Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 - (Page 35)

California, office. “This is my second time here. I love the area and plan on making my permanent home here.” Generally speaking, Kelli’s initial patient visit lasts 2 hours. During this time, she completes a full physical and mental assessment, reviews medical history, and discusses proposed care plans that she develops directly with physicians and surgeons. “Upon patients’ entry into my service, there is an approved treatment agenda in place,” she says. “It is my responsibility to evaluate how likely they are to follow instructions or how much assistance the family is able to offer. In the beginning, I’ll schedule visits every day for 3 to 5 days. Next, I will reduce them to three times a week for a while and then—if patients are progressing the way they should— down to a just couple of times a week.” “For the first time in my 30-plusyear career, I feel like I am giving back to the community.” – Kelli Roig, RN As the only provider on the scene, much of the decisionmaking is left to Kelli. While she views this as a professional benefit, it mandates a great deal of confidence in her abilities. “In this environment, your assessment skills are everything. You have to know what patients need or where a problem is headed because if you do not, your care plan will fail.” She enlists an arsenal of equipment to aid her in this endeavor. “I install Telehomecare monitors in patients’ homes that meet a predetermined criteria, which measure and record blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and a patient’s weight,” she states.“This equipment transmits data electronically to the home health agency’s office. That information allows me to know what is going on with patients when I am not present. When there is an abnormal reading, I am notified and can follow-up.” Although she opts to primarily stay on the West Coast, Kelli is confident she could have her choice of locations as a traveler specializing in home health.“Do not limit yourself,” she advises other mobile providers. “Ask your agency about home health possibilities, if you are ready for a change. If you look for these types of assignments, you will find them.” Appreciating people’s differences Nursing homes or long-term care facilities have always been nurse and allied health employers. Traditionally, the residents are older people with a variety of conditions who require care. With the largest segment of the general population entering retirement age, industry analysts foresee an even greater need for long-term care options and practitioners to provide services to these patients. When Karen Sinclair, DPT, PT, was a physical therapy student, however, she envisioned herself helping athletes June 2008 Healthcare Traveler Circle Career Card No. 605 35 http://www.bannerhealth.com http://www.bannerhealth.com

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Healthcare Traveler - June 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes You Said It Cover Story: Day Trippin' A Matter of Choice Clinical Highlights Drug Update When In... On Assignment Name It Advertisers' Index Travel Tips Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Going the Distance Starter's Kit Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - June 2008

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