Patrick, C.R.T. & Robin, RN

Staff Profile - Patrick, C.R.T.

After 21 years in respiratory care, Patrick took a three-year break - just to try something different. He worked as a salesman for a steel pipe company. He quickly found that he missed the hands-on patient contact. He missed the closeness of working with his co-workers and caring for patients. Respiratory care is definitely Patrick's passion.

Patrick has been with The Regional Hospital team since the hospital opened in 1994. Patrick appreciates the wide variety of tasks and the high degree of skill development available at Regional.

"I am responsible for the metabolic studies which are performed weekly on each patient," explains Patrick. "We use these to maintain nutritional balance by measuring resting energy expenditures. Additionally, our team of respiratory care practitioners is trained to do both arterial and venous puncture, do EKGs and assist nursing in addition to our respiratory care responsibilities."

Patrick appreciates the rewards he receives in his chosen career.

He says, " Patients who are admitted to our hospital offer a unique challenge. They have already been deemed difficult because they have developed needs beyond those traditional hospitals are equipped to meet. I see Regional as a 'last line of defense.' We have the tools and the desire to care for this type of patient. That's what we're set up to do, and I believe we're doing a good job at it."

Staff Profile - Robin, RN

Robin joined The Regional Hospital team five years ago, bringing with her six years of critical care nursing experience

Robin has held a variety of different roles here at Regional since she first came on board. Robin began her career with Regional as a staff nurse, then moved on to become the day shift charge nurse. As a critical care nurse, Robin was attracted to Regional because what she found here was not the fast-paced, frenetic environment usually found in a critical care unit. "You really get to know the patients and you get to work with the inter-disciplinary team to see the outcome of the longer term patients," said Robin.

Robin's current position is that of Admissions and Utilization Review Coordinator. In that position Robin coordinates the admission process, insurance verification, rate negotiation and pre-authorization for patients referred from other hospitals

Robin says her biggest challenge on the job is sorting through the patient referrals to determine if they meet our admission criteria. "A lot of the case managers are not familiar with the services and care we can provide, " said Robin. As a result, Robin works very closely with the case managers to come up with the best plan of care for patients.

Robin finds her position at Regional very rewarding. "Since I started here, I've felt like part of the team - I feel like I'm supported and valued. The hospital appreciates me, and people tell me they're glad I'm here. You really don't get that support in a big hospital."

Robin also appreciates the many opportunities available at Regional. "If you're willing to become involved you can get a lot of experience and try new things. You can take on new challenges that you wouldn't get somewhere else."