Acute Health Care

# Beds: 24

Staffing Ratio: 4-5:1 (based on acuity; staffing may be 3:1)

Goals: (1) To meet our commitments to each other, (2) To provide excellent customer service, (3) To personalize the development of each staff member.

Common treatments/types of patients: We treat a wide variety of patients: nursing home, detoxification, stroke, specialty drips (non-titrating), chronic vents, CHF, chest pains, pulmonary, vascular surgeries and other surgeries, as well as providing close monitoring.

Special treatments: We are the designated unit for stroke patients. We are JCAHO certified as a Stroke Center of Excellence and provide training for stroke assessment (NIH scale).

Special equipment: Telemetry monitors, ventilators.

Special training for new RNs: Stroke awareness training, orientation in the Cath Lab to understand vascular procedures and to Respiratory.

Special recognitions or services: JCAHO certified Stroke Center of Excellence, high customer and employee satisfaction scores, low turnover.

What new hires can expect on AHC: New graduates can expect a structured 10-12 week orientation with assigned preceptors.  We offer new graduate classes as well as hands-on training on the unit. All new graduates spend time in Respiratory and the Cath Lab. We also provide training on the monitor rhythms and provide a gradual step to functioning independently. Experienced RNs can expect the same commitment except with a shorter orientation period. All new hires are welcomed to our family and will feel free to ask questions and for help.  This is a great place to learn, grow and advance. You can take your experience from AHC anywhere you want to go. My commitment as the Director is to help anyone on my unit succeed.

My Management style: I have a very open door style. I recognize that my staff has a life away from work and I work with my staff on maintaining a work/life balance and to accommodate their individual needs.  One change we have implemented to assist with this is self-scheduling. I also state my expectations up front and believe in holding staff accountable. My employees have a voice and we are very collaborative and work to make changes for the better of the unit.

Choose AHC and Gulf Coast Medical Center because: Of the family environment. We all know each other.  Our leadership team is very accessible and approachable and supportive.  The hospital also allows for career progression.

Bragging Rights: Our customer service scores are great! We have received high patient satisfaction scores as well as employee satisfaction scores. We are also proud of the opportunities we provide our nursing students. We provide them learning opportunities as students and also welcome them warmly to our unit.

The Panama City area: The convenience of everything in and around Panama City is hard to beat. The country life is just a few minutes away from the city life so you have a choice. For anyone looking for housing, there are styles and prices to fit any lifestyle in and around Panama City.

For fun, Ecofina Springs is a fun place to go. We enjoy canoeing and tubing. There is fresh water as well as salt water.  We have a lot of beautiful parks in the area as well.