Va Medical Center Work Values

Daily Duties at Va Medical Center:

Provides education through the telephone recruitment process for two separate research studies, "Context and Hippocampus in Unremitting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" and "Supression of PTSD - Related Information-Processing Biases". Potential subjects are contacted by the Study Coordinator in their response from a recruitment letter they received, or the Study Coordinator telephones them in response to her receiving a form sent back to her in the mail expressing their interest in hearing more about the study. 93 subjects were recruited for "The Hippocampus in Unremitting PTSD Study " over a 4 1/2 year time-frame. Subjects were involved in any 3 components to the study that subjects were eligible to participate in: the Diagnostic Interview, The Neurocognitive Testing Component, and the MRI. Prepared subjects and ran subjects through the Neurocognitive Component, the Water Maze and Transverse Patterning Protocol, as well as collects data on these tasks. An additional Neurocognitive component had been added to this study in collaboration with another Principal Investigator at another VA Medical Center in New Jersey. Ongoing continued practice was to contact subjects who participated in the "Context and the Hippocampus in unremitting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" to see if they were willing/interested in coming back to participate in the add-on Neurocognitive component to the study which involved 6 Apple computer tasks. 53 of the 93 subjects were recruited and ran through the add-on component of the study. Prepares subjects for the ERP Laboratory by setting up electrodes on the subject's scalp to record and collect their brain responses for the "Supression of PTSD-Related Information Processing Biases". Carries out her duties while maintaining research compliance. Involved in the recruitment process for funded projects. Coordinates the scheduling of subjects for various components of research studies. Utilizes the consent process for the basis of assessing and educating the study participants about the research they are participating in. Enters progress notes and maintains accurate records. Promotes privacy and confidentiality of information written, verbal, or electronic. Thinks and acts with innovation and creativity in problem solving and scientific inquiry. Interacts and demonstrates effective interpersonal skills to carry out Research protocol and promote achievement of positive patient outcomes. Recognizes the importance of customer satisfaction and consistently uses new practices that better meet customer service needs. Many of the subjects who have participated in a research study in which Ms. Ross served as the study Coordinator, keep ongoing communication with her to receive her assistance in meeting their goals or contact her to be available to assist/participate in future research studies in an effort to help other veterans.Integrates customer service to include patient and staff/research team in the management/performance plan. Efforts to meet customer and staff needs carry over with the ability to recruit subjects for other studies.

What they like about Va Medical Center:

Working in an organization that is technologically advanced, creative, and innovative is critical in your assessment of hiring companies. Less important to you are stability of the organization, the length of time an organization has been in business, and the business' plans for the future. You prefer a fast-moving company that will take risks to achieve its goals and objectives. The length of time the company has been in business is irrelevant. Maintaining status quo is unnecessary. You thrive on change, uncertainty and the upside of potential business risks, especially those associated with innovation. Stability for the long haul is not nearly as important as is working in an atmosphere that is charged with a sense of urgency and constant change.

Tags

Registered Nurse, Nurse Management, Medical Specialty Services, Research Study Coordinator, Pulmonology, Community-based nursing services, Electronic health record documentation, Self-directed and motivated, Demonstrates and promotes professional and personal integrity, Respects each patient, Ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with patients and their family members, Strong interpersonal skills, Leadership in the application of the nursing process, Collaborates with other professionals across disciplines both within and outside the Medical Center, Acts as a consultant within the clinical practice area, Creative approaches to enhance quality of care and productivity of providers, Public relations efforts continue through active participation with community groups providing ongoing education

Skills

Leadership skills in the application of the nursing process, Interpersonal skills, Customer service skills, Communication skills, Professional and personal integrity, Strong work ethic, Promotes respect for patients, Courteous, Self-motivated, Self-directed, Creative thinking, Visionary, Proactive, Attention to detail, Organizational skills, Develops collaborative working relationships, Educator, Timely, Accurate, Promotes positive patient outcomes, Provides leadership in addressing ethical issues, Establishes and accomplishes goals, Shares expertise both within and outside the Medical Center, Contributes to customer satisfaction, Personal commitment to nursing excellence, Delivers quality care to patients

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with Va Medical Center: