May 2024 Honoree
Patient Care Specialists
The Patient Care Specialist (PCS) team is the most versatile team in the Lehigh Valley Health Network. Currently, there are 43 PCSs across the southern sites. This team adjusts its daily activities based on the needs of their sites and the organization.
During the recent surge in December 2023 and January 2024, the team was committed to staffing the Express Admissions Unit at the Cedar Crest site from 0500–2100, Monday through Friday, helping to ease the holds in the Emergency Department. PCSs from both Muhlenberg and Hecktown Oaks sites also assisted in this initiative.
Continuous onboarding of STOGO RNs since October, as well as intermittent contracting with Travel RNs, necessitates adjustment of priorities on a weekly and sometimes daily basis to ensure that these staff members are oriented and validated appropriately. This onboarding takes a minimum of four to six hours and is most often accomplished on a one-to-one basis. When able, this team works together to accomplish these required validations.
This team readily covers for each other during PTO, leaves of absence, and vacancies. There is a TigerConnect group, including PCSs from all hospital sites, which serves as a go-to place for questions, concerns, and clarifications. The cohesiveness of the PCS group is exhibited through this TigerConnect group and the timely responses and support they provide through this communication channel.
The PCS group is critical to the dissemination of policy, process, and equipment changes. They work elbow-to-elbow with staff to support them through changes, track their education, and, behind the scenes, serve on critical network councils where these decisions are made.
The PCS team also encourages the professional development of staff by facilitating aspects of the Nurse Residency Program, namely Tales at the Bedside and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) projects. They oversee and encourage staff involvement in unit-based committees.
Overall, I truly believe that this is the BEST TEAM in the network! I verbalize that feeling every chance I get. They are being recognized for their daily, ongoing efforts to provide quality patient care throughout LVHN.
During the recent surge in December 2023 and January 2024, the team was committed to staffing the Express Admissions Unit at the Cedar Crest site from 0500–2100, Monday through Friday, helping to ease the holds in the Emergency Department. PCSs from both Muhlenberg and Hecktown Oaks sites also assisted in this initiative.
Continuous onboarding of STOGO RNs since October, as well as intermittent contracting with Travel RNs, necessitates adjustment of priorities on a weekly and sometimes daily basis to ensure that these staff members are oriented and validated appropriately. This onboarding takes a minimum of four to six hours and is most often accomplished on a one-to-one basis. When able, this team works together to accomplish these required validations.
This team readily covers for each other during PTO, leaves of absence, and vacancies. There is a TigerConnect group, including PCSs from all hospital sites, which serves as a go-to place for questions, concerns, and clarifications. The cohesiveness of the PCS group is exhibited through this TigerConnect group and the timely responses and support they provide through this communication channel.
The PCS group is critical to the dissemination of policy, process, and equipment changes. They work elbow-to-elbow with staff to support them through changes, track their education, and, behind the scenes, serve on critical network councils where these decisions are made.
The PCS team also encourages the professional development of staff by facilitating aspects of the Nurse Residency Program, namely Tales at the Bedside and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) projects. They oversee and encourage staff involvement in unit-based committees.
Overall, I truly believe that this is the BEST TEAM in the network! I verbalize that feeling every chance I get. They are being recognized for their daily, ongoing efforts to provide quality patient care throughout LVHN.
Thank you for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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