Big Fork Valley Home Care

APPE Experience Types
Ambulatory Care
Patient Care

Address
258 Pine Tree Drive
Bigfork, MN 56628

Phone
218-743-3177

Main contact
Laurie Hensel, RN

Main Preceptor

Laurie Hensel, RN       

Email

Phone
1-800-708-33 38

218-743-1004

Teaching Philosophy

At Bigfork Valley Home Care we are committed to professional development.  We strive to enhance each student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills though hands on teaching.  We also hope to improve the student’s ability to do a complete patient assessment and make recommendations that will improve the patient’s quality of life.

We leave much room for personal interests to be addressed but expect you to expand your knowledge base while you are working with home care patients as well.  Initially, you will spend time with the home care nurses observing their services.  As the student feels comfortable, he or she will be able to conduct services on their own. 

Detailed Site Information

Institution
Bigfork Valley Home Care serves a large area of northern MN residents in need of nursing care in the home.  The home care nurses are also available to the 30 senior living apartments located on the Bigfork Valley Clinic and Hospital campus. 

Institutional Mission Statement and Vision

Mission:
The mission of Bigfork Valley is to provide a continuum of quality healthcare, housing and community services rooted in excellence and delivered with skill and compassion.

Vision:
To be a premier provider of health care and senior services through:
A philosophy recognizing patients and residents first
Skilled and compassionate employees
Visionary and progressive leadership
State-of-the-art facilities and technology

Pharmacy Services
Bigfork Valley Home Care offers a wide range of general medical services.  Some of the services offered include homemaking, assistance with medications, personal cares, IV therapies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care and respite care.   As a pharmacy student working for home care you are able to assist with medication set up, provide education to patients, family members and caregivers, learn and assist with wound care, do complete patient assessments, and communicate with physicians and other providers.  You are able to communicate with both the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services available in the clinic and hospital.

Professionalism and Assessment
Professionalism is expected from our students when working with patients, family members, nurses or physicians.  Your photo ID badge should be worn at all times.  We do not have a formal dress code.

We provide ongoing assessment with a final grading being done at the end of each 5 week block. 

Resources
The student is provided their own desk area with computer access, telephone, bulletin boards and file storage.  There is a shared fridge available for student use.  The student will be given keys to the home care office on the first day of the rotation.  Lodging and meals are available and should be set up prior to the rotation.   Free parking is available on campus. .