Holistic care through the eyes of a hospice manager
At Sharp, we approach healing from a holistic perspective. The Sharp HospiceCare team is no different. They create an environment for a different type of care for patients and their families.
Meet a manager of hospice homes at Sharp HospiceCare, and read how he found a career with our hospice team.
What made you interested in starting a career in hospice care with Sharp?
I started with Sharp HealthCare in 2005 and then moved onto the hospice team in 2009 when a coworker convinced me to join him on the team. I went from the emergency room to hospice care; it was like going from one extreme to another.
Hospice has shown me that there is an inherent piece missing from traditional health care. Traditional medical care says death is wrong and that we need to do everything possible to save the life of the patient. Hospice care allows the patient to obtain closure at the end of life and we get to play a crucial part in that. The kind of care our patients receive in hospice is exceptional.
What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role and what makes a potential hospice team member more suitable for this role?
My role is unique because a clear majority of the people my team cares for are receiving care in their own homes. I am responsible for managing hospice homes — the place our patients go when their families cannot care for their loved ones without extra support. At the hospice homes I manage, we create a home-like environment so that our patients can receive holistic care from my team while comfortable.
The people that succeed the most on my team are the ones that understand loss is part of the job. Death is not something to be afraid of — you can make a difference at the end of a patient’s life by helping the patient and their family heal. Additionally, it helps to have hospice team members who are self-motivated because many of our clinicians are out in communities visiting with our patients. You get the opportunity to connect with people in a way you would otherwise not get in a traditional hospital environment.
How has your personal experience with The Sharp Experience impacted your career?
Hospice care is very holistic — you aren’t just fighting a single disease. Hospice care has been constructed from a holistic standpoint — physical, psychological and spiritual aspects all play a huge role in this type of care.
The type of care we provide our patients is the best opportunity for clinicians to provide The Sharp Experience. It is an advantage to be a part of such a comprehensive care system, where patients are still part of the Sharp ecosystem. Teamwork is so inherent in what we do. Our interdisciplinary teams are so tightknit that it solidifies the employee and patient experience. The Sharp Experience is truly part of what we do every day.
What would you like people to know about Sharp HospiceCare?.
We know how important our Sharp HospiceCare services are to our patients. Scott Evans, CEO of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, remains committed to helping our patients find comfort through Sharp HospiceCare, by staying “focused on caring, not curing, the support provided through hospice offers some of the most compassionate quality of care we can give to patients facing end of life, as well as to their families and other caregivers.”
