Where do you work?
“I am an Occupational Therapist for Carilion Clinic Home Health”
Why did you choose to work at Carilion?
“I came to Carilion six years ago from another home health agency. I was looking for a Home Health position with sufficient volume to support a full-time position. Carilion was able to provide that while maintaining the flexible schedule that home healthcare provides.”
What inspires your work here at Carilion?
“When I began at Carilion, I was pleasantly surprised with how ‘patient first’ focused Carilion was. I was told to base my clinical decisions first and foremost on the needs of my patients. This remains the standard. I have never felt pressured to limit services or time spent with my patients due to fiscal concerns or restraints. Carilion provides an incredible community service making certain that our services are available to those who could otherwise not afford them. I like knowing that I'm a part of that.”
What motivates you to do your job well?
“I have always been self driven. I am compensated well for what I do but that is not a motivator for me personally. I have a strong work ethic and I am fortunate to work with a team which shares those same values. I have a personal mantra that I use to make clinical decisions with every patient I see. I ask myself: ‘If this was my father, mother, sister, child, etc., what would I do?’ It has never let me down.”
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“I feel blessed to have a job which allows me to do what I love, and fits in with my personal and professional needs. Home health is unique in several ways and not for everyone. For me, I feel it is a perfect fit. I love that I am able to work with my patients one-on-one in their own homes. As an occupational therapist, I can think of no better setting to work with them. You are able to see exactly what barriers your patients face and often are able to make an immediate positive impact on their lives. Often, there is a ‘bonding’ with your patients that you just don't get in a clinical setting. Perhaps because you are welcomed into their homes, into their lives and are treated like one of the family.”
What is it about our benefits that make a difference in your life?
“The biggest draw to Home Health for me was flexibility of scheduling. Carilion has been able to work with me on this over the years. Carilion offers an incredible amount of continuing education and professional improvement opportunities; I only wish I had more time to take better advantage of them. Compensation has been competitive and much appreciated. If I had to offer one criticism, I wish there was more paid time off available, particularly during the first five years. This is probably the only area that was not an improvement over past employers’ benefits.”
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