The SEIU 121RN and Providence Tarzana Patient Care Committee is important because it is one way we can address worksite concerns. This group works directly with management to resolve anything from lack of staffing to not enough clean linen being provided to the unit. Committee members include: Karen Pelone (L&D), Sandy Thompson (ER), Jim Owen (PACU), and Linda Epstein (CVICU). If you would like to join this committee, contact one of the committee members, or Union Representative Judith Serlin at (213) 247-4584.
Rapid Response RNs
The hospital will establish the new position of Rapid Response RN. With implementation of this change, we all win. We are hopeful that this change will allow the Charge RN to focus on the job of being a Charge RN without multitasking. The unit wins because nurses will get the assistance they need from their Charge. The patient wins because the rapid response nurse will be able to focus on them. Congratulations to all those who voiced their opinion on this important issue. Watch for the new job description.
Working off the Clock
It is not often that management and our Union agree on something straight up. We do on this: DO NOT work off the clock. You are not protected by the hospital’s liability insurance or Workers’ Compensation if you are not clocked in, and all the work you do might be for naught.
Working off the clock is not to be confused with incidental overtime. Management should not be disciplining you for incidental overtime. If an RN consistently accrues incidental overtime, our managers should examine whether the RN has a time management problem or a workload problem and then work with us so that we are able to clock out on time.
Education Lunch Meeting
The drug companies are no longer subsiding the lunch meeting, so the hospital’s position is that employees will have to pay if they are interested in attending.
Safe Patient Handling Law
The hospital is ordering safe lifting equipment so it can comply with the new law. Expect to see it in the middle of the year.
Increase in Patient Falls
The CNO spoke on the importance of the CNA in preventing falls and improving patient satisfaction. The hospital is continuing to study the role of the CNA and the need for CNAs in each unit.
L&D Computers
The hospital previously researched having computer work stations in patient rooms in L&D. They did not make any changes at that time, but are now looking into what they can do to help improve computer charting in patient rooms. The existing computers are difficult to use in the rooms as they are not ergonomically correct. The hospital will see if there is any new equipment they can purchase to improve this.
Policies
The hospital is working on updating policies and procedures to make them more user friendly and accessible to all employees online. At this time, there are some outdated policies and they are hard to find.
Breaks and Lunch
Management told us that they believe that RNs can “buddy up” during breaks and lunch without violating Title 22. We believe this violates Title 22 and nurse-to-patient ratio laws. This will be a long-term conversation with the hospital. Just as RNs before us fought for the ratios, we now have to stand up to ensure they are followed.
Call-Off Lists
We just finished the call-off policy for the following areas: CVICU/ICU, CVU/DOU, Med Surg 1, 2, 3, 4 and Oncology. (To see the policy, click to view the complete flyer at the bottom of this article.)
We will now start working on guidelines for the extra shift list. If you have suggestions, send an email to serlinj@seiu121rn.org
Click here to view and/or print complete flyer.