Cooper University Health Care

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), established in 1986, highlights the importance of infection prevention and the crucial role that infection preventionists (IPs) have in keeping our community safe and healthy. IPs are professionals who make sure health care workers and health facilities are doing all the things they should to prevent infections from spreading. The infection prevention and control community protect us from surges in health care-associated infections, measles outbreaks, flu, COVID-19, and so many other day-to-day infectious battles. The theme for 2024 is “Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention.” To celebrate, Cooper’s infection preventionists are engaging our teams at Cooper University Hospital in Camden with IP trivia questions that range from basic infection prevention to complex processes and bundles we must follow to prevent infections and ensure patient safety. Thank you to everyone on our Cooper team for their diligence in keeping our patients, families, and visitors safe!

Today we're spotlighting our behavioral clinical specialists (BCS), registered nurses with extensive psychiatric nursing experience. BCS nurses play a vital role in supporting bedside clinical staff and enhancing patient care in our inpatient health care setting. Equipping nurses and staff with tailored behavioral management strategies and effective de-escalation techniques, BCS nurses help identify early signs of distress in patients, ensuring timely interventions. Their training in communication skills and emotional support empowers the clinical staff to manage complex behavioral health situations with confidence. BCS nurses also facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, acting as liaisons among nursing, providers, and social work. This coordination ensures that patients receive holistic care that addresses both physical and emotional health needs, promoting an understanding and supportive atmosphere leading to better and safer outcomes for both patients and the healthcare team. The role supports bedside nurses and the entire health care team for some challenging patients but does not take the place of emergent BRRTs or Behavioral Health medical consults. Members of Cooper’s BCS team include Beth Dunn, BSN, RN; Laura Hunsberger, MSN, RN, PMH-BC; Ann Meyers, BSN, RN; and Lucy Suokhrie, MS, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, pictured. Thank you for all you do, BCS team!

Cooper’s Nurse Excellence Council was recently named the recipient of the Nursing Workplace Environment and Staffing Council’s (NWESC) Pillar Resilience Award. In July 2016, the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey (ONL NJ) developed a model focused on creating and maintaining a healthy work environment, thus the NWESC Commission was established. The Commission’s vision is for New Jersey to be recognized as a leader in creating and sustaining a healthy work environment for its nurses. Organizations based their projects on the following pillars: ➡️ Resilience: The organization has successfully implemented an innovative and sustainable process or initiative that promotes the ability for its nurses to cope with and overcome adverse circumstances. ➡️ True collaboration: The organization promotes the sustained implementation of an innovative and evidence-based initiative that fosters a supportive environment where team members can develop and evolve their clinical practice. ➡️ Effective decision making: The organization empowers nurses and inter-professional team members to participate in decision-making processes that contribute to the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. ➡️ Appropriate staffing: The organization has implemented innovative and evidence-based staffing solutions, ensuring an effective match between patient needs and nurse competencies. ➡️ Meaningful recognition: The organization has established an innovative, successful, and sustainable process enabling organizations and/or its employees to recognize and celebrate nurses meaningfully. ➡️ Authentic leadership: The organization is served by leaders who fully embrace the standards of a healthy work environment in a proactive manner that fosters a culture of compassionate care for team members and patients. Cooper’s Nurse Excellence Council used the “Resilience” pillar as inspiration to create a “moment of silence” card for nurses to refer to when a patient passes. The team presented their work at the NWESC Retreat in Princeton, NJ, earlier this month. Several members of the Nurse Excellence Council are pictured. Congratulations to the Council on this accomplishment!

IN THE NEWS: George E. Norcross III Announces Job Training, Apprentice Program Outreach Initiative to Camden Residents, Diverse Businesses The new joint venture between Cooper, the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, and construction manager Torcon Inc. / P. Agnes Inc. is designed to encourage participation by local residents in this significant new construction project in the City of Camden. Cooper will be mailing information about the program to Camden residents. Those interested can contact Cooper (call 856.356.4899 or email apprenticeships@cooperhealth.edu) to learn more about “the Construction Trade Apprenticeship Program, an opportunity for a lifetime profession in the construction industry.” The program is open to all men and women, 18 years or older with a high school degree. Read more: https://bit.ly/4dRXzZc

Bring your resume and join us for an interview and hiring event on Tuesday, October 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Cooper University Hospital. Speak to Clinical Nursing Leadership and find out about the many advantages of Cooper Nursing, such as: 💰 Market-Leading RN Wages. 🤝 Exceptional Staffing Levels. 📅 Flexible Work Schedules. To Register: https://bit.ly/3Y6RP89

The 2024 APP Symposium is just weeks away – sign up today to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/4dt0abL This year's symposium is Friday, November 1, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cherry Hill. Earn CME credits while gaining knowledge, expanding your perspective and connecting with like-minded individuals. This is an educational event designed for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and other health care professionals who provide advanced healthcare services. Breakfast and lunch included. KEYNOTE ADDRESS: “Compassionomics” with Stephen W. Trzeciak, MD, MPH, Chairman and Chief, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care CLOSING REMARKS: “Leadership, Crisis Management, and a Zero-Fail Mission” with Eric K. Reed, Deputy Assistant Director, United States Secret Service (retired), and Executive Coach

Cooper is proud to honor our emergency nurses during Emergency Nurses Week, from October 6 through October 12, and Emergency Nurses Day on Wednesday, October 9. Every year, this special week recognizes the dedication, compassion, and strength that emergency nurses display even in the most challenging times. The Emergency Departments at our hospitals in Camden and Cape May Court House manage nearly 117,000 patient visits a year. Cooper emergency nurses are an integral part of the ED care team. An emergency nurse cares for patients on the worst days of their lives, providing the best possible care. Since 1989, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has recognized the second Wednesday in October as Emergency Nurses Day to honor emergency nurses for their commitment to patient care. In 2001, ENA expanded the celebration to devote an entire week to celebrating emergency nurses, because one day is simply not enough to recognize all contributions made by emergency nurses. We thank our Cooper emergency nurses for their extraordinary dedication to caring for our patients.

Medical assistants and licensed practical nurses are invited to a hiring event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Cooper Business Offices at 1 Federal Street in Camden, NJ. Hiring full- and part-time positions. Bring your resume and speak with hiring managers. Cooper offers: 💰 Competitive rates and compensation. 😀 Comprehensive employee benefits program. 📅 Flexible scheduling. Register here: https://bit.ly/480bBXn

Bring your resume!

It's Sleep Technologists Appreciation Week! At Cooper, we recognize the vital role our dedicated sleep technologists play in diagnosing and managing sleep disorders 😴 Their expertise helps patients achieve better sleep, leading to improved overall health and well-being. Join us in celebrating their hard work and commitment to ensuring quality care for every patient. ❤️ Thank you for all you do!