Providence Mount St. Vincent Wins Washington State Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award
Submitted by: Flash Media Services
2009-10-17 00:00:55
Providence Mount St. Vincent, a non-profit assisted living and skilled nursing home in West Seattle, on Oct. 16 received the 2009 Washington State Psychologically Healthy Workplace award presented by the Washington State Psychological Association.
Seattle, WA (OPENPRESS) October 17, 2009 -- Providence Mount St. Vincent, a non-profit assisted living and skilled nursing home in West Seattle, on Oct. 16 received the 2009 Washington State Psychologically Healthy Workplace award presented by the Washington State Psychological Association.
The award is given to employers that practice exemplary practices to create a psychologically healthy workplace to benefit the employer and the employees, said Anne Purcell, Ph.D., of the Washington State Psychological Association. Through a questionnaire and site visit, the association assesses employee safety and health, employee training and development, employee involvement in a business's practices, and whether and how businesses solicit employee feedback.
Purcell said the awards committee was "very positively impressed by Providence Mount St. Vincent and the philosophy underlying patient care/well-being by promoting a sense of community via `neighborhoods' within the long-term care facility."
The committee called "exemplary" Providence Mount St. Vincent's disaster planning, which, during a disaster, offers a safe place for family members to stay while an employee is at work. The committee also called out "Emily's Cupboard," an internal food bank that provides food staples at the end of the month to employees. "This is another thoughtful, supportive example of addressing the physical and psychological needs of employees," she said.
Employees routinely mentioned their appreciation for the chaplain who drops by to talk with staff members when a resident dies. "This was mentioned several times by employees as one way their employer acknowledged and met their psychological and spiritual needs," Purcell said. "I found it truly heartwarming to see how Providence Mount St. Vincent worked to have a psychologically healthy workplace for their employees. This employer is very deserving and I am delighted to be able to shine the spotlight on them and give them the award."
Providence Mount St. Vincent accepted the award at a luncheon during the Washington State Psychological Association's Fall Conference, held at The Doubletree Hotel in Seattle. The theme for the conference was "A Health Care Summit," making it especially fitting to have a winner be a health care provider whose commitment to residents is also reflected in practices for their employees.
The award is given to spotlight how good practices create a psychologically healthy workplace that benefits the employer and the employees. "We're hoping that businesses begin to see what a contribution it can make to apply some good psychological practices," Purcell said. "And often the cost is very small to do it. We want good employers to be recognized and encouraged."
About Providence Mount St. Vincent:
Providence Mount St. Vincent (The Mount) is a vibrant senior living community in West Seattle. Nationally recognized as a leader in resident-directed care, The Mount offers assisted living apartments, skilled nursing in a neighborhood setting, rehabilitation and sub-acute care, as well as an adult day program and wellness clinic. The Mount also is home to a day care center for preschool age children and features many intergenerational activities for seniors and children. The Mount's philosophy honors the physical, social and spiritual needs of its residents and program participants. Established in 1924, Providence Mount St. Vincent is home to more than 400 elderly residents. It is located at 4831 35th Ave SW. For more information go to www.providence.org/themount.
About the Washington State Psychological Association:
The Washington State Psychological Association has represented the profession of psychology in the State of Washington for more than 60 years. Its mission is to support psychologists and psychologists-in-training and to promote the practice of psychology to maintain the vitality of the profession in the public interest. For more information, go to www.wapsych.org.
Contact:
Arlene Carter
Providence Mount St. Vincent
206-938-6191
Arlene.carter@providence.org
