As COVID-19 cases in Utah were climbing in Utah earlier this summer and Intermountain clinical staff got busier and busier, caregivers in system-level non-clinical roles were asked to pitch in and fill needed positions to help. More than 600 caregivers from many roles answered the call, filling 2,401 shifts and working more than 14,000 hours between July 3 and August 7.
The caregivers came from multiple teams and departments, such as Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Compliance, CTIS, and even the Executive Leadership Team. Those with clinical backgrounds picked up clinical shifts, while others worked as screeners at building entrances, helped at call centers, or filled non-clinical roles at testing sites. The caregivers took on these redeployment shifts on top of their regular workload.
Jeni Jones from Marketing and Communications worked as a greeter at the Park City InstaCare and says she’s glad she had the chance to help the people who’ve helped her many times.
“For nearly two decades, I’ve recruited clinicians to staff first-aid booths or marketing tents at events,” she says. “I’m so glad to finally be able to repay the favor and lend a hand.”
Jeni shared this thought after her experience on social media: “If you know a frontline healthcare worker, check in on them. If you’re stressed and tired of COVID, they’re probably 1,000 times more so. They’re dealing with this day in and day out at a much higher level of awareness than most of us. And that heightened existence takes a toll.”
Lara Cobia, an executive assistant for the Executive Leadership Team, took some shifts at the North Temple Clinic testing site.
“It was a valuable experience for me in many ways,” she says. “I had the role of a pre-screener. I was the first caregiver to greet the cars pulling into the facility, verified they qualified for a test, and directed them where to go. I had the opportunity to make the day a little better for people there for a test no one hopes they have to take. One of the days I worked ended up having the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Utah on a single day so far. I felt glad I could help on such a day.”
Lara adds, “My participation was eye-opening and gave me a greater sense of working together as a whole organization. I’m thankful for my teammates who covered for me on my regular job so I could achieve a greater understanding and appreciation of our Intermountain community and what we’re facing during this pandemic. It’s sobering. If a need ever arises again during a critical time, I want to be there to help.”
Polina Konuchkova from Consumer Experience also took a shift at the North Temple Clinic testing site helping run supplies and materials to the clinical caregivers. She says she was surprised by how much went into collecting each specimen for COVID-19 testing.
“I didn’t realize that caregivers performing nasal swabs need to change their PPE completely between each patient,” she says. “As I watched them replace their gowns and gloves and wipe down their PAPRs in 100-degree heat, I appreciated why testing can take so long. Later, as I was due for a glove change and I tried to put on a new pair on my now swollen and sweaty hands, I wanted to hug every caregiver doing these tests outdoors. When I got into my car later that day — finally out of PPE, my clothes drenched with sweat — I didn’t turn on the radio. I drove in silence and reflected with gratitude that I get to call these caregivers my colleagues.”
