Ancillary Services Critical To Patient Care

Sidney Health Center provides a wide range of services that are critical to the diagnostics and well-being of its patients. The center provided the following information explaining those services and their role in ensuring the best possible outcome for patients. They also provided training and education requirements for those positions.

Laboratory

“We are the science behind the medicine,” shared Danielle Russell, Sidney Health Center Laboratory Director.

The Laboratory provides a wide range of critical diagnostic services essential for the well-being of Sidney Health Center patients. From chemistry and hematology to serology, coagulation, microbiology, urinalysis, and blood banking, we cover all aspects of diagnostic testing. These services are vital for accurately diagnosing conditions, guiding treatment plans, and monitoring patient health. By leveraging state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise, we ensure timely and precise results, ultimately promoting the diagnostics and well-being of our patients.

·Medical laboratory technicians generally need an associate degree or certificate

· Medical laboratory technologists must typically hold a bachelor’s degree

· The Phlebotomist position is an on-the-job training, but there are also phlebotomy certification courses available. Upon completion of the course, students can sit for a national certification exam to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

Radiology

At Sidney Health Center our dedicated Radiology Team, comprised of experienced radiologists and technologists, utilizes state-of-the-art technology to produce high-quality digital images across a range of modalities including CT, MRI, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Bone Densitometry, Diagnostic Radiography and PET CT. Our commitment to excellence ensures accurate diagnostics and compassionate care for our patients. Whether it’s detecting abnormalities, monitoring treatment progress, or guiding therapeutic interventions, our team is committed to ensuring accurate and timely diagnoses for our patients.

· Radiologic technologists complete an associate or bachelor’s degree

· Additional certifications are encouraged to recognize individuals who are certified and registered in certain disciplines

“It has been an honor to be the Imaging Director for the past 21 years,” shared Linda Labatte, Sidney Health Center Imaging director. “I work with the most caring and dedicated Imaging Technologists who honor Sidney Health Center’s mission statement which is to ‘Help those we serve achieve their highest level of health and well-being.’ Sidney Health Center is committed to providing our community with state-of-the-art equipment and compassionate care.”

Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care at Sidney Health Center includes diagnostic testing, oxygen therapy, ventilator management, bronchodilator therapy, airway clearance techniques, sleep medicine, cardiopulmonary rehab and patient education. These services are critical for diagnosing and treating respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, sleep apnea, improving patient outcomes, and promoting respiratory health. Respiratory therapists play a vital role in delivering these services and empowering patients to manage their respiratory health effectively.

· Respiratory therapists may complete an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree program

· Additional certifications can be obtained in advanced care of cardiopulmonary issues, sleep disorders and national certifications in Respiratory Therapy

“The Respiratory Therapy, Sleep Medicine and Cardiopulmonary Rehab department works tirelessly to improve patient outcomes and enhance their quality of life,” stated Nancy Dynneson, senior executive Hospital Services. “Their expertise and compassion make a considerable difference in the lives of the patients and their families.”

Pharmacy

The Sidney Health Center Pharmacy offers critical services such as dispensing medications, counseling patients on proper usage, managing complex medication regimens, and compounding customized medications. These services ensure patients have access to necessary medications, understand how to use them safely, and receive preventive care. The pharmacy at Sidney Health Center is comprised of a Retail Pharmacy, a Hospital Pharmacy, a Cancer Center Pharmacy, and a Long-Term Care division that all function together to provide top-notch medication services to our entire geographic area. From assisting providers with medication questions and therapeutic alternatives to talking patients through new medications and therapies, the pharmacy staff at SHC is always available to answer the call.

· Pharmacy Technicians complete a certification program typically finished within a few months. The certification is nationally recognized and is accomplished through a combination of on-the-job training and online course work that is completed both at home and with the assistance of the team in the pharmacy.

· Pharmacists typically graduate with a doctoral degree, Pharm D, and are an integral part of the healthcare team at SHC. Pharmacists go through a diverse educational program that blends classroom work with clinical experiences and rotations in a variety of different disciplines so you can focus on the type of medicine that interests you most. A strong interest in biology and chemistry certainly helps, but a candidate with a big heart and the desire to be an important part of the patient experience is what is really important!

“The pharmacy is the center of the healthcare hub,” stated Steve Case, Sidney Health Center Pharmacy Director. “The medications and information about the proper dosing, interactions, administration, and use affects nearly every patient. Working closely with nurses, providers, patients and the rest of the healthcare team is what drives the pharmacy team at Sidney Health Center.”

At Sidney Health Center in fiscal year 2023, more than 141,000 prescriptions were filled, over 131,000 laboratory tests were ran, 24,900 imaging exams were performed and more than 12,400 inpatient respiratory therapy treatments were provided in addition to 3,448 EKG tests, 26 EEG tests, 217 sleep tests and approximately 800 cardiac rehab appointments.

What types of resources are you using to recruit new employees?

Recruiting and retaining top talent is a key strategic initiative for Sidney Health Center, and we’ve taken proactive steps to achieve this goal. We created a role within our Human Resources department that has undertaken recruitment and engagement for the facility.

We’re actively engaging with local youth to spark interest in healthcare careers. Recently, Sidney Health Center hosted a Healthcare Career Exploration Day for area high school students, collaborating across departments to provide valuable insights. Through hands-on activities and information sessions, students learned about various healthcare careers and were given information on how to move forward with their chosen career path. Recognizing the importance of hands-on experience, Sidney Health Center offers job shadow opportunities to area students. Through this program, students immerse themselves in a healthcare career, gaining firsthand insights into the daily activities of their chosen field. We aim to ignite passion and empower informed career choices among the next generation.

Sidney Health Center also welcomes area schools for facility tours, providing them with a firsthand look at our operations. Additionally, we participate in local and college career fairs, facilitating face-to-face interactions with potential candidates.

Virtual platforms have become essential for outreach, enabling Sidney Health Center to connect with candidates regardless of location. We host virtual lunch and learn sessions in collaboration with colleges, offering a virtual gateway to our facility and career opportunities. In addition to in-person and virtual outreach, we’ve implemented targeted media campaigns across social media, radio, and newspaper platforms to amplify our recruitment message and reach diverse audiences. Acknowledging the invaluable role of employee advocacy, Sidney Health Center empowers our workforce to serve as ambassadors for recruitment. Through our referral program, we incentivize our workforce to refer qualified candidates from their networks. This fosters a culture of collective ownership and shared success, reflecting our commitment to cultivating a diverse and dynamic healthcare workforce.

 

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