HSA 4941 - Blog #4

This week I worked with the CNA, whom is also the Unit Coordinator and DON (Director of Nursing) assistant.


She is responsible for the scheduling of all CNA’s, RN’s and LPN’s nurses. I observed her doing her scheduling and also inquiring from the nurses, who would like to work on the weekends and which shift they would prefer.


I also attended the normal morning meeting. In the meeting I learned that one patient fell off her bed. To make sure that the patient did not sustain any injuries, an x-ray was done. Luckily, she did not have any broken bones.

HSA 4941 - Blog #3

This week I worked with the Therapy Department. I got the opportunity to work under the Speech and Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist. I must say that it was a great experience.


I divided my day among these three therapists and observed each of them. The speech and language pathologist is truly great at what she does. I observed her working with a patient whom was on a feeding tube; she was using very few words to express herself. Hence, the therapist asked her to move her tongue sideways and also to push her tongue out. As simple as this task may sound (as it did to me) the patient had severe difficulty accomplishing them. Only 15 minute therapy was done on this patient, since forcing her to do more, might make her reluctant to continue to improve.


Then it was the Occupational Therapist time with the patient. She helped the patient with her oral hygiene. For example; she used a lemon flavored swab to clean her teeth, gums and tongue.


Lastly, it was the physical therapist time. He lifted the patient’s feet slowly in an up and down movement, and he also did the same to her arms. Then he massages her hands, giving attention to her fingers.


This was truly a great learning experience. I have learned a lot from these three therapists and now I have a greater appreciation for their profession. These therapists really go beyond their call of duty, to help their patients.

Internship - Blog #2

My internship is progressing very good, so far. It is amazing to see how the administrative staff operates on a daily basis.


I must say that i am very surprised that the materials that i read and study in school, are actually taking place. It is like applying the concept that i read in a book to a given situation in the facility.


Today, i spend the day in the Medical Records Department. It was great. I got the opportunity to work with a coder. She showed me how to read a patient's diagnosis (the reason why the patient was admitted to the facility). I also looked up codes for the patient diagnosis. After reading the patient's complete medical file, i had to determine what their principle diagnosis was, followed by the secondary diagnosis. Then i had to see what other v-codes needed to be assigned.


Since my minor is in Helath Informatics Management, i gained knowlege and hands on experience in reading a patients' history and physical sheet, along with other medical records, so that we can bill medicaid.

HSA 4941 - Blog #1

I am doing my internship at Hunter's Creek Nursing and Rehab Center. I am working closely with the Administration staff.

I have familiarized myself with the people and the environment. Since i am there, i have been attending meetings, spending a day in the week with a manager, to get to see how the facility operates in regards to their patients. So far, i did some patients AARP forms and made phonecalls to AARP, to inquire about their benefits. I have also answered the phones.

I am looking forward to learning more, and getting some hands on experience in my field as a Health Service Administrator.