Staff Spotlight
New Care Feature Creature (One of Our Favorite Employees)
Paula Halbmaier, RN
Paula Halbmaier has worked at New Care since 2002. Paula is the Team Leader for Jeff, a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. She has done an outstanding job supporting, training, and leading his team of nurses. Paula is an outstanding client advocate who travels from Everett to Kent at least five days a week to care for Jeff.
While providing private duty nursing services for this young man, Paula's goal is to make life an adventure for both of them. Paula is extremely knowledgeable about this particular client's care and feels comfortable going places with him on his "good" days. They go to movies, share picnics, attend Mariners/Sonics games, and shop. Paula tries to help Jeff live his life as "normally" as possible.
Paula also works with some of our other clients when Jeff is hospitalized. She will take care of both peds and adults, which is a rarity in medically intensive home health care. Both the clients and families love her. Paula is requested repeatedly by those for whom she has cared. She has a calming manner that exudes confidence with a sweet disposition, and she refuses to engage in gossip or anything that is detrimental. Consequently, Paula is able to establish strong, trusting relationships with her colleagues and our physicians — a feat that is difficult for many.
Although Paula will fill-in for her teammates when needed and will work holidays when available, she makes it known that she has a private life that is her own, and she wants to keep it that way. Paula not only respects her own boundaries and those of the families, but also respects the boundaries that New Care has developed. Paula is a positive example for other nurses to follow, because she is cognizant of the company's limits and responsibilities. Paula also uses lots of common sense that is so helpful in this type of care. She is able to perform comprehensive assessments that support holistic care.
Paula's philosophy regarding medically intensive home health care is simple and straightforward. Paula tries to treat her clients as if she were in their situation. Number one lesson is to LISTEN — really LISTEN. Paula is super conscious that she is a guest in someone's home. Paula reminds herself constantly to keep her mouth shut and eyes open. She watches how the families and clients wish to do things in their own homes, and she follows suit. She also listens closely to her clients about how they want to direct their own care and believes that this is the key to home health care. Paula likes the whole approach to this type of care — keeping people in their homes, giving attention to the little things, reminding her clients to comply in the short run to reap the rewards at the end (e.g., follow instructions to avoid bed sores in order to get out and about).
Needless to say, Paula is very good at what she does. She has a lot of faith in herself and her nursing skills. Paula is simply one of our treasures. We know that she is one of the reasons why we continue to be successful. Thank you, Paula, for your continued commitment to our clients and to New Care.
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