VNS Health

Nurse Soraya says, “When patients are home, they feel more comfortable, more secure, and more confident about the care. There’s more one-on-one communication, and that helps them understand their care more.”

Thank you, Soraya, for your dedication to making people comfortable in their homes! 👏 👏

We're looking for more people like Soraya to join our team! Check out our open nursing roles by clicking the link below.
https://jobs.vnshealth.org/search-jobs/nursing/1238/1?fl=6252001&utm_content=20240722&utm_medium=VNS+Health&utm_source=facebook

This Tuesday we announced an upcoming community educational workshop series to raise awareness of lung cancer. A big thank you to our partners Chinese American IPA, Inc., CAMs, ACAP, and Maimonides Health for joining us. We also want to thank Assembly Member Grace Lee for her support, panelists Dr. WuHua Jing and Dr. Pauline Lau of CAIPA and Dr. Elaine Shum of NYU Langone Health, and NTDTV, Sing Tao Daily, China Press, and The Epoch Times for helping build awareness in the community.”

Last week, our Women's Empowerment employee resource group hosted an in-person gathering called Paint, Sip and Mingle! at our 42nd street office. All were invited to enjoy spending time painting and mingling with other group members. A big thank you to Yolanda, Alexandra and Kimberly for leading this event!

It's not always easy to recognize when it's time for a loved one to enter hospice — but there are a few clues that the time may be drawing near:

- You want your loved one to get relief from pain or other symptoms
- Your loved one has been spending more time in the hospital or has had more frequent trips to the emergency room.
- You are worried that your loved one will receive aggressive treatment that they don't want.
- You are nervous that your loved one will pass away alone in a hospital.

When the time is right, our hospice team is here for you. ❤️

Learn more about our hospice services by clicking the link 👇.

Guide to Hospice Care Making the decision to begin hospice care is a big one — and VNS Health will be by your side the whole way.

From the streets to the NYC Marathon: one patient's journey with our Health Home program speaks to his resilience. Battling addiction and mental health issues, he found his stride, ran the marathon, and is now a counselor inspiring others. Adrian is proof that every step counts.

Adrian’s Recovery from Substance Use Disorders How one man overcame his substance use and mental health struggles to run in the NYC marathon thanks to VNS Health's Health Home program.

Did you know that we offer mental and behavioral health services in all boroughs, including the Bronx?

Here are some of the programs we offer:
- Our Children and Family Support Team provides training for helpful mental health skills to children and their loved ones and links families to community resources.
- Our Substance Use Disorder Care Management Program is a 6-to-9-month program that includes outreach, care management, in-home counseling, and psychiatric treatment.

Learn more about the behavioral health services we provide.
https://www.vnshealth.org/behavioral-health/?utm_medium=VNS+Health&utm_source=facebook

Join us for our Registered Nurse (RN) Virtual Hiring Event on Thursday, 7/18. The event will run from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Individuals who join will have an opportunity to participate in a 30 min virtual interview. We are hiring for:

- Registered Nurse Field Supervisors
- Full Time, Part Time and Per Diem roles available

Register for the event by clicking the link 👇
https://indeedhi.re/45UQZ1P

Why does occupational therapist Stacey M. love her job? ❤️

“It’s incredibly meaningful to me that I get to go into people’s homes, whether it’s postoperatively or after they leave the hospital, and help them so that they can start getting back to their normal, everyday lives.”

Thank you, Stacey, for your dedication to helping people recover at home! 🙏

Inspired by Stacey's words? We'd love to have you join our team! Check out occupational and physical therapy job openings, like those in the Bronx!
https://jobs.vnshealth.org/search-jobs/rehab/1238/1?utm_content=20240628&utm_medium=VNS+Health&utm_source=facebook

Join us for our Social Work hiring event and info session on Wednesday, 7/17 at our offices in 220 E 42nd street. The event will run from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. You'll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients, members, and their families. The roles we are looking for are:

- Licensed Psychiatric Social Workers
- Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicians
- Full Time and Per Diem

Register for the event by clicking the link 👇
https://indeedhi.re/3XUcRIE

Look for us in New York's upstate communities this summer! Our Community Outreach Vehicle will be traveling across the state as we attend events in the capital district and other upstate NY Counties!

📣 NEW from VNS Health! 📣

We've expanded our Dementia Care at Home program and we're now offering:

- Individual care consultations by phone or tele-conferencing
- One-to-one connection sessions promoting creative exploration and expression
- Classes for caregivers

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Learn more about what is included when your loved one receives Dementia Care at Home.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Care - VNS Health VNS Health provides in-home care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and support for their caregivers.

Let's hear it for Sultana! 📣 A Gender Affirmation Program patient wrote to thank nurse Sultana A. and said, “Sultana is amazing! She assisted me very fast... She had a lot of tact and grace. She was on it quicker than we could ever imagine. I really value your organization.”

Sultana, we are so thankful to have you on our team.

It's natural for someone to lose their appetite near the end of their life. Their desire to eat and drink may gradually disappear, and their nutritional needs may change.

Here are 3 tips for helping a loved one in hospice care who has lost their appetite:

1) Focus on breakfast. Appetite tends to decrease throughout the day.
2) Offer soft foods and pureed foods, since they're easier to swallow.
3) Avoid telling them that they are eating or drinking less.

Read below to learn more about eating habits at the end of life.

Appetite at the End of Life Changes in eating habits and appetite at the end of life can be distressing for caregivers, but they are a natural part of the dying process.

We're looking for a Community Outreach Representative to join our Upstate team! You will be working with our Health Plans team to plan, coordinate, and set up presentations and events to spread awareness about our Health Plans. Here are some of the benefits that you can expect as a new team member:

- Competitive salary with sign-on bonus and referral bonus opportunities
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- Generous PTO and 9 company holidays
- Tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees
- Employer-matched retirement saving funds

And of course, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers.

Click the link below and apply today!
https://jobs.vnshealth.org/job/manhattan/capital-district-community-outreach-representative/1238/64457706304?utm_content=20240705&utm_medium=VNS+Health&utm_source=facebook

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Wishing everyone here in New York and across the country a happy and safe holiday. 🎆 🎆

For over 20 years, Clifford Scott, physical therapist has been helping patients in many places recovery in the safety of their homes.

“I’ve been a physical therapist with VNS Health for over 24 years, starting out in Manhattan, then moving to the South Bronx and now Westchester. Whenever I greet a new patient, I always make sure they understand that I’m here to help them become as safe and independent as possible.”

Thank you, Clifford, for helping others get back on their feet! If you're also interested in helping people recover their independence, check out our physical therapist roles.

https://jobs.vnshealth.org/search-jobs/physical%20therapist/1238/1?utm_content=20240628&utm_medium=VNS+Health&utm_source=facebook

Happy summer, New Yorkers! We hope you're staying cool while enjoying the sunshine. 😎 ☀️

This summer, we're celebrating one of the communities we serve: the Bronx! Home to landmarks like Yankee Stadium and the beautiful New York Botanical Garden there's no place to enjoy a summer in New York like the Bronx.

After a festive month joining Pride celebrations across NYC, our SelectHealth team would like to remind everyone how meaningful it can be to show support for the LGBTQ+ community every day!

As the month wraps up, we want to give a huge "thank you" to all of our team members who work hard every day to ensure that New Yorkers get the care they need and to allow people to be their true selves while receiving care. Pride Month and Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month may be coming to a close, but we're not going anywhere. We're here to support these two amazing and strong communities year-round! ❤️

Today is National HIV Testing Day and this year’s theme is “Level up your self-love: check your status!” Our SelectHealth team reminds you that taking a HIV test is part of your self-care and knowing your status helps you choose options to stay healthy. You can get free or low-cost HIV testing at local NYC sexual health clinics or at community-based organizations with testing programs.

When asked, "What’s a little thing you do to brighten your client’s day?" Marjorie Buford, home health aide says, “My client enjoys it when I come into her home with her favorite cup of decaf cappuccino from her favorite coffee shop. It’s like witnessing a person who is receiving the thing that thoroughly brings them pleasure. I can see the LOVE in her eyes for me.” 😍

Thank you Marjorie for going the extra mile! We're so lucky to have home health aides like you who always go above and beyond.

Although National HIV Testing Day isn't for another couple days, our SelectHealth outreach team is spreading awareness early and will be in Union Square Park today from 3pm - 6:30pm providing education around HIV and AIDs. Level up your self-love: check your status!

Tip of the day for dementia caregivers: Make your loved one's home safer by creating a "wander loop" – a safe, clear path they can use if they like to walk or wander to relive old routines or to manage emotions.

Check out these other tips for building a safe environment for a loved one with dementia:

Home Safety Tips for Dementia Caregivers Caregivers can use this home safety checklist for tips to keep a loved one with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia safe.

🏳️‍🌈 📣 Let's give a shout-out to SAGE! 📣 🏳️‍🌈Our team members have received training from SAGE, the country’s largest and oldest organization committed to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ older adults, so they can be sensitive to the concerns and needs of this community. SAGE, thank you for working with us!

We encourage you to take a look at our own LGBTQIA+ outreach efforts that have helped us earn the honor of being the largest home- and community-based health care organization in NYC with the SAGECare Platinum LGBT cultural competency credential.

LGBTQ+ Outreach - VNS Health VNS Health LGBTQ+ Outreach provides resources and education to community-based organizations, providers, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Congratulations to our Annual CCSS Employee of the Year award winner Jasmin Harry, contact agent II, and finalists, Renee Ashley, contact agent I, and Patrick Griffith, contact agent III!

Jasmin has been with VNS Health for over three years and is supports the Health Plans Medicare team. Jasmine has been described by her coworkers that nominated her as someone who does everything she can to resolve her members’ issues on their first call. She always makes members feel important and valued. Jasmin is also a team player who shares information, knowledge, and resources with the Medicare team.

Renee supports the Health Plans Managed Long Term Care team and has been with the organization for over nineteen years. One of our new contact agents shadowed Renee and said “Renee not only embodies these core values of Empathy, Integrity, and agility to our valued consumers, but she also expresses them to her fellow employees. She was kind, encouraging, and patent! Renee is an asset to her members and peers.”

Patrick supports Home Care, My Home Care App and Hospice teams and started working at VNS Health in 2022. His work includes training new agents, addressing web inquires, troubleshooting for the My Home Care app, and handling client calls. Patrick is always willing to help his team and clients whenever it is needed.

Thank you, Jasmin, Renee, Patrick, and all CCSS team members who handle the questions and concerns of all our clients and members.

Our goal is to provide behavioral health care to all New Yorkers – and we mean it when we say "all." So, who do our behavioral health teams work with?

☑️ Individuals with mental health conditions, from children to older adults
☑️ LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC teens and young adults at risk of su***de
☑️ Individuals and families in crisis
☑️ People with substance use conditions
☑️ Unhoused individuals and families
☑️ Individuals with complex or chronic diseases

Check out our behavioral and mental health programs:

Behavioral Health - VNS Health VNS Health behavioral health care supports people of all ages with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Happy Juneteenth! This holiday marks one of the most important days in US history, commemorating the end of slavery, and celebrating the achievements of Black Americans.

To celebrate the holiday, our Shades of Blackness ERG held a beautiful event at our offices in Manhattan. The celebration had a team member lunch, trivia about Juneteenth history, raffles, and a Best-Dressed contest. A big thank you to Dominique Miller, Debra Thomas, Carla Greenidge, Sheila Bell, and all members of the ERG for hosting this amazing celebration!

To our Black team members, we congratulate you on all of your achievements and thank you for everything you do. And to all of the communities we serve, we promise to uphold our mission to continue in the fight toward reducing health care disparities and providing care to all who need it.

Have a great holiday!

Meet Sharon Nunez, our new Bronx Community Outreach rep for SelectHealth. Sharon has supported many underserved communities through her work, inspiring her to become a minister to officiate free unions for LGBTQ+ people. She also loves fashion and was a GM at Mood Fabrics of Project Runway fame!

Whether you're a clinician, nurse, or loving family member, caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally draining. That's why it's so important to focus on the positives. Take it from one of our amazing partners, Nettie Harper, who is the co-founder of Inspired Memory Care:

"We hear information from the family. And we usually hear, unfortunately, what all the deficits are. When I go in, I'm looking at a fresh lens. 'Well, you know what, this patient has the ability to walk. She has the ability to shake my hand.' And I'm going to use these techniques and these strengths on how to engage and connect with their family member again. So it just depends on what's missing, but also, how do we connect? And that's important."

If you are looking for help for a loved one with dementia, learn more about our dementia care at home:

Alzheimer's & Dementia Care - VNS Health VNS Health provides in-home care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and support for their caregivers.

There's no better way to celebrate Father's Day than with a groan-worthy dad joke. We've got you covered:

🥁Who should you call if you hurt your foot while driving? A toe-truck! 🥁

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads who keep us in stitches every day!