Welcome to the August Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
Employee Spotlight
Daisy Award Nominee
Understanding COVID-19
COVID-19 Update
ASNA Annual Meeting
Patient Safety Award
Immunization Awareness Month
Guiding Principles
Elder Primary Care
Social Services Outreach
Tribal Childcare
Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA)
ASNA Radio Hour

Dental Clinic Village Schedule
Eye Clinic Schedule
Specialty Clinics
SSMH Medicaid/Medicare Outreach Schedule
Medical Provider Village Schedule

Welcome!

The Iñupiaq translation for August is Tiŋŋivik. It is the month when people continue to hunt for caribou, and pick salmonberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries.

In this issue, we have information on the COVID-19 Update, Daisy and Sunshine Award nominations, Immunization Month and more. Enjoy!

Employee Spotlight

Director of Human Resources, Kristine Hilderbrand, MBA

In the last 4 weeks there have been over 20 positive North Slope Borough resident cases.  The majority of which have been tested and remain(ed) off slope. 

There are multiple cases in Utqiaġvik that have been determined to be caused by community spread.  At this time, there appears to be no identified association with one another and because of this we need to be more mindful of protecting ourselves and others by taking simple preventative measures.

The 3 best ways that have proven to be the most effective at containing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 are following:

The SSMH Drive-thru testing clinic will be open this Saturday & Sunday, 8a.m. – 7p.m. tests are available with no out-of-pockets costs, and may be repeated every seven (7) days.

Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association (ASHNHA) is a unified association providing effective statewide leadership to address health care delivery challenges affecting all Alaskans.  The ASHNHA awards program is a project initiated by the Patient Safety Committee, which works on behalf of Alaska hospitals and nursing homes to improve patient safety.

For the 2020 award “Innovation in Transformation of Patient Safety- High Reliabilty”, Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital has been selected as the winner in the ‘small hospital’ category following the nomination and review of the Nursing Services Department.  The award recognizes hospitals and nursing homes that have developed and implemented an innovative patient safety and quality process, project, or program with measurably improved outcomes.

The segment of the conference where the award will be presented takes place on Wednesday, Septmber 23rd at 10:00am Alaska Standard Time.  To register please CLICK HERE.

Please join us in congratulating SSMH Nursing leadership, Chief Nursing Officer Denise Irizarry and our exemplary team for this incredible honor.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Many diseases can easily be prevented with administering vaccines. Take the necessary precautions with a simple call to your doctor, and avoid potential harm while leading a healthy, happy life.

In 1918, Brevig Mission, Alaska lost 72 out of 80 villagers to the 1918 flu. In 1997, microbiologists were able to excavate samples from the graves of those in Brevig Mission because their bodies were preserved by the permafrost. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) then characterized the 1918 flu as influenza A. Researchers were able to make a vaccine to help prevent another outbreak of the 1918 flu.

Reasons to Vaccinate:

• Immunizations are Safe

1.      Vaccinations are safe and effective. All vaccines undergo long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and the federal government to ensure they are safe. Both the CDC and FDA continue to track the safety of all licensed vaccines.

• Vaccines can save lives

1.      Vaccines have greatly reduced or eliminated many infectious diseases that once routinely killed or harmed infants, children, and adults. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause these diseases still exist and you can still get these diseases if you aren’t vaccinated.

• You Can Protect Yourself and Loved Ones from Disease

1.      Some people in your family or community may not be able to get certain vaccines due to their age or health condition. They rely on you to help prevent the spread of disease.
2.      Infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems (like those undergoing cancer treatment) are especially vulnerable to infectious disease. For example, newborn babies are too young to be vaccinated against whooping cough. Unfortunately, whooping cough can be very dangerous or even deadly for them. Anyone who is around babies should be up to date with their whooping cough vaccine. 

Vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases.

For more information or to schedule an immunization appointment, please call 907-852-9156

Caring for Our Elders

Qiksiksrautitiqaġniq Utuqqanaanun

(Primary Care Appointments)

SSMH dedicates time to care for our elders.  Schedule Primary Care appointments Monday - Friday 10AM -12PM by calling 907-852-9156.

Social Services Outreach

The Social Services Department administers programs for residents throughout the North Slope including: job placement, higher education scholarships, adult vocational training, family preservation, Indian Child Welfare assistance, preventative behavioral health services, tribal childcare, medical and burial assistance. If you need assistance with applying for any of these programs, please schedule an appointment with social services.

For information or questions, please contact Qiilu Yazzie, ICWA Program Manager at Cell Phone: 907.367.6963 between 8am to 5pm or email:  Qiilu.Yazzie@arcticslope.org

ASNA Radio Hour

This schedule is subject to change at any time due to changes with KBRW scheduling or any unforeseen medical emergencies.

Dental Clinic Village Schedule

All dates subject to change.  To schedule an appointment, please call your NSB Village Health Clinic to ensure your name is on the “dental list” with your current phone number(s). 

Eye Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Eye Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9291 | E-mail: eyeclinic@arcticslope.org

Specialty Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik

Specialty Clinic appointments are only for those who receive a referral from a Primary Care Provider. 

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9284 | Toll Free: 888.525.7764

Medicaid/Medicare Outreach

SSMH Outreach and Enrollment staff will be traveling to the following villages to help patients with enrollment in Medicaid and/or Medicare, senior benefits, and other public assistance programs:

• Due to COVID-19, Village Travel is cancelled until further notice

Medicaid can also help pay for medical travel including flights, hotels, and food. If you are pregnant, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Patient services paid by Medicaid or Medicare will allow SSMH to invest in new services.  If you have questions, please contact

SSMH Patient Benefits at Telephone: 907.852.9365 | Toll Free: 888.525.7764

Medical Provider Village Schedule

Subject to travel limitations due to COVID-19, ASNA is very sensitive to the needs and wishes of our member villages and with the approval of the village, we continue to provide patient urgent care needs through Village Health travel.

All dates subject to change.  To schedule your appointment with the SSMH Provider, please call your NSB Village Health Clinic to ensure your name is on the list with your current phone number(s).

Resources

ASNA/SSMH Press Releases

Understanding COVID-19

ASNA 2019 Annual Report

National Immunization Awareness Month

NURSING

• Nurse Case Manager (2 Positions)
• Nurse Manager-Primary Care
• Patient Care Technician I (PCT) PRN
• Patient Care Technician I (PCT)
• Primary Care Nurse (2 Positions)
• Registered Nurse Emergency Room
• Registered Nurse Inpatient
• Registered Nurse – LDRP
• Registered Nurse Primary Care (2 Positions)
• Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist (PRN) On-Call

PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE

• Diabetes Coordinator and Educator
• Mammographer X-Ray Technologist
• SFL Case Manager – LPN
• Staff Dentist (Available 8/2020 & 12/2020)

SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES

• Certified Coder
• Clinical Laboratory Assistant
• CT Technologist (3-Positions)
• Elder Care Specialist On-Call
• Family Preservation Coordinator
• Floor Care Technician
• Healthy Family Advocate – Barrow
• Healthy Family Advocate – revised AKP or BRW or KAK
• Healthy Family Advocate – revised Nuiqsut
• Housing Housekeeper
• Housekeeper
• Housekeeper (PRN)
• Laundry Attendant(Temporary)
• Maintenance Specialist II
• Medical Technologist
• OJT Dental Assistant (2 Positions)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Night)
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant Lead
• Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst

Please visit us at https://arcticslope.org/careers/job-openings/ to find out how to apply online, Thank You!

• Labor Day     September 7, 2020

In observance of the upcoming holidays, the ASNA and SSMH offices will be closed with exception of the ER/emergency department and all other staff essential for emergency medical care.

The front entryway of SSMH will be closed; please enter through the ER, or southeast end of the building.