Pine Run Education Director Zeroes In
Pine Run Health Center is a care-intensive skilled nursing environment serving more than 65 new patients a month, many recovering from joint replacement procedures, open heart surgery, and other serious conditions. Busy days for caregivers in the zero-deficiency facility are made even more challenging by new medicines, technologies, and the range of emotions experienced by patients and their family members.
In this current climate, practical hands on training and engaging education for caregivers makes the difference in bringing the employees’ talents and skills to the job in ways that also win the hearts of the customers. Zeroing in on optimum caregiver performance is Mary Beth Baringer, director of education at Pine Run. She believes that education is the most powerful tool available to improve the quality of care.
“The more we connect the caregivers to the patient experience, the better it plays,” says Baringer, who enlists the help of physicians at Doylestown Hospital, as well as former patients to conduct training sessions. A variety of hands-on demonstrations, games, and multi-media presentations keep associates informed about advances in geriatric medicine, orthopedic treatments, nutrition, and safety. Baringer especially looks forward to Enrichment Day, an annual training in June covering mandatory topics, but one that is also fun and rejuvenating for associates.
“It is a big job.” says Anne Bobek, senior director of human resources, “We have more than 400 staff matriculating through Mary Beth’s programs. We have been fortunate to have her for 20 years.”
Needs for the burgeoning senior population continues to grow, and, according to the latest data posted on the Bucks County Workforce Dashboard, more than 45,000 jobs are available in the health care and social assistance sector in our area.
Owned by Doylestown Hospital, Pine Run employs a total of 445 men and women. The community is a not-for-profit provider of independent living cottages, personal care suites, Alzheimer’s care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. To find out more about working at Pine Run, see our
careers page
.
