, and his contributions have also been recognized by the health information management community. “I was approached by Frank Chisena, the president of the Roxbury Institute for Medical Management; he explained that the award was given to prior students deemed to have excelled in the profession and he wanted to present me with the 2018 award due to my advancement in healthcare revenue cycle.”

Anthony’s greatest award is a rewarding career. “RIO is constantly seeking innovative ways to improve the organization’s bottom line is the most rewarding aspect of my job,” Anthony said. “It is particularly rewarding when RIO has identified additional revenue opportunities while mitigating claim errors and compliance concerns. It is gratifying to know that our work directly impacts the financial health of the organization, enabling Northwell to fulfill its mission.”

Find a career like Anthony’s at Northwell Health! Learn more about our open revenue cycle positions here.

How I became Made for this™

Written by: Laura Wood, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Palliative Care, Southside Hospital

While all the other girls in my high school were stressed preparing for their sweet 16, I was handling the stress of preparing for an admission to the hospital.  To say living with chronic illness isn’t a struggle would be a lie, but you learn how to adapt when you have no other choice. It was around Thanksgiving in 2005 when I was diagnosed with Lupus (SLE) and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). Multiple admissions to and from Cohen Children’s Medical Center along with weekly home infusions would cause any 16-year-old to feel angry and hopeless.

The details of my hospital stay are hard to recall but until this day I have never forgotten how the nurses made me feel. The feeling of vulnerability as a patient is difficult to explain until you have personally experienced it. Lonesome, angry, and hopeless; all words to describe the vulnerability overwhelming my emotions.

During my time of despair, I had encountered a nurse who I will never forget.  This nurse didn’t know it, but she had changed my life forever. Maybe it was the way she listened to me, made me feel like I wasn’t alone, gave me support, and hope. She made me laugh, made me forget I was sick, and made me remember that despite my situation, I was still a 16-year-old girl who deserved to have fun and celebrate my sweet 16 like every other girl at school.

There was one thing I knew for sure leaving that hospital: I wanted to make others feel how this nurse made me feel during the hardest time in my life. I wanted to be just like her; it was in this moment that I realized my calling: I’m a Nurse and nothing will hold me back.

Fast forward to 2 years later I started my first position at Northwell’s Plainview Hospital as a patient representative in the admitting and discharge office. I spent 4 years in this position while enrolled at Molloy College for my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. After graduation I continued to work at Plainview as a Registered Nurse for 7 years while simultaneously achieving my Masters Degree as an Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner from Molloy College.

Today as I look back I’m proud to say I have come a long way since I was in that dark, anger filled, hopeless place from 14 years ago.  My current role as a Nurse Practitioner is in Palliative Care and I have never felt so much fulfillment in my life.

Being diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses, most of which are considered invisible disease, has forced me to push and work harder in order to achieve the same accomplishments as a healthy individual. I always remember back to when I was 16 and how vulnerable I felt – if I have the power to make just one person feel less vulnerable, advocate for them, decrease their pain, and increase their comfort then I have no other option but to continue my calling. Palliative Care is exactly where I belong because I am able to help those who are like myself. In each and every patient I see a reflection of my 16-year-old self staring back at me.

At the end of the day before I lay my head down to sleep I can say with full confidence that what I do with my life isn’t a job, but a calling. Jobs are made with tasks for people to complete, but callings are for people whose task is never complete. The experience of the care is ongoing and is carried with both the nurses and patient for the rest of their lives. Nursing is my calling. I was Made for this.

Are you Made for this like Laura? Explore Nurse Practitioner opportunities today!

Northwell’s Kyle Nevins is a Top Five Finalist of ASCP’s 40 Under Forty. Here’s Why.

We’re proud to announce that Northwell Health’s very own Kyle Nevins was selected as a 40 Under Forty Top Five through a combination of public voting and committee selection by American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). This program recognizes members under the age of 40 for their achievements and leadership qualities that are making an impact on pathology and laboratory medicine. We have no doubt Kyle was acknowledged for her Truly Ambitious work!

Kyle’s ambition began at a young age. “As a child, I have always loved and excelled in math and science,” she stated, “After winning the school science fair in 4th grade and getting the opportunity to visit the Brookhaven National Laboratory, I was hooked and knew a path in science was for me.”

Prior to joining Northwell Health, Kyle worked as a per diem Medical Technologist with a Northwell employee, who encouraged Kyle to apply to Northwell. “I have been fortunate in my career at Northwell and have had the opportunity to work among extremely insightful and knowledgeable mentors.”

Following that advice, she joined Northwell Health in January 2016 as a QA/QC Specialist in the New Patient Testing (Point of Care) department at Core Laboratory. There, her team of 5 specialists managed the laboratory oversight for 150+ physician office labs, imaging centers, patient service centers and urgent care labs. During this time, Kyle grew in her position. She advises anyone starting off their career to, “be a sponge, take in as much insight and advice that others are willing to give to you. Everyone has something to share and teach, provided you are willing to learn and listen.”

In December 2016, Kyle’s ambitions grew stronger as she advanced to the Laboratory Supervisor position in the new Management Services Organization (MSO) group. The MSO group’s primary responsibilities relate to performing laboratory audits at the 20+ Northwell Health laboratories where they help ensure readiness for all upcoming regulatory inspections and provide laboratory management oversight and consulting services for contracted non-Northwell facilities.

Kyle has found success and growth inside of Northwell Health labs. “From creating posters for presentation at conferences such as AACC and ASCP, to helping validate and open a new Ebola testing laboratory, and participating in nationwide CAP inspections, the opportunities for growth are endless.” We are proud of Kyle’s recognition as a 40 Under Forty Top Five, and look forward to seeing how she continues to push the limits of the labs at Northwell Health.

Find your place inside Northwell Health’s labs here.

Students: Find your future at Northwell Health as an Information Technology Intern!

At Northwell Health, you have the opportunity to use Information Technology (IT) to make a positive impact on the lives of others. That’s because our progressive Health IT capabilities are critical to our ability to deliver exceptional care for our community.

Through our Information Technology Internship, you can play a key role in advancing our solutions in areas such as strategic planning, project management, security, informatics, infrastructure, and more. Through your participation in the program, you will also be well ­positioned for success as a prospective Northwell Health employee. But don’t take our word – listen to what our interns had to say!

Northwell Health IT interns don’t sit on the sidelines – they’re in the game! That’s how Rebecca Logan, IT Project Administrator Intern, felt. “I was able to shadow the Project Administrators and was exposed to everything they do on a day to day basis. I was also included in all types of meetings and training. I was even invited to attend their first team outing at Citi Field, which made me really feel like I was a part of the team!”

As an Information Technology intern, you’ll learn from a department that is integral to the largest health system in New York State. Kristin Wisniewski, MBA Project Control Coordinator, discovered this during her internship. “The biggest takeaway I learned is that as a whole, Northwell Health relies heavily on the Information Services department. Information Services is the main driver behind the most current and efficient technologies available to help provide the best quality of care to patients.”

Although you’ll be working in the Information Services department, you are first and foremost, a part of the Northwell Health family. “I especially loved the culture that Northwell promotes in its facilities. I was always greeted with a smile and treated equally,” said Shaina Koch, IT Security Investigations Intern.

The Information Technology Internship can ultimately lead to a job offer. It did for Rebecca Logan, who was offered a Project Administrator position at the end of her internship, “I am very thankful for the opportunity I have been given, and look forward to all of the opportunities to come! I’m excited to see what the future has in store for me as my career unfolds at Northwell Health!”

No matter what path your career takes, an Information Technology Internship is an invaluable experience for any student. Shaina Koch, IT Security Investigations Intern, agrees. “As cliché as it sounds, the most prevalent lesson I learned is to always put in 110%. Always ask for work and ask plenty of questions. Only you can stand in the way of your success!”

The application for the Summer 2019 IT Internship Program will be opening in February of 2019. Check back for more information and be sure to join our talent community.