Archive for year: 2019
Delivering state-of-the-art care in North Shore University Hospital’s new Transplant/Surgical ICU
Northwell Health has recently opened a state-of-the-art Surgical/Trauma and Transplant Intensive Care Unit at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). The new 13,000 square feet unit cost nearly $24 million and is an important step as NSUH prepares to launch Long Island’s first liver transplant program.
The new unit is not only an example of Northwell’s commitment to its patients but also to its employees through investment in the latest technology that will make it even easier for employees to provide top quality patient care 24/7.
“The unit is very nice. It’s more up-to-date and we have more resources. Everything is accessible within the patient room, you don’t have to move equipment in and out. Meds, charting, supplies – it’s all already in there,” says Jessie Dominique, respiratory therapist at NSUH. Her fellow respiratory therapist Margarette Timothee agrees, “It really makes our work easier.”
With 18 private rooms for its patients, the unit will focus on delivering care for trauma, liver transplants, colorectal surgeries, pancreatic islet cell surgeries and other complex surgeries. It will also work to support NSUH’s Level I trauma center.
“I can already see the benefits of the new and updated technology for the patients,” says Jaclyn Gomez, registered nurse at NSUH. “The bigger rooms are nice and having things like wireless technology and medicine securely available in the room really helps the patient experience.”
The new unit uses innovative technology that enhances the patient’s experience, while also ensuring that staff members have access to advanced equipment and technology to ensure they can provide priority patient care with ease. A few examples include ground-breaking eICU systems, which provide immediate access to telehealth support and around-the-clock patient monitoring. Other innovative enhancements include advanced lighting, glass privacy windows instead of curtains to reduce the spread of germs, an infrared badge system that shows when a patient is being attended to and by who, and a new patient lift technology for safe patient handling.
Are you Made for delivering exceptional care with state-of-the-art technology? Explore jobs at North Shore University Hospital.
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Trust, honor and dedication – All in a day’s work for physical therapist and veteran Leslie Rudin
If you had to describe members of the US military, the adjectives brave, selfless and strong probably come to mind. It’s no surprise that many who leave the service go on to equally as inspiring careers — including many who work in healthcare. This is certainly true of Leslie Rudin, a physical therapist at LIJ Valley Stream Hospital and proud US Navy veteran.
Stationed at the former Naval Air Station Miramar, widely known as the setting of the movie Top Gun, Leslie served as a plane captain, launching and landing fighter jets. Honorably discharged as a YN3 Petty Officer 3rd Class, she returned to New York and completed a bachelor’s degree at Queen’s College before launching a career in advertising.
During this time, Leslie also married and started a family. When her middle son was diagnosed with autism, she found herself drawn to pursue a new career in healthcare. Goal-oriented and never afraid to tackle a challenge, she obtained her doctorate degree in physical therapy before being hired at LIJ Valley Stream.
Leslie finds that many of the skills and habits she learned while in the military have served her well as a physical therapist.
“It started from making beds in the military,” says Leslie. “It stays with you. I’m very thorough and time-efficient. In fact, I still use military time.”
Leslie also finds that being a veteran enables her to connect in a unique way with the patients she helps every day – especially those who also have served in the armed forces. She believes that it fosters a level of trust and connection that helps her excel in her role.
“I learned respect and dignity in the military,” says Leslie. “This has carried over to how I treat patients.”
When not focusing on helping Northwell patients regain their strength, balance and mobility, Leslie continues to advocate for her son while enjoying quality time with family and friends.
Northwell Health is sponsoring Side by Side: A Celebration of Service™, a special, first-of-its-kind event honoring our veterans, active duty military and their families. This two-part event, taking place on May 25 in New York City, will feature exciting musical performances, exhibits and inspirational stories from true heroes. Learn more.
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10 ways we celebrated Nurses Week at Northwell Health
With 16,000+ nurses across Long Island, New York City, Staten Island and Westchester, there were thousands of reasons to celebrate Nurses Week at Northwell Health. Nurses Week is a time for nurses to reflect on the countless lives they’ve touched throughout the year and honor the differences they’re making for patients, families and coworkers. Celebrations across the organization recognized the dedication, skill and compassion that RNs provide 365 days a year. Nurses Week is not only a celebration but a true representation of Northwell’s culture and commitment to our nurses. See below for only 10 of the many ways we celebrated Nurses Week. Also, explore job opportunities and apply to join our creative, fun and compassionate nursing team.
1. Walked the red carpet
To kick off the week, many of our locations gave our nurses the celebrity treatment. Rolling out the red carpet let each nurse take center stage as they arrived to work.
2. Recognized outstanding team members with awards
Our nurses are Made for delivering outstanding care and there are countless records of nurses going above and beyond for their patients. Sites across the system honored some of their brightest stars at their Center of Excellence Ceremonies with various awards from Rookie Awards to Humanism Awards to the prestigious Zuckerberg Award. Hearing the amazing stories about the nominees and winners recognized their compassionate care while inspiring other nurses.
3. Food, food, and more food!
From ice cream sundaes to hot breakfasts, nurses were spoiled with sweet and savory treats. Hospitals and ambulatory locations brought in every type of food imaginable throughout both the day and night shifts. Not only did it keep our nurses well-fed but it provided them with an opportunity to celebrate and bond with their fellow nurses.
4. Took time for wellness and self-care
Just as our nurses are committed to caring for their patients, Northwell is committed to the wellbeing of our team members! Nurses were able to take time to relax and unwind in a variety of ways–from relaxing with our pet therapy dogs to enjoying Reiki and massage therapy. Some sites also hosted lessons on stress management techniques and self-care workshops to empower our nurses throughout the year.
5. Fun in photobooths
In between rounds, nurses were able to have fun in photo booths and take pictures with coworkers to create photographic memories of all the fun they had throughout the week.
6. Dressed up for Spirit Days
Hospitals and locations throughout Northwell hosted a crazy scrub week, a favorite sports team day, college swag night, and more, to let nurses share their interests beyond scrubs. Some even dressed up in their best Florence Nightingale costume in celebration of one of the most famous nurses!
7. Won big with our basket raffles
The basket raffles during Nurses Week are legendary across Northwell for not only their big prizes but the creativity and teamwork that goes into them. Many sites hosted themes for their basket raffles and the enthusiastic nursing teams worked together to fill and decorate their baskets. After voting and announcing a winner, the prizes then went home with lucky nurses from each unit who won.
8. Listened to keynote presentations from Phyllis Quinlan PhD, RN-BC
Northwell’s Phyllis Quinlan PhD, RN-BC spoke to nurses at Peconic Bay Medical Center, Northern Westchester Hospital, and Cohen Children’s Medical Center to help teach them self-care practices and to develop their emotional intelligence. “Nurses are among the most generous people on the planet,” says Phyllis. “Their ability to turn their compassionate nature into the action we call caregiving is a precious gift that they are willing share. It is vital to make time to reconnect,, refresh, celebrate and rejuvenate.”
9. Blessing of the Hands
The Blessing of the Hands is a voluntary non-denominational tradition that recognizes and unites nurses around the world who use their hands daily in the caring of patients. During this special ceremony, warm water is gently poured over the nurses’ hands to refresh and renew their spirit and help their hands continue to heal those that they touch.
10. Spent time together
And most importantly, our nurses were able to spend time Truly Together! Throughout all our activities, nurses reflected on the results of their teamwork and hard work the past year and energized them for the year ahead. At Northwell, our nursing units aren’t just coworkers, they’re family.
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Northwell rated No. 2 health system for diversity
Northwell Health has been named one of the nation’s top health systems for diversity, ranking second nationally and No. 1 in New York State, according to DiversityInc’s top Hospitals & Health Systems for Diversity list.
This achievement marks Northwell’s seventh straight year making the list, jumping up the rankings from last year’s No. 5 placement. DiversityInc’s extensive annual survey yields an empirically driven ranking based on talent results in the workforce and management, senior leadership accountability, talent programs, workplace practices, philanthropy and supplier diversity.
“America has gained strength from the generations of immigrants who have assimilated their cultural beliefs and unique skills into the fabric our country,” said Michael J. Dowling, Northwell Health’s president and CEO. “At Northwell, we also believe that our strength as an organization comes from the diversity of our employees and the communities we serve. This recognition is testament to our commitment.”
This is the second such honor in recent months for Northwell, which was named a Fortune Best Workplace for Diversity. Northwell ranks 80th on the annual 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity list, a partnership between Fortune and Great Place to Work that measures how well organizations create inclusive cultures for women, different cultural and ethnic communities, the LGBTQ community, older employees and workers with disabilities.
DiversityInc’s recognition reaffirms our approach to be representative and inclusive of all the communities the health system and its 68,000 employees serves.
“Receiving this recognition validates Northwell Health’s commitment to integrating the tenets of diversity, inclusion and health equity into our health care delivery model and essential to customizing care to improve health outcomes,” said Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, chief diversity and inclusion officer and senior vice president of the health system’s Center for Equity of Care. “Providing culturally-sensitive healthcare and fostering an inclusive workplace is integral to the partnership with our patients on the journey to improved health and wellness.”
The latest DiversityInc rankings reflect new metrics tied to questions that connect talent programs and workplace practices to desired talent results. The analysis also addressed the intersectionality of race by analyzing women and men representation of each race/ethnicity separately, rather than combined. Northwell also was ranked in the top 50 employers recognized for fostering an inclusive work place for members of the LGBT community.
“As a health care organization, we at Northwell health live our values – we are truly ourselves, and in doing so, seek to build trusted partnerships with our diverse patients and communities,” said Michael Wright, Northwell’s vice president of diversity and health equity.
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Day in the life: A specimen and the laboratory professionals who help diagnose outcomes at Core Lab
When you get blood drawn, there are a number of professionals who interact with your specimen to get the results necessary for continuing your care. From the phlebotomist who draws your blood to the clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) who analyzes your result, clinical laboratory professionals are the backbone of helping doctors to diagnose illness.
Northwell’s new state-of-the-art Core Lab performs 20 million routine tests that Northwell performs annually within our laboratories and hospitals. Spanning 101,000 square-feet, it’s the largest health system-based lab in the region and the largest Roche chemistry and hematology line of its kind in North America.
We followed the route a specimen takes and met with the lab team members who play a vital role in the outcomes.
The Phlebotomist draws the specimen
Before any testing can occur, the specimen needs to be collected. Northwell’s phlebotomists meet with patients to draw their blood at the beginning of their care. “It’s the first step for everything medical,” says Bulah Martin, lead phlebotomist who has worked at Northwell for more than 10 years. Once the blood has been drawn, phlebotomists like Bulah let it clot before placing it in the centrifuge, scanning it in the system, and preparing it for transport. From there it’ll head to Core Lab for routine testing like abnormal cell screens and white blood cell counts.
The Transporter moves the specimen
After the blood is taken, the specimen has to travel from one of Northwell’s centers to our Core Lab. That’s where staff professionals who are transporters come in. Picking up the samples, they’re able to make sure that the specimens are delivered in a timely and safe manner. “It goes beyond driving and transporting specimens,” says Gavendra Kuarlall, route service representative, “we’re part of helping patients at the onset of their medical needs.”
Lab Accessioner processes the specimen
Now that the specimen has been delivered, it’s time for processing. Lab accessioners have the important job of entering the specimen’s information, verifying the information to ensure accuracy, and sorting it into the right department. “Making sure the samples are correct and accurate impacts the patient care,” says Claudia Coronado, a senior accessioner who has worked at Northwell for more than 11 years, “and we take pride in what we do.”
Once the specimen has been processed and sorted, runners get the specimens where they need to go. A runner at the Core Lab, however, won’t have much need to actually run. This state-of-the-art facility has two parallel automatic testing lines to efficiently transport specimens for the laboratory’s chemistry and hematology testing.
Clinical Laboratory Scientists analyze the specimen
Advanced robotics testing systems and automatic testing lines within departments like Hematology allow clinical laboratory scientists to focus on monitoring accuracy and quality. “I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field using my scientific knowledge,” says Kelly Kim, a technical specialist in Hematology, Coagulation and Analysis. “This field is perfect for putting both together.”
Blood Bank Technologists analyze the specimen
Certain testing may require interaction with a blood bank technologist, like Trisha Jaikaran, who tests the sample for blood type, blood screens, and antibody screens. At the Core Lab, they test mainly the OB-GYN patient population and work with the doctors and Client Services to deliver patients their results.
“Being part of the Core Lab, you have the opportunity to learn about the other side of patient care,” says Trisha who has worked at Northwell for nearly three years, “The knowledge you gain from the more experienced technologists is great. There’s a lot of theoretical work beyond just the automated tests – you’re learning something new every day. It keeps you on your toes.”
Lab Client Services team provides specimen testing updates
When the specimen is done with testing, it’s time for the patients to get their results. That’s where Client Services come in. This team acts as a liaison between the clinical laboratory and the doctors. Handling around 2,000 inbound calls a day, Client Services helps doctors who are looking for results, status updates, pick-ups, or additional information. Suzana Mathew, an educator who has worked in Client Services for six years, likens it to being a detective, “There can be a lot of mystery solving to get the right answers for the doctors. I enjoy the technical side where I can help doctors understand their results, track down the answers they need and assist with next steps.”
As an educator, Suzana works with new employees through their six months of training and offers support beyond that period. “Working in Client Services is a great place to start because as you grow, you learn about every part of the lab. It trains you to be a well-rounded professional.”
While getting blood results may seem simple, there are a lot of clinical laboratory team members working behind the scenes to ensure results are delivered accurately, timely, and safely. From sample to results, our laboratory professionals work together to deliver the best patient care possible.
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Day in the life: Lab Technologist at Southside Hospital
Working as a laboratory technologist at Southside Hospital for 40 years, Emilie Moyse considers herself part of the evolution of lab. Emilie, or as her coworkers affectionately call her, Emmy, works 8am-4pm at Southside every Monday through Friday where her expertise and positive attitude have made her a staple to the clinical laboratory team.
To keep their skills sharp, Southside’s lab technologists rotate through the different departments on a weekly basis. This week, Emmy is working in Hematology where she’ll analyze blood samples and deliver lab results that will help doctors determine patient care. We followed her to see a day in a life as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) also known as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) at Southside Hospital.
Arriving to the lab, Emmy likes to start each day by greeting each of her coworkers to set the mood for a good day. After putting on her lab coat, Emmy’s ready for the morning rounds.
Morning rounds for our doctors mean morning rounds for our lab! Specimens come in and are received by lab processors like Michelle Zambrano. Michelle processes and distributes the specimens from the floor and operating room to the laboratory technologists in different departments, such as Emmy in Hematology.
Differential slide means Emmy uses the microscope to identify white and red blood cell counts to help doctors deliver the right diagnoses to patients. “I love working in Hematology and learning more and more. It’s very manual and detail-oriented. I get excited to come to work and help the patients. I get to make sure the patients aren’t waiting for the results they need.”
Emmy relies on coworkers like fellow MLT, Geolina Turkonje, as much as she supports them. “Working together, we can accomplish a lot and I care for all of my coworkers like a big family. Southside has become my second home. I would encourage anyone to come here.” Emmy’s worked alongside Geolina for eight years – a friendship that’s helped the days pass quickly.
With the lab inside the hospital, it means that sometimes results are needed quickly. When a patient’s specimen comes in labeled “special handling” or “stat” the laboratory technologists know that they need to analyze the samples as quickly as possible. Doctors wait for critical lab results so that they can treat the patients. “Patients cannot wait,” says Emmy.
Luckily, Southside Hospital has a lot of innovative technology to help lab technologists get the quick results they need. “The most amazing thing here are our analyzers,” says Emmy, “I’m very proud and fortunate to see all the changes in technology we have. It’s good for the laboratory and patients – and it’s good for us too. We’re faster and more accurate. What used to take us a half hour now takes us five or ten minutes.”
Given her extensive experience, Emmy also spends a lot of time training within the lab. Here she oversees a new lab technologist, Stefani Gomez, as she prepares blood samples on slides. “Working here is a great opportunity,” says Emmy, “You have so much to learn and there are technologists who have been here a long time and are willing to help you.”
In between analyzing specimens, Emmy stops to pick up a ringing phone. “When everyone is so busy, you have to help each other out,” she explains. “Answering the phone when a clerk is busy not only helps them, but it’s important. The calls could be impacting patient care.”
“I’ve been here a long time and have seen a lot of change for the better,” says Emmy. “I feel very privileged to be here and be part of that evolution. Our leadership has made a big difference in the lab.” Leadership like Laurie Birnbaum, admin director of the Clinical Laboratory at Southside Hospital who Emmy stops to review metrics with before heading out for the day. “If you have a problem, you can tell Laurie and she will always help you. She’s always looking out for her employees and for the lab. She’s very considerate, caring and loving. We’re very lucky to have her as our director here.”
Join Emmy and the whole Clinical Laboratory team at Southside Hospital. Apply today!
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Meet our Truly Ambitious PA Jennifer Megale
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a central Northwell Health value. This month, we’re proud to introduce you to Jennifer Meagle, Supervising Physician Assistant in the Department of Surgery/Surgical Critical Care/Otolaryngology at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), who is a “Truly Ambitious” member of our team. Read below to learn why and explore ACP job opportunities at Northwell Health here:
Jennifer Megale, dog lover, athlete, and world traveler, loves an adventure. When she’s not addressing critical care needs as PA Supervisor at NSUH, she spends her time with her Rhodesian Ridgeback Penny, scuba diving and snowboarding all over the world.
Her adventure in health care began in 2011, following her college graduation and the start of her career as a per diem Surgery PA and soon full-time at NSUH where she worked for several years.
Jennifer returned to Northwell as Surgery PA Supervisor in 2018 and says it’s where her heart belongs. “What I have always loved about NSUH is the sense of family. Even though we are a large hospital everyone has always been so welcoming and transparent, including administration. You don’t see this very often at other large health systems. The organization is always looking for ways to help their employees grow and succeed,” says Jennifer.
As a Surgery PA Supervisor, she has been responsible for building a new total parenteral nutrition service, setting up a bioskills surgical course for PAs, and working on a robotics training course. Jennifer is continuously looking for ways to improve patient care, encouraging PAs to take on a more proactive role in their education and skills development. Jennifer says, “This past year, I arranged for a surgical physician assistant’s Bioskills lab, where PAs are learning to build on their operative and suturing skills. Making PAs more confident in their own ability truly helps them to adequately care and address all of the concerns of our patients.”
Surgical PAs at NSUH assist in minimally invasive robotic surgery. During robotic surgeries, PAs function as the bedside assist. Jennifer explains, “we are needed to change instruments, troubleshoot and use an assist port to help with the operation. Robotic surgery provides a number of benefits to the patient including less trauma to the body, minimal scarring, and faster recovery.”
Jennifer’s great adventure isn’t only in the OR. She’s an avid traveler with the intention of visiting every continent over the next five years, and with only three left to go, she’s almost reached her goal! She says, “I’m an intense snowboarder and I checked heliboarding off my bucket list two years ago at Whistler Mountain in Canada. To be dropped off at the top of a mountain by helicopter was exhilarating, to say the least!”
For Jennifer, providing Truly Ambitious care is her next great adventure. Are you Made for working with exceptional Advanced Clinical Providers like Jennifer? Explore your career opportunities at Northwell Health.
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2019 Spark! Challenge Awards Ceremony. And the winners are…
Last week, more than 900 people including Northwell team members, faculty and 11th and 12th grade high school students from Long Island, Staten Island, Westchester and New York City gathered to participate in the 5th annual Spark! Challenge Awards Ceremony.
The Spark! Challenge offers high school students a unique opportunity to join one of the 74 participating Northwell departments for a day in the fall and learn hands-on about clinical and non-clinical healthcare careers from our team members. After the students’ Spark! visit, they were asked to design a poster that represents the career they learned about. This year students learned about careers such as:
- Athletic Trainer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Clinical Laboratory Specialist
- Colorectal Surgeon
- Construction Project Manager
- Corporate Lawyer
- CRNA
- Hospital Executive Chef
- Medical Simulation Tech
- Paramedic
- Patient Experience Director
- Pharmacist
- Physician’s Assistant
- Research
- Talent Sourcing Specialist
- Ultrasound Technician
- And so much more!
During the spring Awards Ceremony, students gave a two-minute presentation to Northwell’s senior executives and answered questions on one career they learned about during their site visit. Students were also able to test out their surgical skills with the da Vinci Xi Surgical System Robot, which is used in Northwell’s operating rooms for minimally invasive surgeries, play with therapy dogs and try their hand in a life-size Operation game.
After presentations, judges deliberated and more than $30,000 in prizes were awarded to the winners for student posters and presentations. We’re proud to announce that the winners of this year’s Spark! Challenge are….
Poster Awards (picked prior to the Awards Ceremony)
- First Place: John F. Kennedy – Bellmore-Merrick- Glen Cove Hospital – Operating Room
- Second Place: General Douglas MacArthur High School- Corporate Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO)
- Third Place: Valley Stream Central High School- Orzac Center for Rehabilitation
- Facebook Favorite Poster voted on by thousands of Northwell team members: Baldwin High School – LIJ Valley Stream – Operating Room
- Poster Rookie Award: Division Avenue High School, Corporate Legal Affairs
- Poster Honorable Mention: Stella K. Abraham High School - North Shore University Hospital – Pharmacy
- Poster Honorable Mention: Baldwin High School- Corporate Risk Management
Presentation Winners:
Presentation Award
- Baldwin High School- LIJ Valley Stream- Operating Room
- Tottenville High School- Staten Island University Hospital: South Campus
- Holy Trinity High School- Community Health
- Amityville High School - South Oaks Hospital
- Glen Cove High School- Plainview Hospital: Emergency Department
- Patchogue-Medford High School- Southside Hospital
Presentation Award- Honorable Mentions
- Uniondale High School- Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation
- Baldwin High School - Northwell Health Physician Partners: Urogynecology at Bay Shore
- Valley Stream South High School - Equity of Care
- Patchogue-Medford High School – Northwell Health Venue Development
- Massapequa High School - LIJ Medical Center: Emergency Department
- Bay Shore High School- Family Medicine Department
Congratulations to all this year’s winners! To see all careers and schools that participated click here.
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5 STEM healthcare careers for students to explore
The need for students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers is greater than ever and for good reason. Between 2000 and 2010, STEM-related jobs grew three times as fast as non-STEM jobs – a rate projected to increase.
You may be left wondering what STEM jobs you can pursue. STEM careers go beyond just being a doctor or an engineer – the opportunities are endless! So what are some of the major STEM careers you should be exploring?
1. Imaging
Imaging technologists are Allied Health professionals that complete a two or four year program from accredited college. Graduates are licensed by the NYS Department Of Health or registered or certified in a sub-specialty area to perform diagnostic imaging examinations. Using the most advanced imaging equipment, imaging professionals are trained to produce high-quality images that enable the Radiologist (physician) to make a critical diagnosis. Without their expertise, care teams wouldn’t be able to diagnose and treat patients effectively.
You can enjoy the flexibility to choose additional specializations such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, nuclear medicine, mammography and more. And as an imaging professional, you’d have the ability to work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, diagnostic labs, and ambulatory centers.
Careers to consider:
- Ultrasound Technologist
- Radiology Technologist
- CT/MRI Technologist
- Mammography Technologist
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Special Procedures Technologist
2. Certified Surgical Technologist
Surgical technologists have the important task of prepping patients for surgery and ensuring the operating room’s equipment has been sterilized and properly stocked with supplies. Your job as a surgical technologist doesn’t end there – you’d remain in the OR to assist surgeons throughout the surgery and then help to dress wounds. At Northwell, Registered Nurses and the Certified Surgical Technologist function as a subunit within a team, interacting through a unique, dynamic relationship—one sterile role and one nonsterile role, working in collaboration.
Job opportunities for surgical technologists are on the rise as the growth in population and technology leads to an increase in the frequency of surgical procedures. Completing a surgical technologist certification program usually takes around two years, allowing you the unique chance to quickly scrub into your first surgery after school.
3. Research
Becoming a doctor or nurse isn’t the only option for science majors to join the healthcare industry! Research careers enable professionals to work in programs and partnerships that help study, test and improve clinical breakthroughs. Medical research also includes working on some of the most exciting technology to treat disease and injury, such as bioelectronic medicine. Not all research careers are clinical either – as a medical researcher you can work in engineering, statistics, and more.
Join together research and technology as part of a team working on cutting-edge discoveries in areas such as health outcomes research, translational science, behavioral science and more. As a member of the research team, you’d also have the ability to work on breakthroughs in major diseases from cancer to lupus to sepsis. Your work could help discover new treatments, therapies and technologies for patients to live a healthier life.
Careers to consider:
- Associate Research Statistician
- Post Doc Research Trainees
- Investigator
- Research Coordinator
- Electrical Engineer
- Computer Scientists
- Neurophysiologists
4. Telemetry Technicians
Telemetry technicians, also called monitoring technicians or electrocardiograph technicians (EKG or ECG), are important allied health professionals. These technicians use non-invasive electrocardiographic equipment to monitor patients’ heart rhythms and alert nurses and physicians to changes in the patient’s rate, rhythm and the occurrence of dysrhythmias while on the Telemetry Unit.
Working as a telemetry technician allows you to work within a hospital using advanced technology. There are also increasing opportunities for you to deliver compassionate care to patients within a hospital or ambulatory setting. And training programs prepare you for entering the healthcare industry in just a few months!
5. Clinical Laboratory Scientist
To become a clinical laboratory scientist you must obtain your bachelor’s degree from an accredited clinical laboratory science program, pass your ASCP national certification exam and then become licensed by New York State Education Department (NYSED) to practice. As a clinical laboratory scientist, you can work in exciting fields such as:
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Cytogenetics
- Chemistry
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Blood Bank
- Immunology
- Flow Cytometry
Fun fact, Northwell has two brand new, state-of-the-art labs. Our Core Lab/Automated Lab is the largest health system-based lab in the region with the largest Roche automated line of its kind in North America, and one of the largest in the world. Our new Microbiology Lab that has the largest Kiestra Micro automated line in the U.S!
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Michele Avent
Nurse Practitioner, Gastrointestinal
"I‘m Made for making a difference. It’s very rewarding to me to help someone and see the positive changes in their lives."
Stephany Charles
OB Technician
"I‘m Made for teamwork. Any department or any position that needs my assistance, I don’t mind going out and helping because we are a team here at Northwell."
Sarah Hughes
Registered Nurse, Med/Surg and Hospice
"I‘m Made for laughs because I like to see my patients smile even when they’re in tough situations."
Melissa Clarke
PCA, Emergency Department
"I‘m Made for smiling because I want to ensure that when the patient comes in, they’re always greeted with a smile. A smile goes a long way. It gives patients hope and comfort."
Dora Kakurieva
PCA, Post-Partum
"I’m Made for helping people. I love for patients to be comfortable and to learn from me and the other staff on how to care for their new babies."
Dennis Magapan
Surgical Technologist
"I‘m Made for resiliency. Being in the operating room is an adventure every day. It’s a stressful place to be but at the same time, it‘s rewarding. You’re able to help the surgeon accomplish their mission.
April Macabagdal
Registered Nurse, Critical Care
"I’m Made for being a team player. I like to boost the morale of my coworkers and push them to the max of their capabilities."
Grace Maya
Turnover Tech, OB
"I’m Made for helping people at Forest Hills Hospital."
Tova Miller
Nurse Practitioner, Internal Medicine
"I‘m Made for patient centered care. Every patient is unique and if you don’t look at patients as individuals, you won’t be able to do the best job you can in treating the patient as a whole."
Damion Kirkpatrick
PCA, Med/Surg and Telemetry
"I‘m Made for helping. Helping is so much more than it sounds - it’s a skill. It’s seeing the big picture and filling in where needed.You have to know when to help, where to help, and how to help."
Julie Minogue
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department
"I’m Made for advocating for my patients. A lot of the patients we see in New York might not have family with them and need someone to advocate for them."
Tara Morales
Registered Nurse, Labor and Delivery
"I‘m Made for preparing new moms. My job is to welcome mom into Labor and Delivery and explain to her all of the benefits of the care she’s going to receive while she’s in her labor process."
Stephanie Ortiz
Registered Nurse, ICU
"I’m Made for communication. Communication is one of the most important aspects of working at a hospital.
Dina Trotto
Nurse Educator
"I‘m Made for staff development. Staff development is important to me because it’s essential for every nurse to do what they’re best at and what they love the most. I get to know all of my nurses and find out what their goals are because I love that collaboration in getting them to where they want and need to go."
Ludney Jean Baptiste
PCA, ICU
"I’m Made for happiness. Whenever I enter a room, I make sure the patient has a smile on their face."
Margarite Soh-Choe
Registered Nurse, ICU
"I‘m Made for compassion. My compassion makes me able to put myself in the shoes of my patients and their family’s. This truly lets me provide the best care I can."
Edward Gona
Assistant Nurse Manager, Cardiac
"I’m Made for teamwork. I want to ensure all my staff work as a team in taking care of patients to give the best quality care."
Roseline Utti
Nurse Educator
"I‘m Made for love and respect. I love people and respect people’s opinions and that is what LIJ Forest Hills Hospital is all about."
The Spark! Challenge: Educating high school students for future healthcare careers
The 5th annual Spark! Challenge was larger than ever with 74 Northwell teams, and 900 students participating throughout the year! Students from high schools across Long Island, Staten Island, Westchester and New York City were able to directly experience and explore the wide variety of careers available in healthcare. By connecting students, educators, and Northwell Health professionals, the Spark! Challenge is helping to reach, engage and inspire students to consider some traditional and non-traditional healthcare careers.
We talked to Northwell team members who hosted students at their sites, as well as the teachers of the visiting schools to hear how the Spark! Challenge makes an impact on our students.
Emergency Services
Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) – North Campus
At Staten Island University Hospital’s (SIUH) North Campus, students from St. Joseph Hill Academy participated in a mock trauma with life-like mannequins. After exciting tours of the OR and ICU, students also had the opportunity to meet and talk with the surgical team.
Jennifer Pla, St. Joseph Hill Academy teacher, was impressed by the engagement the students had with the doctors and nurses, “It gave students insight into the ongoing education that is necessary for healthcare practitioners to keep their skills sharp and improve patient care. The hands-on activities in the simulation lab allowed students to learn firsthand how difficult and technical these life-saving skills are to perform correctly.”
“The mock trauma scenario provides the ED staff with necessary simulation drills and the students love the realness of the mannequin,” says Anne Marie McDonough, senior director of Rehab Services at SIUH, “Students had an in-depth opportunity to talk with the trauma surgery staff, and they asked some fabulous questions!”
Syosset Hospital
Students from Mepham High School partnered with local EMS services for a demonstration of a distracted driver with an overturned vehicle. With help from the EMS team and Syosset staff, students extracted “patients” in a hands-on scenario, then toured the emergency department and ambulance.
“We had an amazing experience that started with a simulated car accident. The fire department actually cut a ‘driver’ out of the car and followed him through the emergency department,” says Peter Steckle, Mepham High School teacher. “Students got a chance to interact with doctors and healthcare professionals to perform tasks like casting and a laparoscopic procedure. It was an experience they will never forget.”
Debra Clifford, BSN, RN, MHA, director of Patient Care Services has participated in the Spark! Challenge at Syosset Hospital for the past three years, “The Spark! Challenge provides students an opportunity through hands-on simulation to learn about careers in healthcare and has opened pathways for students to volunteer with healthcare professionals, and pursue fields that they may not have previously considered.”
Culinary
Plainview Hospital
Plainview Hospital’s Spark! Challenge visit gave Bellmore-Merrick CHSD students an interactive experience in the Food & Nutrition Department. From culinary arts and menu design to clinical nutrition and planning, students received an introduction to the culinary world in healthcare before ending the day with a cooking competition.
“Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced,” says Michael DiGiovanni, CTE teacher and chef instructor at the Culinary Hospitality Applied Management Program (CHAMP) at Bellmore-Merrick CHSD, “The lessons that our students learned from the chef, cooks, and nutritionists at Northwell made their knowledge of culinary arts real and enticing. The Spark! Challenge experience demonstrated the enjoyment and sensibility of this ever-growing industry.”
Eric Sieden, director of Nutrition and Food Services at Glen Cove, Plainview and Syosset Hospitals agreed, “Our Food & Nutrition team was so excited to be able to host and share their experiences with the culinary students. Through their interactions with the cooking staff, students were able to see how Northwell is providing nutritious-restaurant quality meals to a population that deserves and appreciates it. When I was their age, the Spark! Challenge is something I would have loved and definitely benefited from.”
North Shore University Hospital
At North Shore University Hospital, students from Baldwin High School learned about all of the different career opportunities that exist within nutrition and culinary. Team members led them in a tour of the department before challenging them to cook a healthy meal.
Donna Prager, the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Baldwin High School says, “The Spark! Challenge provides an amazing opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital atmosphere. Students have benefited from interacting with professionals in the culinary and nutrition fields and has helped many students solidify their anticipated career path.”
“The Spark! Challenge is always a great day for our team and the students. We all look forward each year to see the future of healthcare in these passionate students. They get so invested in the cook-off that we host each year,” says Michael Kiley, director of Nutrition and Dining Services at North Shore University Hospital, “It is so gratifying to hear a student determine their career by this program, and we have been fortunate enough to have students tell us that because of the Spark! program they made the decision to go to culinary school. What more can you ask for?”
Hear from our students on why they love the Spark! Challenge:
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Why being a home care nurse is so rewarding
Conducting more than 550,000 visits each year across Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island, our home care nurses at Northwell Health At Home are committed to bringing outstanding, innovative and award-winning care Northwell is known for right to the patient’s home. A commitment that has led our home care services to be recognized among the top 500 providers nationwide three years in a row by Homecare Elite and earning the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Heart Failure Certification – one of only a handful of organizations in New York State to achieve this distinction.
Serving as the link between patients with their physicians to ensure continuity of care, home care registered nurses help patients in the comfort of their own homes. Traveling to see their patients helps build a close bond between the nurse and patient while awarding greater flexibility and autonomy outside of the hospital setting.
Meet two of our team members and hear why they love being home care nurses at Northwell Health At Home.
What do you love about being a home care registered nurse?
Working as a Home Care nurse has given me the opportunity to see “behind the scenes” in my patient’s life. Many times, there are challenges at home that contribute toward a patient’s illness and access to healthcare, such as lack of transportation or the inability to read small print on medication bottles. Working in home care gives me the ability to prioritize my patients’ needs and provides flexibility in my day.
Why is the work of home care nurses so important?
As a home care nurse for Northwell Health at Home, I have the opportunity to help my patients transition easier from hospital to home. Many patients have been away from home for weeks, sometimes months, and they are overwhelmed when they arrive home. Often, they have new medications or changes they don’t understand, wounds that have not healed and different types of equipment that are required. Returning home doesn’t always mean their skilled needs have ended. Patients and their families require support and education. I can help the patient prevent another hospitalization and have the best possible outcome.
What advice do you have for people looking to become home care nurses?
When considering a career in home care, you must have flexibility as well as good communication and organizational skills. The home care nurse is responsible with coordinating all services the patient requires at home including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home health aide services and social work in conjunction with the patient’s physician. Timely follow up when changes are made in the patient’s plan of care, treatment or medications is crucial. The nurse is responsible for coordination with the multidisciplinary team on a regular basis to best meet the patient needs.
What do you love about being a home care registered nurse?
I’ve worked in a lot of different areas of nursing and for me, I feel that home care gives me the opportunity to really build a relationship with my patient and their families. It encompasses the whole picture which allows us as nurses to treat and help our patient heal better.
Why is the work of home care nurses so important?
Patients heal better at home. Home care nurses provide the proper one-on-one education, therapy, and overall care to help patients remain home and more independent.
What advice do you have for people looking to become home care nurses?
The beauty of nursing are the opportunities we are able to have in caring for patients, whether in a hospital or at home. Home care nursing is more than just medicine and diagnoses, it’s helping the patient live their best life in the place they feel the safest – home. If you enjoy a more personal relationship with your patients, it’s a great avenue.
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7 reasons why we love being a Health Information Professional
We’re celebrating the hard-working health information professionals who are a part of the Heath Information Management (HIM) team at Northwell Health. Our HIM team members work daily to acquire, analyze and protect patient medical information. With such an important job, there’s a lot to love about being a HIM professional! Check out our team members’ top seven reasons!
1. Opportunity to grow
The health information landscape is constantly changing as technology and applications advance. As health data increases, so do the possibilities for health information professionals. There are always new opportunities to advance your skills as a professional through education, state-of-the-art applications, and collaboration with other units within Northwell.
2. Driven by health data
Any information related to health conditions, quality of life, reproductive outcomes, and causes of death for an individual or population is classified as health data. Working as a health information professional allows us to analyze trends and ensure this aggregated health data is shared across our health system. By prioritizing health data, we’re helping to drive positive outcomes and experience.
3. Making a difference for our patients
Working in healthcare means we as employees have the privilege of helping patients without working inside a hospital. Although health information professionals may never meet the patients directly, they are working hard to ensure that they are not only protecting the patients’ privacy but ensuring the accuracy of their healthcare information.
4. Bridge between the hospitals and patients
A patient’s care doesn’t end when they leave a hospital. Collaborating with different units across our health system allows us to bridge a patient to their care. By helping patients get proper and speedy service to obtain their records, we’re helping the patient stay connected to the quality care they received through the completion of their treatments.
5. Continued education
Educational opportunities are promoted by health information leadership who work hard to ensure our teams have the tools and skills they need to be accurate, compliant and successful. With the support to continue our education from leadership, including access to tuition reimbursement programs through Northwell, we’re able to grow with our growing industry.
6. Teamwork and leadership
Health information professionals at Northwell aren’t just a team, we’re a family. Working truly together under the guidance of supportive leaders helps our entire team to succeed.
7. Protecting our patients
Protecting our patients goes beyond just ensuring data security, it’s protecting their care. As health information professionals, we ensure that the patient data is always accurate, secure, and available when they need it most.
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Recipe for Success: Northwell’s teaching kitchens provide nutrition education for employees
At Northwell Health, we’re committed to the health and wellness of not only our patients and the communities we serve, but our team members as well.
Food is a foundation for maintaining good health, preventing sickness and maximizing clinical benefit. To help our staff learn the power of healthy food, Northwell has established free teaching kitchens across our healthcare system.
Making Nutrition Fun
Teaching kitchens combine culinary instruction with education to help participants learn which foods they should be eating more or less of and the best techniques for cooking them. Our nutrition education covers various topics including heart health, low refined sugar and high fiber. Team members are encouraged to use the same healthy and whole ingredients that Northwell chefs are using in our hospitals’ kitchens.
Employees who attend receive hands-on instruction from Northwell chefs and have the opportunity to sample a variety of nutritious food. These chefs partner closely with Northwell’s registered dietitians to host events that are not only informative but also fun. Samantha Gitlin, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital, says: “Northwell’s teaching kitchens provide the staff and community with exciting and interesting ways to include fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients and new cooking techniques into their daily lives.”
And these aren’t your typical meals! Recipes include everything from one pot Italian quinoa to Asian lettuce wraps with avocado cilantro slaw.
Bringing People Together
“We receive a lot of positive feedback,” says Katrina Hartog, MPH, RD, CDN, CHES, clinical nutrition manager, “but the most satisfying is when a participant says they’ve never tried the featured food or item, then walks away with the recipe to make it at home and sends their colleagues to participate!” The teaching kitchens have grown in popularity, and are also leveraged for for internal team building events as well as community outreach.
These lessons are just one of the education tools organized by the Food & Nutrition teams to expand cooking confidence and nutrition education for Northwell employees. Other initiatives include recruiting and developing chef and dietitians, implementing Northwell Healthy Choice nutrition criteria and staff education.
“My favorite thing is seeing how it brings everyone in the hospital together. We get participation from doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, dietitians, food service workers, and various ancillary staff,” says Bethany O’Dea, RD, CDN, CNSC, assistant clinical nutrition manager, “it is fun seeing everyone get excited about nutrition.”
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CNO Corner – A conversation with Irene Macyk
In her career, Irene Macyk, PhD, RN, NEA-BC has always aspired to do more, “when I get comfortable in a role, I feel compelled to change it. Although there was no premeditation to lead, I was always the person to raise my hand to try something new.”
This drive to take on new challenges has led to Irene’s impressive 10-year career at Northwell. Irene started as a director of nursing education at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC), and has held various leadership positions throughout the health system. The energy and enthusiasm that she experienced in that first interview at CCMC inspired her desire to be part of the Northwell team. Today, Irene is the chief nursing officer and associate executive director for patient care services at Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH), Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat (MEETH), and Lenox Hill Greenwich Village (LHGV). Read more from our CNO Corner interview with Irene.
In what areas are Lenox Hill Hospital, MEETH and Lenox Hill Greenwich Village experiencing the most growth in nursing?
Nursing at LHH, MEETH and LHGV are experiencing growth is so many ways. Looking at quality, safety, patient experience and nurse engagement, we are in the top half of the nation for the past two years. Our professional footprint is strong with BSN rates at 93% and RN professional certification rates at greater than 40%.
Could you talk to the exciting things happening in your surgical services departments?
Over the past few years our surgical services have grown and received national recognition for excellence. We have a very active cardiothoracic program, a comprehensive neuro surgical service and a mature and well-respected orthopedic presence. Additionally our general surgery and GYN programs are continuing to innovate and challenge the status quo by implementing our enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols.
What are some key nursing initiatives in 2019 at your hospitals?
Key nursing initiatives in 2019 for LHH, MEETH and LHGV all involve continuing our evolution as a culture of excellence. In its third year, our shared governance model continues to mature and nurses are the key decision maker in how nursing practice is conducted. We have nursing quality, evidence based practice and research, education, recruitment and retention and an advance practice council. In these councils, clinical RNs and leaders work together to create a healthy, professional work environment and drive the professional image of nursing. In 2018 alone, we had over 28 evidenced based, process-improvement projects that were completed and are in different stages of dissemination. With the desire to celebrate nursing accomplishments, we put in our application for ANCCs Magnet® recognition, and this year we are gathering the sources of evidence and documenting the stories to showcase.
How can nurses take advantage of growth and professional development opportunities at LHH, MEETH and LHGV?
As members of Northwell Health, we have an entire community of support for professional development. Clinical RNs can take advantage of guidance from clinical experts in the nursing education department at LHH, or seek professional development for the various programs offered at Northwell’s Institute for Nursing (IFN) and Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI). Nurses can also become a mentor or mentee in our mentorship program or take advantage of the generous tuition reimbursement by continuing their education at a master’s degree level.
What is the most important quality to have as a nurse?
Resilience. Nursing is hard work but we are privileged to work with people in a very vulnerable time in their lives. The ability to think critically, re-prioritize at a moment’s notice and stay calm under extreme pressure are key qualities of a nurse. In any given day we laugh, we cry, are a sounding board for the frustrated and a shoulder for someone grieving. This privilege can deplete one’s empathy banks and challenge one’s spirit. Resilience is the ability to maintain one’s core purpose and integrity among unforeseen shocks and surprises, the ability to bounce back, to regain strength and come back strong.
What is the best advice you’ve learned over the course of your career?
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau
Are you Made for a nursing career at Northwell Health? Apply today!
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Celebrating National Certified Nurses Day
Celebrated on March 19th, National Certified Nurses Day is a special day that allows us to acknowledge all nurses who have gone the extra mile to earn professional certification in their specialty practice area. All of our Northwell Health nurses are committed to improving care delivery and positive outcomes for our patients and families and those who have earned professional certification exemplify their commitment through national recognition as a certified nurse!
Why get certified? Achieving certification affirms the knowledge, skill, and practice within a specialty of nursing. The certification is nationally recognized and promotes a dedication to lifelong learning that is above and beyond the state requirements to practice as a nurse.
Northwell Health boasts a nursing certification rate that is above the national average for Magnet ® hospitals.
Northwell Health offers professional development programs that support nurses in getting prepared to successfully earn certification including continuing education programs and discounts on selected certification exams. Northwell Health also recognizes professionally certified nurses through our certified RN bonus pay program.
This year, there’s even more to celebrate! Congratulations to Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN-BC, vice president of System Nursing Education and Professional Development at Northwell for being named a winner of 2019’s Certified Nurse Award by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Launette was recognized for demonstrating the value and impact of specialty certification and creating a pathway to help 16,000+ nurses at Northwell achieve certification.
“Becoming certified has been one of the proudest achievements I’ve obtained in my career and also a necessary step in the continuum of my professional growth. It has allotted me a chance to be recognized for my knowledge and skills as a nurse and has enhanced my confidence when providing care.”
“Northwell Health at Huntington Hospital made it financially possible for me to obtain dual ANCC certifications by reimbursing me for the out of pocket costs. Without this assistance it may not have been feasible for me during these difficult times. Additionally, the continuing education programs including a medical surgical certification preparation course prepared me for success.”
Congratulations to all Northwell Health Certified Nurses!
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Here’s how Sypria Bernard, MSN, RN, CNOR, went from surgical technologist to registered nurse at Northwell Health
Surgical technologists have the unique opportunity to work with a nurse inside the operating room (OR) which can lead them to a career change like it did for Sypria Bernard, MSN, RN, CNOR. “Although I loved my career as a surgical technologist, there was that spark of ambition in me that always wanted to become a nurse.” With a passion for the OR guiding her, Sypria decided to become a registered nurse and North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) was there to lend support.
Through the help of Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program*, team members like Sypria can go back to school to continue their education and progress into fields such as nursing with financial assistance. Sypria did just that and NSUH worked with her and other surgical technologists who are seeking to become RNs to help develop their skills and grow professionally. The surgical technologist program at NSUH doesn’t just prepare surgical technologists for the opportunity to go into a nursing role, it also fosters their growth in their current roles. Sypria appreciated this dual approach to her career transition, “I became proficient in sterile technique, instrumentation, and procedures and I used my expertise as a surgical technologist to enable my smooth transition into OR nursing.”
After their training, surgical techs-turned-RNs can receive additional support by NSUH through an operating room fellowship. This fellowship builds on their skills to help develop well-rounded OR nurses. The support of NSUH helped Sypria get to where she is today, “I currently hold a position as a nurse manager in the Neurosurgery OR and just completed my master’s in nursing leadership. Without the support of Northwell and NSUH this would not have been possible.”
Explore our PeriOperative opportunities and discover the career path you’re Made for.
*Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program is for eligible non-union employees. Union employees receive benefits based on their CBA.
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On the cutting edge and a slice above the rest – Who is a Histotechnologist?
Every March 10th, we celebrate Histotechnology Professionals Day to help raise awareness about the laboratory field of Histotechnology. Despite never meeting patients, histotechnologists play a vital healthcare role in helping patients receive the right diagnosis and care. These laboratory professionals are helping save lives one slide at a time.
But what does a histotechnologist do? To understand the profession, you must first understand Histology.
What is Histology?
Histology is the study of the microanatomy of cells, tissues, and organs as seen through a microscope.
A histotechnologist has advanced training in how and why specimens are collected and processed for testing. This expertise qualifies the histotechnologist to manage even unexpected situations in the laboratory, such as solving technical or instrument problems, understanding the underlying health and disease causes of unusual test results, and evaluating new laboratory techniques and procedures. Histotechnicians and histotechnologists must work quickly, as they are frequently under pressure to deliver results while the patient is in surgery. They are commonly referred to as “histotechs”.
What does a histotech do?
When the pathology lab receives the patient’s tissue sample, it is first examined and dissected by a pathologists’ assistant who will submit tissue samples in a fixative (usually formalin) to the Histology Lab for processing. Some histotechs are also able to gross small specimen biopsies for processing. This process includes a dictation of their “naked” eye description of the tissue which appears in the patient’s final report.
Colleen S. preparing to gross renal biopsies for processing.
Ana V. grossing biopsy specimens.
Histotechs work around the clock and play a large role in saving lives, but do it in an orderly fashion. The first step in tissue processing is to run the tissue sample through a series of alcohols to remove any water, clear the tissue in xylene and infiltrate the tissue sample in paraffin (wax material). The Histotech will then embed the tissue in melted paraffin, creating a “paraffin block”, which hardens to room temperature.
George S. loading cassettes in the tissue processor
Lori A. loading cassettes in the tissue processor.
Patrick F. embedding the tissue in cassettes.
Rachel R. embedding the tissue in cassettes.
The next step is for the paraffin blocks to be cut/sliced on a microtome, also known as microtomy, at paper-thin or less slices (measured in microns). This process will create a ribbon of tissue sections which is floated on a temperature-controlled, heated waterbath. The histotech will then pick up the tissue sections, placing them on a glass slide and routinely stained with special dyes that make the cell details visible under the microscope. The pathologist can now microscopically examine the tissue on the slide and determine if disease is present, or if it has spread, and help the clinician decide the best course of treatment for the patient.
Aparna G. cutting ribbons of tissue on microtome (microtomy).
Yana M. cutting ribbons of tissue on microtome (microtomy).
Cryotomy, a frozen section procedure to perform a rapid microscopic analysis/diagnosis of a fresh tissue sample, is also performed by a histotech. These samples are sent from the surgeon in the operating room, while the patient is still under anesthesia, allowing the pathologist to provide an immediate analysis/diagnosis to aid the surgeon on how to proceed with the surgery.
Histotechs can also perform more complex techniques such as enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. A histotechnologist can also teach and be a supervisor in a laboratory.
LIJ Immunohistochemistry Lab: Guillermo P., Perry A., Steve M., Danielle L
Histotechs will tell you that their work is an art form. They value precision and work with knives, chemicals and glass slides, as well as fragile, delicate instruments that require careful monitoring.
While patients do not see or speak with the lab team helping behind the scenes, the connection is still very meaningful for the histotechs. They care about the production side of their work and the quality of the slides. All histotechs will tell you they treat every specimen as if it belongs to one of their own family members waiting for their test results.
Thank you to all of Northwell’s histotechnologists!
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#BalanceforBetter: Northwell Health celebrates International Women’s Day 2019
March 8th marks International Women’s Day to celebrate women everywhere. At Northwell Health, we’re committed to fostering a diverse work environment that champions its team members regardless of gender or gender identity and where everyone can be Truly Ourselves.
In celebration, hear from some of Northwell’s amazing women and the women that inspire them daily.
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Meet our Truly Compassionate PA Chris Summers
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual that exemplifies a central Northwell Health value. This month, we’re proud to introduce you to Chris Summers, PA, QA, education coordinator and critical care specialist, who is a “Truly Compassionate” member of our team. Here’s why:
At Northwell Health, our Advanced Clinical Providers have the resources and support they need to follow their passions, wherever they lead. Chris Summers’ passion for delivering Truly Compassionate care led him from a career in the Coast Guard to one as a physician assistant in the operating room, the classroom, and into disaster areas throughout the world.
Chris started his career as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard where he was mostly involved in maritime search and rescue as well as counter-narcotic operations in the high seas of the North Atlantic. After the Coast Guard, Chris became a paramedic on the streets of New York City, eventually studying to become a physician assistant (PA). At Northwell Health, he found an environment where veterans were especially valued for their experiences and values. “Northwell Health is very pro-veteran. The health system values their experience and expertise and understands how that can translate into a veteran becoming a superior member of our healthcare team. Northwell has many programs available to assist veterans to integrate into the civilian healthcare sector and there are many veterans who are valued team members in every level of the organization,” says Chris. The healthcare experience Chris has built along his career path across a variety of Truly Compassionate positions led him to Northwell Health.
His journey with Northwell Health began in 2006 when he was hired right out of PA school to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJ). In this position, he was assigned to the CTICU where he cared for critical patients who required cardiothoracic surgery or were recovering from surgery. Chris then transitioned to the operating room, where he learned how to assist in all aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery as well as advanced bedside procedures. “In the operating room, I am a valued member of the surgical team and directly contribute to the positive outcome of our patients,” says Chris. “It’s very gratifying to be able to apply my knowledge and skills to advance the healing and treatment of our patients and to work within a supportive team environment.”
Chris enjoys that ACPs in the cardiothoracic surgery department can work at the very top of their license and are given a large amount of responsibility. They can be found anywhere from the operating room assisting in the most complex surgeries, to the floors managing the daily needs of recovering patients.
Once he became a critical care specialist, Chris felt the call to share his knowledge with his peers. Northwell recognized Chris’ gift for teaching with a promotion in 2016 to Quality Assurance and Education coordinator, which included coordinating various aspects of staff education such as a lecture series for the Thoracic Surgery service line.
Chris’ Truly Compassionate nature takes his work outside of Northwell and into the world to care for people in the most critical situations. Chris is the co-founder of NYC Medics Global Disaster Response, a team that provides a rapid expeditionary style of emergency care in disaster zones throughout the world. NYC Medics travel into remote regions by whatever means necessary to set up clinics and assist those in need, treating tens of thousands of patients of hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. “I’ve spent most of my career in some form or another in service to others and have taken care of people in a wide variety of situations. These experiences taught me that whether on a sinking ship at sea, in a disaster zone in some far-off country, on the streets of NYC or in an operating room, we all are equally susceptible to disasters, disease, trauma and the suffering these bring.”
For Chris, Truly Compassionate patient care is always at the forefront of his mind and helps him to be a better PA.
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An Appointment With: Jaclyn Schindler, Clinical Director, Medicine Service Line
Just as Northwell Health’s Medicine Service Line continues to grow so has Jaclyn’s career within the organization over the past 16 years. Today she serves as the clinical director of the Medicine Service Line, which includes more than 100 internal and family medicine practices across the New York metropolitan area..
Throughout her career, including her start as an RN patient education coordinator, Jaclyn has always felt encouraged to spread her wings by her senior nursing leaders. Nominated into the High Potential Program, she gained exposure to health care experts, skills and concepts that helped her develop professionally.
The experience Jaclyn gained throughout her tenure at Northwell has helped her lead tremendous growth in ambulatory care since 2017. Learn more from her about the Medicine Service Line and advantages of working in ambulatory practices.
Tell us about the growth of the Medicine Service Line.
Since I joined this team in 2017, the outpatient Medicine Service Line has grown in both size and scope, and today is spread geographically across Suffolk and Nassau counties, Queens and Manhattan, with partnerships in medical outpatient groups in Staten Island and Westchester.
We have doubled the amount of nursing staff, both registered nurses and nurse practitioners, as these roles have become essential to effective patient management and facilitation of access to care.
Our team is highly structured to provide support to individuals and keep everyone connected. Communication is valued and opinions are sought from all. Talent is welcomed from all areas, and existing team members are encouraged to grow through opportunities for promotion.
Could you talk about the various types of Medicine Service Line practices and locations?
The majority of Medicine Service Line practices are centered on primary care in internal and family medicine. Many specialties exist within the service line, including: endocrinology, rheumatology, GI, pulmonology, gerontology, hepatology, nephrology, infectious disease, and occupational health.
Services include preventive health measures, annual assessments, treatment of acute illness, and overall health promotion. Scope has expanded during the past decade as the focus of medicine has shifted to promoting wellness rather than solely treating illness. More care is delivered out of the hospital, and attention given to lifestyle changes and holistic measures.
A portion of our practices support academic partnerships. Medical residents treat patients in supervised clinics and participate in ongoing grant and research activity.
Thus, Medicine is the largest and most diverse service line within Northwell Health!
What types of positions are available within the Medicine Service Line?
The ambulatory team is centered around the office site, whether a two-person or 30-person practice.
The team is typically led by a practice manager, with physicians and advanced care providers (NP, PA, CNM) treating patients. Other positions include medical office assistants, licensed practical nurses, practice office associates, front desk staff, billers, and other support functions. On-site teams may also include registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, pharmacists, and behavioral health coaches.
The role of the registered nurse is shaped in ambulatory locations to add value to the patient visit and facilitate achievement of health care goals. RNs practice at the top of their license; they administer medication, provide patient counseling, and enable care through medication/treatment renewals, referrals, and preventive care services. Patients may also have “Nurse Visits” which capitalize on expertise in nursing science and allow enhanced access to provider appointments. These visits allow patients to receive care directly from nurses and may include Coumadin management, blood pressure checks, vaccination, and diagnosis-specific education.
And, there is a huge amount of behind the scenes support in the areas of project management, finance, leadership, quality review, and business development.
What are some of the advantages of working in an ambulatory practice?
Ambulatory is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for career and skill development.
Advantages include:
- Smaller teams than inpatient counterparts mean that the work environment is truly collaborative, and all disciplines learn from each other.
- Relationships developed over time with patients and their families contribute to professional reward and purpose, where one can see the effect of invested effort.
- All staff have a great impact on quality output, patient experience, patient empowerment, improved health outcomes, and quality of life for our customers.
- Cognitive and critical thinking skills, as well as engagement of technological advancements, are essential to success.
- Ambulatory setting provides work-life balance for those who wish to make a difference in health care yet have personal home and/or family obligations to juggle.
- Schedules tend to be more regular, without overnight shifts, most major holidays are off, and the weekend and evening obligations are reduced, depending on the site.
Do you have any advice for people looking to get into internal medicine?
Understand the environment. Visit a practice if you can and note what you think works or does not work. We are always looking for new solutions.
Nurses can check out the Ambulatory Nurses’ Association (AAACN) website. Ask colleagues or interviewers to describe the differences between inpatient and outpatient settings. If you are looking for a supportive role, achieve certification if offered, such as for a medical assistant.
We look for individuals who have a passion for people, and demonstrate creative thinking, excellent customer service, and the ability to work well with team members.
Are you Made for delivering care in ambulatory setting? Explore practice RN positions here.
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Photo: Northwell Health Talent Acquisition Specialists from left to right, Gisela Belinfante, Kirsten Wieckhorst, Danielle Terdick, Ali Kahen and Jennifer Carlucci Applying for a new job is an exciting time but it can come with a lot of questions. We sat down with members of our Talent Acquisition team to hear their expert opinions on the best ways to help you and your resume stand out throughout the application process. From avoiding common resume mistakes to acing your interview, hear from our recruiters on how you can shine. Watch their best tips below to prepare you to join our team in 2019!
Healthcare Career Advice: Ask a Northwell Recruiter!
1. Are there any steps a candidate can take to help their resume stand out?
2. What are some common mistakes a candidate make on their resume?
3. How can a candidate best prepare for an interview?
4. What’s your best piece of career advice?
5. Anything else candidates should know about applying for a job at Northwell Health?
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If you are an individual with a disability requesting an accommodation for the application process, please click the contact us link above to request assistance.Learn more about our hiring experience.
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