Meet Jason Dizon, certified surgical technologist at Plainview Hospital. Jason’s passion for learning helps him grow and succeed in his career journey at Northwell.
As a certified surgical technologist, Jason works in the operating room where he sets up for each surgical procedure, assists the operating room team, and maintains the sterility of the instruments to ensure patient safety. Working alongside our surgeons and the surgical team, Jason is constantly learning new things that will provide superior care for his patients. Since Plainview is also a teaching hospital, Jason has opportunities to teach students who are in school to become certified surgical technologists.
Jason is proud to be a part of a dynamic work environment with state-of-the-art surgical equipment. Since joining Northwell in 2015, he tries to make a difference every day for his patients with the support of his team members. “I love that my work enables me to help people,” he says. “The team I work with supports me and makes me better every day.”
With his passion for caring, learning new things and supportive encouragement from his managers, Jason is now looking to pursue a nursing career in the next step of his journey with the financial support of tuition reimbursement from Northwell. “I’m excited about the future and the prospect of becoming an OR nurse, as my management team fully supports me going back to school.”
When asked what advice he has for those looking to start a career as a surgical technologist, Jason shared, “Know that we do not just pass instruments to the surgeon. We help make our patients feel better and improve their quality of life, which is why I love my job.”
Discover a career well cared for as part of our surgical team at Northwell today.
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Nursing careers at Northwell Health goes beyond the bedside—there are many different ways for nurses to make an impact for patients and their families. As a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, Northwell offers competitive benefits, education and career growth opportunities for registered nurses, no matter what area of nursing interests you. See below for several nursing positions beyond the bedside to jump start your exploration for a career well cared for.
Check out our open nursing positions here.
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April is National Autism Acceptance Month, and here at Northwell Health, we are dedicated to supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, whether they are members of our staff or the family of our employees.
Our commitment to a diverse workforce that provides a safe and welcoming environment for people with disabilities led to the creation of our N-ABLE BERG (Business Employee Resource Group). The N-ABLE BERG was designed to advocate, educate, and support our employees of all abilities and their families, ensuring everyone has the resources they need and the respect they deserve.
Here, we recognize two of N-ABLE BERG’s members as they share what working at such an inclusive, affirming, and respectful workplace means to them.
Patricia Troiano, Senior Pharmacist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Juggling a clinical career while raising a family can be challenging for anyone, but when you are the mother of twin boys on the autism spectrum, finding a supportive work environment is crucial. For 35 years, Patricia Troiano has found that place here at Northwell. As a registered senior pharmacist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) specializing in sterile compounding and dispensing, Patricia’s role allows her to fulfill prescription orders and provide IV medication to our patients.
A passionate advocate for the autistic population, Patricia says that being part of the N-ABLE BERG this past year and being given the title of Neurodiversity Project Leader in March has given her companionship, comfort, and an opportunity to spread awareness about autism—all crucial to her fulfillment at work and home.
Patricia has also taken advantage of Northwell’s many continuing education offerings, which have enabled her to develop new skills and flourish in her career. Plus, the culture at Northwell has fostered a real family atmosphere—what Patricia says her co-workers call the “pharmily.”
“We really care about each other and are supportive of each other’s lives outside of work,” she says. “My department has been very empathetic during my family’s autism journey by providing support to me as well as the organizations I volunteer for.”
In fact, her department is raising money to purchase a laptop for her son Christopher’s program, The Nicholas Center, which provides vocational and community programs for those with developmental disabilities.
Through good times and bad, her co-workers “kept me going with encouragement and love,” Patricia says. And she’s proud to note that one of her sons on the spectrum is a Northwell employee, making her career well cared for a true family affair.
Tina Chuck, Advisor with Fair Employment Practices
Tina Chuck joined Northwell in 2011, and just three years later, she formed the Office of Research Policy and Training at the Feinstein Institutes, which evaluates and manages centralized policies, research training, and professional development. Shortly thereafter, her young son was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. It was a very stressful time, as she was managing her new job responsibilities as the director, while trying to find the right work-life balance.
“Thankfully, I had supportive colleagues and reported directly to someone who proactively checked-in on my well-being and taught me how to self-advocate,” says Tina. “I am thankful to have the flexibility in my schedule to care for my son and have access to fabulous professional development resources.”
Now Tina will continue her journey this month as Advisor with Fair Employment Practices in which she is excited to get more involved with Northwell’s workforce equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy and focusing on a broad range of initiatives, including helping support and continue to evolve our BERGs and other social belonging and inclusion initiatives. Recently, she became the co-chair of the N-ABLE BERG and through N-ABLE, Tina has been able to apply her skills and work on programming and events focused on enhancing employee and patient experience for those who are neurodiverse. Her professional network grew as each new N-ABLE BERG initiative connected her with people across the organization and within the community and expanded her knowledge and dedication to diversity and inclusion.
“The opportunities are endless at Northwell,” says Tina, citing everything from team-building activities such as cooking at the Ronald McDonald House to making birthday boxes and duffle bags through Together We Rise for children in foster care.
“I love the passion and grit I see in my colleagues, and their selflessness in rolling up their sleeves to step out of their immediate job title to help others.”
Learn more about Northwell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Become part of our team by exploring our wide range of career opportunities here.
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A wise leader once said, when a door opens, don’t be afraid to walk through it. Jennifer Tutone has had many doors open during her 27-year career journey at Northwell Health and she has walked through every one with encouragement from her leaders. Each time, the other side presented opportunity and growth and she continues to embrace new professional experiences at Northwell.
Today, Jennifer is an assistant director of Patient Care Services and Nursing Administration at Staten Island University Hospital with administrative oversight of the hospital inclusive of operational needs, staffing, and patient experience. However, her Northwell career journey began in 1994 as a behavioral health nurse at Zucker Hillside Hospital. During her career journey, she worked across many hospital sites at Northwell and held many roles such as staff nurse, clinical practice coordinator, ambulatory health nurse, assistant director for nursing, site transformation manager, nurse manager, director of information technology, corporate director of innovation, and director of nursing. “Working for Northwell Health has presented me with opportunities to follow my passion for patients and nursing,” says Jennifer.
Jennifer was offered many positions internally because of the skills she learned with each role and her desire to continue learning. There were certain projects she led which opened up doors to new skills and advancement opportunities in roles she never imagined. “What I have learned from each position is to be agile, I have increased my skillset for project management, increased my skillset to being able to acclimate to a role quickly, and I have embraced the organization’s culture to become successful.”
Along her career journey, she had many opportunities to expand her knowledge and grow her skills. Jennifer received tuition reimbursement from Northwell and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master in Public Health. In addition, with the support of her leadership team, Jennifer grew her leadership skills and became responsible for significant projects that impacted the way our organization cares for patients in and out of the hospital. Their encouragement and support created an atmosphere of caring and development which allowed Jennifer to soar to her highest potential. “I am grateful for all of the opportunities which have been presented to me, as they have created the clinician I am today,” Jennifer.
“I value the fact that I can still call Northwell “home” after working here for 27 years and I am incredibly grateful to the individuals I have met along my career journey. My Northwell family will always be special to me and I look forward to continuing to create relationships as my journey within the organization continues.”
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Imaging careers at Northwell Health allow you to learn, grow, and raise your career expectations in the field you love. Whether your career journey may be just starting now, moving into a more senior position, or you’ve begun to explore a new career direction within our greater imaging services department, Northwell has the resources to support and guide you on your path. Below, you will find just a few career progression opportunities for ultrasound, MRI, and radiology technologists. For the complete job profiles of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com or click on each link below to discover a career well cared for with our team.
For ultrasound technologist opportunities click here.
For MRI technologist opportunities click here.
For radiology technologist opportunities click here.
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You either have a degree in biochemistry or are on your way to obtain one — congratulations! Biochemistry requires focus and attention to detail, plus deep knowledge of the chemical processes necessary for life to exist. But there are other career options to explore with this degree plus some additional qualifications and/or certifications. Here are five potential career opportunities at Northwell Health related to this degree. *
First, find out more information about your school’s clinical lab science / medical lab tech programs to enroll in this program, which is a requirement, and look to Northwell to start your journey.
When exploring a career as a lab technologist, you’ll learn to set up and perform a variety of routine and/or complex laboratory tests and procedures relevant to the particular lab area and your qualifications. You’ll prepare and test specimens for examination and report results while gaining the skills to perform routine and/or preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment, as well as troubleshoot basic technical problems. Explore positions and qualifications.
An anesthesia tech assists the anesthesiologist by setting up equipment and preparing various intravenous medications as directed. A big role is testing and maintaining the anesthesia equipment. This includes maintaining supplies and medication inventory, washing, and sterilizing reusable equipment and the anesthetic machine. An anesthesia tech also reports malfunctioning equipment to appropriate personnel. Explore positions and learn more about the requirements for this profession.
Responsible for the coordination of a designated study or group of studies, clinical research coordinators oversee the recruitment of subjects, implementation of study procedures, and collection and processing of data in research projects. For this role, attention to detail is key, as some tasks require keeping accurate and up-to-date records and managing labels, logs and processes. You’ll oversee shipments of biological specimens for analysis according to protocol and training requirements. You’ll get the opportunity to collaborate with physicians, investigators and other healthcare providers when scheduling subjects for protocol-related evaluations. Evaluating results of assessments as related to study protocol comes with the territory and is a major component in this role. In this position, you may have to organize all phases of the grant process, including connecting with funding agencies and build stronger relationships with external partners. Explore opportunities and qualifications for this profession.
Our research technicians collect and process specimens in accordance with established handling protocols. They also administer tests or basic examinations of research subjects. In this position you’ll administer data collection for laboratory equipment and perform initial data analysis and interpretation. You’ll also conduct library research and literature searches using various computer systems, and assist in editing scientific publications, abstracts and posters. Lean more about this profession and review job qualifications.
A clinical data analyst analyzes, verifies, tracks and reports on trends data. You’ll gain the experience of maintaining consistency and integrity of data collection and will be expected to report concerns regarding data integrity. You’ll work in collaboration and build connections with various departments across Northwell Health in database development and required modifications. Explore positions and qualifications.
Discover what Northwell has to offer as you begin your career journey after graduation.
Browse our careers website to learn more about all of Northwell Health’s current open positions and read the job descriptions to identify roles you’re both qualified and interested in.
See anything you like? Apply! Please keep in mind we only except applications through our careers page, and not through email. If you have any questions, contact us at campusrecruitment@northwell.edu.
*Additional degrees/certifications may be required for select roles highlighted above.
To explore more available opportunities at Northwell Health, check our Careers page.
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Meet Lian Shanhai, who started her Northwell career journey in 2020 as a respiratory therapist with a neonatal/pediatric specialty certification at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). Within her first year at Northwell, Lian has learned to be a team player and develop skills that helps her grow as a Respiratory Therapist.
Her day-to-day routine varies but her current role includes performing respiratory care as prescribed by a provider for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in patients of all ages, from premature newborns to geriatric patients. Within her role she responds to all codes, Level I traumas, and rapid responses depending on her assignment for her shift.
First things first, Lian looks to see what her assignment is for the day once she arrives to work. Next, she prints out her patient list, which includes their ordered treatments. Then she reads the report from the previous shift and attends a huddle meeting, after which she goes to her units. This is where her team begins their rounds with the providers and develops a plan for the day, which can include examining patients’ airways and suctioning when necessary, performing ventilator checks, and providing additional treatments. “During the shift I also assist with intubations, transport patients on ventilatory support to procedures and attend high-risk deliveries in Katz Women’s Hospital at NSUH,” says Lian.
“My favorite thing about being a respiratory therapist is the connections I get to make with my patients and their families,” says Lian. “I treat every patient I come into contact with as if they were my own family and I’m able to provide relief for my patients.” Part of Lian’s role is to explain to family members how the ventilator works and how we are helping their loved ones. “It is very difficult to see a loved one intubated and on a ventilator but I get to provide peace of mind to their family members.”
Looking to discover a career well cared for as a respiratory therapist? Apply today!
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As a patient care associate (PCA) at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Kimouy Williams spends each day with our patients putting all she has into helping make their time at Northwell Health a little more comfortable.
Even when her day consists of wearing multiple hats, Kimouy is eager to greet and attend to each patient, assisting them in getting up, bathed, dressed, and ensuring that they have all they need to be comfortable throughout the day. “I always make sure my clients have snacks and a clean bedside table. I know the effects that hunger can have on a patient’s mood and being attentive with cleanliness is an important part of being a successful PCA.”
A patient care associate is a fulfilling career that Kimouy truly cherishes. “My career at Northwell is something that I’m very proud of. I’m excited to continue my journey here and being given the opportunity to advance my education in nursing while working with incredibly dedicated healthcare professionals who are committed to providing the best care to every person who walks through our doors”, shared Kimouy when asked why she loves working at Northwell.
When Kimouy left Jamaica and came to the US almost five years ago, she knew she wanted to pursue her passion in caring for others like she did for her late grandmother, who taught her so much about hard work and perseverance. “These traits are very much a requirement for me to succeed in my role. Choosing a career at Northwell was an easy decision because they not only offer amazing benefits, they also support my dreams of furthering my career in healthcare.”
Join Kimouy and the incredible nursing support team in a career well cared for at Northwell. Apply today!
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Elyse Isopo started her Northwell Health career journey as a junior volunteer at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) when she was in high school. “I loved the people, I loved the patients, and I love helping,” she says. Today, she is a supervisor for advanced clinical providers (ACP) at NSUH, where she oversees a team of nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
As a volunteer in high school, Elyse became immersed in a hospital environment and patient care as she delivered their newspapers, refilled their water, and transported them, while also helping with art and music programs. The experience impacted her career path. “I always knew I wanted to be a nurse,” she says.
Elyse held many roles during her 22 years at NSUH. She started as a registered nurse on a medicine unit and then transitioned to the medical intensive care unit (MICU). “After becoming a nurse, I knew I wanted to extend my career within the nursing field.” With the assistance of Northwell’s tuition reimbursement, Elyse went back to school to become a family nurse practitioner. “Northwell encourages and financially assists education and advancement of one’s career,” she says. Once Elyse obtained her master’s degree as a nurse practitioner, she transitioned into presurgical testing (PST). After five years on the PST unit, Elyse realized her heart was always with critical care, so she returned to the MICU where she’s worked for the past 14 years.
A driven nurse practitioner committed to learning and growth, Elyse earned her second master’s as an acute care nurse practitioner — and with Northwell’s support, she received tuition reimbursement for her doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) as well. To share her passion for nursing with others, she became a professor at Hofstra University as an adjunct clinical faculty member, where she supervises clinical faculty in the nurse practitioner programs. As a nurse and nurse practitioner, Elyse is involved with patient and family education. “I found a love of teaching throughout my career when I am precepting new nurses; teaching ACPs, residents and interns; and speaking with patients and their families.”
Reflecting on her tenure at NSUH, Elyse says, “You don’t have just a hospital, you have a community.” During COVID and as a frontline health worker, Elyse never considered herself a hero, but once she stepped outside the hospital for a “clap-out” from local first responders — whose ladder trucks erected an arch under which NSUH staff walked as they were applauded — she was reminded that her career was more than a job; it was a true calling. “I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”
At Northwell, we strive to have our team members continue their career and education journey. Elyse is proof of that: “Northwell helps build each of us to our greatest potential professionally no matter what your career trajectory is.”
Discover a career well cared for and explore nursing opportunities.
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In honor of Nurses Week, which Northwell Health is celebrating throughout May, we are highlighting some of our amazing nurses as they share stories about their careers, growth and experiences. Throughout her 36 years as a registered nurse at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), Diane Geraci has achieved both professional and personal growth.
Diane started her nursing career journey in 1985 as a graduate nurse at SIUH. “It was my favorite hospital to do the clinical rotations,” she says. From her first days at SIUH, she knew she would grow and learn within the same hospital.
“Northwell and SIUH have been very supportive of my growth,” Diane says of a career that’s included roles in rehab/orthopedic surgery, the operating room and ambulatory oncology.
Because continuing education is very important to Diane, leadership encouraged her to enroll in oncology certification courses and offered tuition reimbursement for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the College of Staten Island. “It took four years and a lot of hard work, and I graduated with a BSN—and all thanks to the ease of the program because of Staten Island University Hospital. I’m so thankful for their encouragement and financial support!”
Not only did Diane receive her BSN, she also obtained her nursing certification in oncology and immunotherapy to further her knowledge in her field.
In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey made a Category 4 landfall in Texas, devastating much in its path. Northwell quickly assembled a medical mission team to assist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. When Diane received the email about the catastrophe, she immediately volunteered to go!
“MD Anderson Cancer Center needed oncology nurses who were certified and who had a chemotherapy/immunotherapy certification, and thanks to SIUH I was certified in both,” she says. “The MD Anderson staff was great to work with, and I met so many cancer patients from all around the world. This truly was one of the highlights of my career.”
When Diane and her team returned home—with indelible memories from the front lines of care—they were greeted with a dinner reception and the opportunity to meet Michael Dowling. “I thank these two hospitals for their generosity to the teams, and for Northwell helping out a devastated community in another state.”
Another unforgettable moment of Diane’s career at SIUH was winning Northwell’s ”Win it Wednesdays” contest, a weekly prize drawing hosted by Northwell’s internal communications team on the Northwell Life Facebook page. What made it unforgettable wasn’t just the fact she won—it was what happened next.
Diane’s prize was a lavender, official New York Rangers hockey jersey. The jersey was too big, so she wanted to give it to a hockey fan. Her floor and nurse manager alerted her that there was a teenage boy—a big Rangers fan—who wanted a jersey as part of his Make-A-Wish request. “He was being treated for lymphoma on the pediatric oncology unit, which was right next to my unit,” says Diane, who met the boy and gave him the jersey!
When the social workers within the unit heard about Diane’s gracious act, they reached out to the team and received box seat tickets for the patient’s family to attend a home game! “It was meant to be,” she says.
Reflecting on her fulfilling career, Diane says, “Northwell is a great place to work! I feel well supported and encouraged to continue my growth with nursing and create more memories.”
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In honor of Nurses Week, which Northwell Health is celebrating throughout May, we are highlighting some of our amazing nurses as they share stories about their careers, challenges, and experiences. Nicole Natale faced one of her greatest challenges early in her career and her experience on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped friendships, as well as her understanding of what it means to be a nurse.
Currently a registered nurse at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Nicole Natale began her career in 2017, as a nurse extern at Huntington Hospital. Nicole fell in love with critical care after experiencing the various facets of nursing care while floating from the emergency room and ICU, to the medical-surgical and pediatrics floors during nursing school.
As fate would have it, Nicole was invited to interview with the Neurosurgical ICU at NSUH shortly after losing her aunt to glioblastoma brain cancer just before graduation. The loss of her aunt to brain cancer left Nicole feeling like she was destined to work with neurosurgical patients.
After successfully landing her dream job at NSUH, Nicole’s budding career took an unexpected turn. After she finished the critical care fellowship orientation, the world was suddenly turned upside down as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Being a new graduate in a global pandemic was one of the most challenging obstacles Nicole has ever faced, but she credits the support of her coworkers, her managers, and Northwell leadership for making the experience less tumultuous. As Nicole put it, “Northwell made me feel safe, cared for, and supported, and I am forever grateful to work for this health system.”
Despite the incredible hardships, the experience was invaluable, as Nicole learned so much so quickly. Her coworkers became her role models and her support system as they leaned on one another to survive. “It was such a scary time for all of us. Working in a COVID unit feels like you’re in a battlefield. Working in these conditions brought my work team together and the bonds I have with my coworkers grew so strong that they are like family to me.”
It is this level of support that Nicole cites as one of the many reasons she would encourage anyone to work at Northwell given the opportunity. Examples of the support she receives from Northwell include career growth with clinical ladder and research committees and physical and mental well-being with things like the Lavender Room where staff can relax and unwind. Northwell is proud to advocate for its nurses and all of our team members, at every step of their journey.
Explore nursing opportunities and learn more about a career well cared for at a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®
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In honor of Nurses Week, which Northwell Health is celebrating all month long, we are sharing the stories of some of our incredible nurses and their inspirational journeys. For Nicole Martinez, she decided to become a nurse all because of a smile.
It all began when her mother was being cared for at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) for pancreatic cancer in 2005. Although her mother’s outcome was not the one Nicole’s family had hoped for, the amazing nurses, doctors and patient care assistants left a lasting impression. The day Nicole was told her mother only had one week to live, she walked into the room expecting tears but instead found her mother smiling with her nurse. Reflecting on that moment, Nicole says, “To this day I do not know what that nurse said to make her smile, but I remember thinking here is a 46-year-old woman who was just told she was going to die…and someone made her smile.” That moment and that smile was what led Nicole to become a nurse so that she too could help others find comfort during the most difficult time in their lives.
After her mother passed away, Nicole needed to pause her education to help support her family, so she took a position as a receptionist at LIJMC where she worked for two years before applying and being accepted to nursing school. With the support of Northwell, her manager, and her coworkers, Nicole was able to continue working full time while attending school full time with support from Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program. Her determination and hard work paid off when she graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing and began working as a registered nurse on the same floor where she was a receptionist. But she wasn’t finished yet. Nicole went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, once again aided by tuition reimbursement and encouragement from Northwell. But she still wasn’t finished. After transferring to the Ambulatory Surgery Unit, (ASU), Nicole again set her sights a little higher and completed her master’s degree. She was then promoted to her current role of assistant nurse manager.
About her amazing accomplishments, Nicole says, “Northwell gave me the opportunities, the strength, the financial support, and the courage that I needed to attain my goals. I tell everyone to this day if you want it, there is no excuse. Thank you Northwell for the past 15 years. Because of you, I am who I am today!”
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National Nurses Week is here and at Northwell Health we are celebrating every moment of it. In fact, we will be celebrating all month long to honor our 18,000+ nurses across Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester. After a year unlike any other, we are stronger today because of our registered nurses’ commitment to raising the standard of care in the communities where we live, love and belong. And as we reflect on the selfless individuals the whole world considers heroes, it fills our hearts with gratitude to call these incredible men and women our colleagues, our friends, our family, and our neighbors.
During Nurses Week, Northwell has many activities planned to honor our nurses including, virtual cooking classes, blessing of the hands, award ceremonies, wellness initiatives such as yoga and wellness retreats, among other activities.
“Endless opportunities to shoot for the stars.”
“I love working as a nurse with Northwell because its more than a job, it’s a family. The support, the encouragement, the camaraderie, and the overall feeling that you are part of a team making a difference in people’s lives.”
“There are so many opportunities for a nurse at Northwell. Follow your passion and seek new challenges.”
“The fact that I’ve been a nurse at LIJ Medical Center since 1980, way before it was Northwell, speaks of my trust and dedication!”
“I love being a nurse at Northwell because I have the pleasure of working and meeting people with diverse backgrounds to improve the health of our communities.”
“Being a Northwell nurse is like having a second family and a home. Great teamwork, support, a safe place to work and my voice is heard. I like Northwell’s values and commitment to our patients and community.”
“I love being a Northwell nurse because I work with a great interdisciplinary team. Northwell supports my career advancement and continuing education.”
“Compassion amongst team members to provide the best care possible for our patients.”
“I love the ability to work in all different areas of nursing and be able to stay with a system who supports me.”
“I work with a phenomenal group of nurses who never hesitate to help one another, and who I consider to be my friends. We’ve all been working away on the COVID floor, staying strong for our patients and each other.”
“Because you come to realize at some point in your career that nurses are a powerful group that can affect and guide change. Our patients and our communities deserve the voice we can give them.”
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As National Skilled Nursing Care Week is approaching, Northwell Health would like to recognize the dedicated and compassionate care of our skilled nursing care facilities. Our skilled nurses and certified nurse assistants provide the highest quality care to patients requiring both long-term and short-term care.
As a registered nurse, Alice’s role is to educate her patients and their families about her patient’s health and help discuss their plan of care. “My work experience with Orzac has been very rewarding,” says Alice. “The compassion and support from the nursing managers and nursing staff I feel is what makes us a great team and contributes to the excellent care we strive to provide.”
Working as a registered nurse at Orzac, Courtney not only takes care of rehab patients but she is also a long-term care and hospice nurse. Her daily responsibilities involve wound care, pain management, patient and family advocacy, safe medication administration, and patient safety. She is a proud nurse who loves her job and finds it very rewarding. “You are more than just a nurse,” says Courtney. “You are your patient’s and their family’s sense of comfort–their educator and ears. The profession is not easy by any means but being able to assist and support people through what is the most difficult time of their life is what’s beyond rewarding.”
As a registered nurse, Nina believes her patient’s physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing is priority. She performs an age-specific plan of care based on the individual needs of each patient. Within her first year working as a new nurse during a global pandemic, Nina was supported by her team through every step. “Working together as a team and effective communication are the essentials for providing quality health care and safety.”
As a certified nurse assistant, Donna’s role is to provide the patient with the most dignifying care, and assist with their Activities of Daily Living to help them feel strong and confident enough to return to their community. “Working in my facility is extremely rewarding because I gain new perspective on aging. I also get an opportunity to interact with patients daily during a difficult time in their lives when they are away from their family and in a new environment,” says Donna. “I try my best every day to make this tough experience as easy and rewarding for the patient as I can.”
Working as a certified nurse assistant, Andrea provides compassionate care to her patients. Her responsibilities include direct patient care and putting a smile on their face! Her favorite thing about her job is her team who go the extra mile for their patients. “I find working at my facility rewarding because my team is pleasant and competent and I have professional, caring managers,” says Donna.
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This week Northwell Health is celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week! Our Medical Laboratory professionals play a vital role within our organization by providing crucial information for detecting, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring a patient’s disease. They are our healthcare heroes behind the scenes!
Meet some of our team members:
Working as a lead cytology technologist, Ryan’s primary role is to screen and diagnose cytology cases using a light microscope to look mainly for cancer, infectious diseases, as well as other inflammatory conditions which people may suffer from. “My favorite thing about my career is trying to figure out what the patient has and provide a quality diagnosis, says Ryan. “We as cytologists really have the power to help the patients by providing accurate diagnoses or also by detecting a patient’s cancer in the early stage. Then they can receive the proper, life-saving treatments.”
As a histology technician Daisey plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, by turning tissue samples into microscopic slides. Leadership has been a constant role model and support system for Daisey where she can voice her opinions and ideas. “My favorite part of this field is knowing that my work can provide our patients with a diagnosis and aide in their treatment and their next steps to recovery,” says Daisey.
As a lab technologist, Sean is responsible for running general immunoassay chemistry and drugs of abuse testing on the state-of-the-art, automated Roche line. Sean is within his first year at Northwell and he is looking forward to continuous growth within the organization and laboratory field. His favorite thing about working as a lab technologist? “I enjoy working alongside my diverse and well-skilled team!”
In Christina’s role, she aides in the processing of surgical tissue specimens. This is where they would chemically preserve the tissue so that they can then embed, cut, and stain representative sections on microscope slides. Within her role, she also performs specialty stains on slides that can help identify certain diseases and/or infections. As a new graduate, Christina has learned many skills within the pathology lab that will help her grow in her career. “My favorite thing about working as a lab tech in the histology department is the hands-on creative work that we get to perform every day,” says Christina. “I am able to take my technical knowledge and create something that can really be seen as beautiful.”
Working as a pathologist assistant, Michael partakes in high-quality patient care primarily through macroscopic evaluation, examination, and dissection of all surgical pathological specimens that come through the lab. Apart of being a pathologist assistant, Michael has enjoyed growing as an educator for pathology residents, pathologist assistant students, and medical technologist students. “We’re able to bring a pathologic process that a student once learned in a classroom and connect it with a real-life patient and specimen, with real implications for care,” says Michael. “I take a particular pride in teaching students and residents important details in macroscopic examination that make a large difference for cancer staging.”
As a pathologist assistant, Alexa facilitates the diagnostic process by providing a comprehensive macroscopic examination and evaluation of all surgical pathological specimens. Alexa started her Northwell career journey two years ago and has grown into her role by supporting the lab in different areas. One example includes assisting her supervisor with process improvements which allowed her to gain new skills and insight. “I love that it is primarily hands on and that I get to appreciate the fascinating anatomy of the human body while being able to help patients behind the scenes,” says Alexa.
As a supervisor in his role, Roby oversees the day-to-day laboratory operations for his team. He ensures the laboratory maintains and follows compliance standards and regulations set by both accrediting and government agencies. “My favorite thing about being a laboratory technologist is that I am proud of the results we provide to the physicians and nurses from our laboratory,” says Roby.
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Phlebotomists at Northwell Health play an important role by collecting blood samples from our patients. These blood samples can help identify a patient’s diagnosis and ultimately help doctors create a treatment plan for them. In February we are celebrating National Phlebotomists Recognition Week and we are proud to recognize the hard work and compassionate care that our phlebotomists deliver every day.
Meet some of our team members and learn why they love being a phlebotomist at Northwell:
“My favorite thing about being a phlebotomist at Northwell is meeting patients and learning from their life experiences. I truly enjoy when they share their stories and I have a desire to make them feel comfortable and loved. During these hard times of COVID, my heart breaks to know many of the patients are alone during this process. I believe my role plays an important part in the healing of each patient as it is the start of a treatment for our community members.”
“I have been a phlebotomist at Syosset Hospital for 35 years. I love being with our patients and doing my best to get their blood drawn quickly and painlessly. I love interacting with them and being able to get to know them. We understand that being ill and being in the hospital is not a high point for our patients, so I try my very best to make our patients feel better about their experience at our hospital.”
“I oversee the COVID collection site for pre-procedure and pre-surgical testing. My favorite thing about working as a phlebotomist is that I enjoy being out there and helping people from their COVID test to bloodwork. Being a Phlebotomist is a rewarding opportunity to give back and help the community. It is the best feeling knowing that you’re one of the frontline team members to become a part of a person’s diagnostic treatment.”
“I provide mobile services to patients to their personal residence for bloodwork and COVID swabs. The best part of my job is making people laugh and providing compassionate care. Anything to make someone’s heart feel a little lighter when I leave makes me happy. I go into every home the same, a smile, laughter, enlightenment when needed, compassion and with comfort in the experience I provide for them. A little goes a long way.”
“I’ve worked at Glen Cove Hospital for 14 years as a phlebotomist. My job consists of drawing blood samples from in-patients. Patients are my priority and I really love what I do for the organization and working with my team.”
Discover a career well cared for as a phlebotomist at Northwell Health. Apply today!
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Cardiovascular professionals at Northwell Health work diligently every day to keep our patients’ hearts healthy and strong. Whether they are technologists, EKG or monitor technicians, supervisors, registered nurses or another role, their hard work provides outstanding patient care that creates a positive impact in our community.
Meet some of our cardiovascular professionals:
As a nurse in a Cath Lab, Maryann assists in performing diagnostic and interventional procedures through continuous patient monitoring, and administration of medications, and patient education. “My absolute favorite aspect of working as a cardiovascular professional at Northwell is how we are as a team,” says Maryann. “We are cohesive, committed to one purpose with a bond that enables us to always optimize our patient outcomes. In addition, we serve our community by providing emergency care 24 hours a day, to prevent life-changing, long-lasting heart disease.”
Suvada has grown into her role as a registered nurse in both the Cath Lab and the Recovery Suite for eight and a half years at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. In her role, she works in the lab for scheduled and emergent procedures and works in recovery for the pre- and post-patient experience. “Working in the lab can be very exciting,” says Suvada. “Professionally, there is instant gratification when we are in the lab, a vessel is opened, and the patient is no longer having severe chest pain. I am always learning and growing as a professional. It is so rewarding to contribute to the health and wellness of our patients both acutely in the lab and by teaching in the recovery room.”
As a supervisor in Cardiac Services, Michael’s role consists of the day-to-day operation and staffing of the technologists in the Cath Lab, along with scheduling, training, and maintaining equipment quality. “My favorite thing about working as a cardiovascular professional is being able to help people and make a difference in their lives,” says Michael. “Working in healthcare can be one of the most rewarding career choices there is. I consider myself very fortunate to work in a field that is always changing and growing with new technologies, capabilities and ideas.” Michael feels the impact of cardiovascular professionals on the community is indescribable. “The service we provide to the community is second to none. Not only do we help during their procedure, but we can often help post procedure.”
As an invasive cardiovascular technologist, Leslie helps greet patients, set them up in the room and explain procedures. His role includes operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting a variety of diagnostic and invasive equipment. Cardiovascular technologists are tasked with maintaining a sterile field while preparing the table and equipment before and during procedures. “I feel the work we do in the Cath Lab can change our patients’ outlook on their health,” says Leslie. “We have seen patients take that mindset back to their family and friends and become the foundation for them to want to be aware of their cardiac health as well.”
Working as an invasive cardiovascular technologist in the Cath Lab, Kathi works closely with physicians to examine and treat patients with cardiac diseases. She circulates, supports, and assists all aspects of invasive cardiology. “My favorite thing about working as a CVT is being a part of a talented team of individuals who can literally fix a broken heart. The satisfaction that comes along with helping someone get through a nerve-wracking experience is immeasurable,” says Kathi.
Recently opening in September 2020, the Cardiac Cath/EP Lab in Northern Westchester Hospital is a great addition to Northwell. Patricia was initially tasked with opening the lab and developing all aspects related to operations. “The impact on our community has been significant in that our patients can now obtain this care closer to home,” says Patricia. “Additionally, with the implementation of our STEMI program, they can receive emergent treatment at their doorstep, saving time and cardiac muscle.” Patricia explained that her team’s favorite thing about working as a cardiovascular professional is the ability to deliver quality cardiac care utilizing advanced technology to patients and achieving great outcomes.
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The dedication of our respiratory care team at Northwell Health is indescribable, especially during the unprecedented times of COVID-19. Our respiratory therapists deliver vital care through their hard work, teamwork and compassion. This week we celebrate Respiratory Therapist Appreciation Week and recognize our extraordinary team members.
Meet Yang (Emily) Shi, assistant director of Respiratory Therapy at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). Emily has grown in her career at Northwell since she started as a Respiratory Therapist in 2006 on the NICU unit at NSUH. Specializing in neonatal and adult critical care, Emily has developed a skillset that lets her explore many career opportunities and advance her knowledge as a respiratory therapist.
In her current role, Emily oversees the day-to-day operations of the Respiratory Therapy department which includes team management, projects and patient care. To further her education and management skills, she is currently pursuing her MBA in Management and Leadership with the assistance of the Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program.
Respiratory therapists have always been a vital part of the healthcare system, but when COVID-19 peaked the need for respiratory team members grew rapidly. During this time respiratory therapists worked tirelessly to save their patients’ lives and Emily and her team had to rethink the way they cared for their patients on ventilators, prioritize their resources and learn how to keep their patients and colleagues safe.
“It has been stressful yet rewarding to work as a respiratory therapist throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Emily. “Nothing makes me prouder than seeing a patient being liberated from ventilator or oxygen support and seeing them go home to their loved ones. I am proud to work at Northwell Health because it is an organization that provides quality, innovative care and is invested in the well-being of their communities and team members.”
Thank you to all of Northwell’s respiratory therapy healthcare heroes today and every day. Join the respiratory therapist heroes at Northwell Health.
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As the battle against COVID-19 continuously evolves, so does the care Northwell Health teams are delivering to our patients. With the shift to recovery, Northwell has opened two specialized, acute ventilator recovery units (AVRUT). The new unit at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) and its sister unit at Glen Cove Hospital will provide focused rehabilitation to patients recovering from COVID-19.
Physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists (RTs), dietitians and physical therapists (PTs) will all work together in these units for 24/7 care. Within these converted units, team members will have the specialized medical equipment and other essential items needed for the recovering intensive care patients who received tracheotomies in order to receive mechanical ventilator care.
Within these new units, respiratory therapists will play an essential role delivering around-the-clock ventilator and tracheotomy care. RTs will work alongside PTs to help their patients in need of ventilator weaning physical, occupational and speech therapy. The work of these team members helps wean patients off ventilators and helps this special patient population recover from their illness as they transition to a more traditional rehab facility.
This dedicated care has already seen success as patients are getting up and walking quicker than ever according to Pete Sequinot Jr., RRT, manager of Respiratory Care, Sleep Center and Pulmonary Rehab at NWH.
“Northwell Health is the best place for respiratory therapists to work,” says Pete. “At Northern Westchester Hospital, our average is 12 years of service. Northwell is always trying new things in respiratory care and administration truly listens to our ideas and concerns. Respiratory therapists come here and they feel like their voices are heard at all times.”
By creating these units for more specialized care, team members are not only helping patients recover but alleviating stress from Northwell’s ICUs. These new units mean patients can be transferred out of the ICU, allowed more critical care team members to return to their normal operating conditions.
The respiratory therapists and other AVRU team members continue to help patients recovering from COVID-19, providing regular consultation to asses recovery goals and next steps. Together they’re helping patients recover alongside our communities.
“At the end of the day, I would go into war with this team. They exceeded all expectations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and showed that they are all team players. I am so proud of them and consider them family. If you want the best possible care for your loved ones, come here to Northwell and Northern Westchester Hospital.”
Are you Made for delivering respiratory care? Register for our Respiratory Therapist Virtual Interview Days to learn about full-time and part-time respiratory therapist opportunities.
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My experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has been surreal yet terribly real. It has turned our world upside down. Life has changed — under different rules, protocols, even regulations. Like many others, this surreal experience started quickly for me.
For nearly every day of my married life, my husband would stop whatever he was doing to greet me at the door with a warm hello and a kiss when I came home. Our dog also sits patiently by the door, waiting to play. That was all gone in a matter of a few days.
Coming home after work, I run straight to the sink to wash my hands and change my clothes and shower. I greet my husband with an elbow bump. No more kissing or embracing. Our dog has to wait, sadly looking at me until I can give her attention. Since I was not sure if I was working with COVID patients at Northwell Health Cardiology, I followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to practice social distancing at home. Bringing the virus home was a real fear, especially working in health care and traveling on subways and buses.
I’ve been at this cardiology practice for more than seven years, where I’ve focused on providing high quality patient care and support to my coworkers. I am a health care professional and a team player. I did not have a shred of doubt about my role. It is our calling, even if it means working outside normal routines. And in early March, I volunteered to work in one of Northwell’s hospitals that was most affected by COVID-19.
In about a week, I was redeployed to Northwell’s COVID-19 Testing Center on East 76th Street for four weeks in April. I was grateful to work on the front lines despite being fearful for my wellbeing and potentially bringing the virus home. Trying to fall back on my professional training, I ventured out in mask, gloves and worked six days each week, taking the nearly empty bus and train to and from work every day. As odd as this might sound, this was the work that I desperately wanted to do.
At the testing center, we performed nasal swab and blood testing for COVID-19 serology antibodies. The newly formed staff at the facility started training for nasal swabbing by practicing on one another. I was nervous knowing that someone would be putting a long and thin swab up my nose. I was only thinking about the pain and discomfort. Suddenly, I was a patient and a swabber-in-training. Having a swab inserted was the most uncomfortable feeling, but a necessary evil considering the circumstances. Doing it myself allowed me to calm patients and perform the test with precision and efficiency.
Despite the oversized white suit (PPE), I was still fearful of catching COVID-19. Most seven-hour days were spent in an isolation suit, along with a mask, gloves and face shield. What I remember most is how much I had to breathe my own bad breath. Coffee, onions, a bit of everything that went into my mouth would become something I inhaled for the rest of the day. As a swabber, my role was to stand in a room behind a plexiglass separation/protection to perform nasal swabbing. We treated every patient the same — assume they have COVID-19. Some patients came in with a fever. Others were very flush in the face. I remember one patient said to me “please don’t stand close to me. I am coughing and sick. I might be COVID positive.” Every patient, every moment was a heightened state of stress, focus and engagement.
Three days into working at the testing center, my husband told me my color was off. Most likely, I thought, because of wearing a mask, recirculating my own exhale for more than 12 hours. In another week, I had symptoms — runny nose, achy body and a cough.
Still, I enjoyed every moment working at the testing center, especially my colleagues. We made the best of the situation, offering light jokes to keep in the right mindset. During the four weeks working there, I met people from all over the health system. Leadership from Lenox Hill Hospital brought Bombas socks for each employee one day. There were free bagel breakfasts each Monday at another site across the city. Many of the patients I saw at the center were appreciative and thankful of the work I was doing, too, even those who indicated they felt ill and might be COVID positive. Although they were hidden behind their masks I could see how they genuinely felt by just looking at their eyes.
The long hours can wear on you. Waking up early was a part of it, considering I took an early train and crosstown bus to get there. I also volunteered to work 12-hour shifts on Saturdays. After the first Saturday, which followed a 40-hour week, every bone in my body ached, only remedied by a warm bath with Epsom Salt and an 8 p.m. bedtime.
By then, the mild symptoms I experienced a few days earlier worsened. My husband told me he had diarrhea and shortness of breath. Anxiety rose as I now was tested and eagerly anticipated the results while staying home. He and I pretended everything would be fine. And each day, each email or phone call, he would ask “is that the test result?” Luckily, I tested negative, a stress relief like no other. My husband and I kissed and hugged for the first time in what felt like weeks.
I also earned a recognition award from Northwell for working the front lines. Even with the fear of risking my own life, the sweat trickling down my body in the isolation suit, working the long hours, riding the early morning trains alone, without an ounce of doubt I would do this all over again. It was the right thing to do. But, in honesty, it will take the effort of thousands of front line workers who work each day to mitigate the impact of this pandemic. It’s a challenge worth fighting.
Chandra Bishun-Freeman is a senior medical assistant at Northwell Health Cardiology Upper East Side.
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To say that the respiratory care team was instrumental throughout the COVID-19 pandemic would be an understatement. Although the respiratory care team has always been critical in patient care, it was in this pandemic battling a respiratory virus that the team had a moment to shine, and that is just what they did. Our respiratory therapists have touched every patient in one way or another by providing oxygen, running blood gasses, participating in intubations, managing ventilators, transporting patients to CT scans, and from emergency rooms to other critical care units. We have also been part of the process to meet the challenges of converting noninvasive ventilators into units that were now able to provide invasive applications. This team has truly been front and center playing a large part in caring for our patients during this period in an innovative way.
As the leader of the respiratory care team, I am truly proud of the work they did and how they stepped up to the plate during this difficult time of need. In order to deliver care during the outbreak, the work of the team evolved quickly and continued to change throughout the pandemic. Essentially, our normal process and daily responsibilities were completely revamped to adjust to the high volume of patients and the level of care we were providing to our patients. New policies, processes and protocols were developed rapidly and the respiratory care team was able to play a crucial role in the strategy and development of the new responsibilities. With respiratory therapists being so vital due to the nature of the illness, it gave them a great sense of purpose to be able to step in and provide their expertise. These healthcare heroes were truly able to make a major difference.
Respiratory care team members used posters to leave inspiring messages to each other throughout the pandemic.
Throughout stressful work conditions and long hours, team members found moments of hope and motivation by standing united together. I watched as they came to work every day with pain in their eyes and concern in their hearts for their patients, their colleagues, and their families, and yet they continuously provided the best care possible. There was camaraderie and collaboration throughout the whole process, and they really showed each other what it meant to not only be a team, but a family. To keep our spirits up, we would take time to share positive results of patients and track successful outcomes even after they left our care. There was also constant communication through emails, text messages, and postings on the walls throughout the department including pictures of the team hanging up as a constant reminder that we were all in this together. I also looked for articles on motivation to provide to the team and had the Chaplin come speak to the team in an effort to provide hope during this difficult time.
As a team, we also tried to talk about our experiences and share what we were going through to help each other out and know that we were not in this alone. We also brought in additional resources in the form of respiratory therapists from outside of the organization, to provide extra support and helping hands. This also enhanced motivation amongst the team because there was a realization that we were in a global battle, us versus the virus, and our best chance was to have all hands on deck and work together as a united team with respiratory therapists from near and far. It was also comforting and reassuring to see frequent visits from the senior leadership team to see how the team was doing, ask if there was anything we needed and how they could assist in any way.
The whole respiratory team exceeded expectations during this time, and I know this experience has made them stronger and even better than before. Each and every person on this team is my hero and we always consider ourselves a team and a family. Together, through this experience, they rose to the occasion and I am proud of the entire team for the work they have done and the care they have provided.
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As a social worker in the Intensive Care Unit at North Shore University Hospital, I’ve become immune to people passing away. Death is an unfortunate part of the job because we are treating the sickest patients.
COVID-19, though, was quite different for me and my colleagues.
During the patient surge in late March, we were caring for otherwise healthy 20- and 30-year-olds who were unaware of their surroundings and had no business being intubated. These are previously independent individuals who have been abruptly put on life support. This is the heartbreak the coronavirus leaves.
Adding to the complexities of this situation, visitation was restricted and patients in our unit were unable to speak to their families. This didn’t sit well, so I adapted my practice and refocused my efforts to find a solution. A quick Instagram post asking my friends and followers for one iPad donation turned into more than 20 and about $11,000 in community support — the true power of social media. Their assistance has allowed us to set up every unit within the hospital and other facilities in the area with iPads, which have been critical to helping us connect with families.
Not everyone is comfortable going into patient rooms. It’s a personal choice that must be made, one that I did not struggle with. A social worker’s role is to connect and assist, and the iPads have opened new roads to make important video calls where we could show not just a patient’s condition, but the entire room and care team.
In the ICU, patients are mostly intubated. Finding close connections has been challenging. Instead, we have grown closer to families, FaceTiming with them every other day for status updates, learning nicknames, favorite songs and of their pets who await them at home. They’ve sent pictures so we can build collages and fill their rooms with love. I feel like I’ve become a part of these families just by holding the screen for them.
In some end-of-life circumstances, visitors have been allowed to see their loved ones in their final moments. We’ve been there to help them with personal protective equipment (PPE), addressing their fears and coping with their situation. Some are able to hold their family member’s hand for the first time in weeks. We are also assisting with funeral arrangements, which are very different than usual with increased wait times. It’s overwhelming, physically taxing and mentally exhausting. But it’s worth it. I couldn’t imagine being on the other side, watching the terrible images on the news of beds being piled up and not knowing if my loved one is OK. Showing families that our patients are in private rooms and we are helping them has given them tremendous comfort.
When patients fail, I feel it more than I used to because I’ve grown closer to them and their families. Our conversations aren’t just based on medical concerns, rather vulnerable situations that I’ve now been welcomed into.
It’s bittersweet. When things go well, they go well. But when they don’t, it’s devastating. At the heart of it, we deliver personalized, patient-centered and compassionate care, pandemic or no pandemic. COVID-19 may have tested our mettle and capabilities, but we have survived thanks in part to the camaraderie between us and families. We have all met this challenge with innovation, compassion and integrity. I really admire the people I work with who have stepped up. Teamwork is everything, knowing we will get through this together.
Elisa Vicari, LCSW, is a social worker in the Intensive Care Unit at North Shore University Hospital.
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Northwell Health is proud to spotlight our front line health care workers. See how Northwell clinicians – doctors and nurses – are responding and working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read their stories here.
March 25 is a day I will never forget. Not because I celebrated my birthday with my family, but because I learned something that would change my life forever.
Late that Wednesday evening, I received a message about a Zoom virtual meeting with Lawrence Smith, MD, MACP, dean of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine, where I was well into my fourth year. We usually don’t have meetings with the dean like this, but under the current circumstances, anything was possible. Dr. Smith told us we are graduating early and have the option to join the fight against the coronavirus.
My parents, who are both physicians, were nervous. And rightfully so. Who would want their child to voluntarily be exposed to COVID-19? But they understood and would’ve taken the opportunity to do the right thing if they were in my situation. We are physicians after all. This is what we signed up for.
My boyfriend, Alexander Smith, MD, who is also in my class, had similar feelings about the decision — he said we can be a part of history. We both decided independently, and it was never a question of if to do it, but when do we start?
The truth is, I will start in a few days. I finished virtual training earlier this week. Fear. Excitement. Concern. There’s a wide range of emotions flowing. We know we won’t see our families. We know we should avoid highly populated places like grocery stores. But we also know that we can help make a difference for so many struggling with the pandemic.
They say your fourth year of medical school is supposed to be a glorious time. Alex and I had plans to go to Europe, then the Caribbean, then to my cousin’s home in Chicago. It was supposed to be a time to really relax and rest before starting my residency at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. It’s strange that I will be spending this time at a hospital rather than a beach. But if this is what is needed, I’m going.
To say I’m scared would be an understatement. This is something we have never done before and I think I’m more nervous about not being very helpful. I know Northwell has plenty of personal protective equipment. And I can see the camaraderie among staff who are celebrated and sharing their experiences in the media. I just want to play my part.
This virus has touched so many lives. I never thought being a doctor was a hazardous profession, not like a firefighter or policewoman. But we will be exposed and our mission has never been greater. Hopefully, this will encourage more people to go into medicine.
Alison Laxer, MD, is a recent graduate of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine. After assisting in the fight against COVID-19, she will assume her pediatric residency.
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At Northwell Health, we understand our role in building stronger, healthier communities and the value of the dedicated experts our patients trust in delivering their care. Our biggest assets are our employees and we are committed to our team members’ growth as they contribute to ours.
Northwell’s Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) serves our growing workforce of 72,000 employees and offers continuous learning and development programs to meet the needs of our changing health system. CLI has worked to contribute to the preparedness of our organization by helping to ensure our clinical and non-clinical team members have the skills they need to be successful.
The Center for Learning and Innovation uses hands-on, interactive approaches to help guide employees through educational classes and best practices, including games, reflective debriefing, interactive technology, and simulations that enhance their profession and the care they deliver. In 2019, CLI had a total of 61,888 learners in attendance, which equated to over 301,445 learner hours. Programs can vary in length from a few hours to a few months and span the personal, professional, and leadership domains.
With so many classes offered to our clinical and non-clinical team members, there’s a lot to highlight. Read below to learn about the programs CLI offers focusing on clinical growth and development. Stay tuned for our future blog highlighting the courses that foster non-clinical development!
Providing a safe, structured, and standardized learning environment, The Clinical Skills Center allows healthcare professionals to reach beyond the clinical diagnosis and engage in a more humanistic way to care for patients. We use standardized patients (SPs), who are specially trained team members, for both clinical and non-clinical simulated encounters. The SPs are specifically educated to portray patient scenarios for the instruction and assessment of the clinical skills of medical professionals within our network.
Programs are customizable to meet the needs of our diverse community, and curriculum-specific goals are created to teach our team members while applying the industry’s best practices.
Outside of real patient simulation, we also incorporate high fidelity simulator training at the Patient Safety Institute (PSI). PSI is the simulation center for Northwell Health, the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and the Zucker School of Medicine. Its mission is to support the workforce by creating a realistic training environment where clinical teams can simulate real-life scenarios so individuals gain increased hands-on experience. This training makes use of advanced clinical mannequins which allow participants to develop an in-depth knowledge of patient care without practicing on human patients.
With the help of innovative technology, the PSI team can facilitate multiple patient care scenarios such as a multi-trauma simulation for a pediatric patient, the complicated birth of a preemie, and the cardiac arrest of an adult patient. The clinical team cares for the patient and then debriefs, discussing what went well and what can be improved so that the patients in our clinical care facilities can receive the best care possible.
The Bioskills Center’s purpose is to further medical research and development. As the first health system in the country to be accredited as a Network of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by the SRC, Northwell stands firm in its commitment to advance the healthcare industry and the skills of its employees. This center functions as a fresh, frozen cadaver lab where physicians, residents, medical students, nurses, surgical technologists and others in the medical field can receive surgical training and continue their medical education while working with some of the most innovative, advanced technology around.
By helping sharpen clinical skills and equipping team members with the tools they need to develop as leaders, our organization can guide our employees down a path that transforms their careers. As a result, CLI is not only ensuring growth within our employees, but ensuring each patient that walks into any of our facilities receives the highest quality of care available.
Northwell is committed to investing in the professional growth and development of its employees. Remember to check back next month to learn about our non-clinical programs!
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