registered nurse

medical assistant

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VHC Health

Unfortunately my last experience with VHC has caused me to leave a less than positive review, but I feel it necessary in an effort to pay it forward for others.

In order for a work environment to not feel hostile but instead safe, two things need to be in place; effective communication with all levels of management and management’s ability to compromise in times of need. VHC failed at both of these necessities. Management of all levels and Human Resources (HR) are less than professional thereby providing no top cover nor a safe working environment. HR only sides with management to benefit the hospital – not the employee or ultimately both. The lack of accountability has led to discrimination & nepotism.

As a direct reflection of budget manipulation, time cards were allowed to be approved although inaccurate and job status codes were changed without employee’s consent or any type of counseling. There was no consideration for proposed alternate work schedules during COVID-19 and the inability to comply with non-compromised schedules were considered grounds for involuntary resignation. Positions are not being written to reflect the actual job requirements and the peer interview process does not award employees a fair opportunity to have a part in selecting their peers. Speaking out and telling the truth leads to consequences versus being heard and finding solutions.

I have experienced on two separate occasions where HR was a part of the equation, yet there was no favorable solution. Good management should strive to promote a solution that is best for both the organization and the employee – that does not happen in VHC. Although VHC has the potential to be a great place to work, potential and execution are entirely two different things.

Good Luck!

A typical day as a nurse at VHC- well, bedside nursing is bedside nursing, the only differences are the culture, people you work with, policies, and benefits.  Benefits imo are great, every time I go vhc for care, everything is covered 100%. The only issue I believe is the spouse premium for being under my insurance which takes out about $200/paycheck pretax but that adds up big time. Made a big difference in my take home pay.

Policies are different of course to other hospitals and unit to unit. The one thing I can say is that they are on going and a work in progress all the time. It’s always changing so get used to that.
You’ll run into head scratchers here and there, like just something wrong about working xmas night and not getting time and a half? You have to work the eve and you get 12hrs premium. It goes for all holidays. Just doesn’t seem right when I work thanksgiving night and not getting the premium. I mean I did sacrifice the day and sleep all day to work the holiday night, right?
Lots of call outs on another unit which forces our unit to bring in our on call ppl to float to theirs which is pretty frustrating. We even have to work multiple on call shifts per 6 week period for our short staffing and to cover other units...just not right.

The occurrence system is travesty as well. We all know how bad the traffic is in the dmv, if there’s an accident, you’re penalized. If you forget to clock in, you’re penalized. Sick with the flu, penalized. You get 7 occurrences and there’s some kind of warning or disciplinary action. It’s just unsafe imo. I be like dale ernhardt on the beltway trying to get here on time. Or if I have the flu on a weekend, I’m definitely coming in. No call out for you!

Overall I like where I work, the grass is never greener, to each our own. You choose where you want to work.

The management is poor at this hospital and the staff turn-over rate is inexcusable.  Their approach seems to be, now, that they should remove all of the older and more experienced nurses, replacing them with far cheaper nurses straight out of school.  This creates an unsafe environment for the patients and the staff.  There is a lot of lip service to caring about staff and how they can advance the care for patients, but their activities bely their words.  They are all about the money they can make and the "awards" they can add to their list (most of which can't stand up to scrutiny as being valid).  Since they are one of the few health care facilities not owned by the mega-corporation in this area, they have a larger pool of unsatisfied employees to draw from, who then find out this hospital is not the panacea it was portrayed as.  One thing they can claim is a very smiling public face; note I said public.  Staff is not included in this.  Co-workers are not dealt with equitably and job ratings have nothing to do with performance, just which manager the person has gotten in good with.  Politics and money rule the hospital.  This is super disappointing since I bought into their speeches as much as everyone, only to watch it deteriorate.

Seemed like a great place to work at first but after being here, have noticed this place has many more problems than strong points.
Biggest problems include:
1) High employee turnover rate - constantly losing good nurses, physicians (more than 5 hospital employed hospitalists left in past 6 months), IR physicians leaving right and left.  This is due to a culture of unsustainable expectations, being overworked and underpaid and attitude by management that employees are replaceable parts.
2) Lack of support from management - Leaders concerned about making money and not about employee satisfaction. Leads to fear from employees.
3) Overworked - Increasing patient load, constantly increasing expectations with no increase in salary
4) Poor IT Dept - Still with handwritten physician notes
5) Strained Nurse-Physician Relationships - Most physicians are polite, respectful but a handful of the older physicians are rude and disrespectful to nurses.  Management won't do anything since these physicians are senior in experience and all friendly with upper managements.  
6) Very political working environment - Lots of drama during daily interactions.  Knew one coworker who got on the bad side of nursing administrator and they made sure her daily work experience was miserable, essentially forcing her to leave.  On the contrary, I've seen people slide by with worse things since they are in good favors with hospital management.

I worked for VHC for almost 6 years, and honestly, I don't regret it, but I wish I had left a long time ago. The medical assistants are overworked and lied to when they are hired. They tell them they will work for a certain department and next thing you know you are sent to another department to work at. While I was there, I noticed that this particular hospital goes through many medical assistants, managers, and even doctors. The workplace culture truly depends on the office you are working at. For instance, I worked at an office that was truly toxic and lacked teamwork and team players. The front desk staff are more concerned about judging the medical assistants, talking inappropriate things that patients can hear, online shopping, and so much more--sadly. I feel that no matter how much you have given to a department, you are out if you commit one offense. However, it seems that that goes depending on who you are. There have been staff members that commit unacceptable offenses, and they remain working. In contrast, others have done an insignificant offense and are dismissed regardless of their contribution to a department. The most enjoyable part of working is the bond you create with regular patients and the provider you are assigned to work for.  Other than that, this organization needs a lot of improvement and to learn the value of medical assistants, not just the providers. Not to mention, set more zero-tolerance gossip rules.

I worked for a total of 17 years for Virginia Hospital Center.

I was shocked that VHC showed no mercy when a new nurse manager came to the hospital and cherry picked many of the experienced (and expensive) staff to terminate. Before her first year was over, about a dozen souls were gone. No good bye parties. Some were forced to leave in shame. Others, left out of disgust.

The staff terminated were not given warnings or a chance to adjust to a new leadership style. A classier leader would have led by example and brought the team up to her standards. We all need to be challenged and pushed to always do the right thing. The staff members terminated, in my opinion, had not harmed patients. Actually, the staff members first targeted were the ones most likely to go out of their way to help a patient. Many of these staff members held awards for their expertise and had received far more compliments than complaints from clients.

Nevertheless, for a new Virginia Hospital Center employee, VHC is probably a good place to work. Just make sure you follow all the rules all of the time. I'm sure that patients are still being cared for with respect, or at least I would like to think so. Apparently, it is not uncommon for a new nurse manager to clear the house as she sets her standards up for all to see. But, the price she pays is the loss of respect and loyalty of the remaining staff who did not leave.

VHC is a high performing smaller hospital both of which has allow it to be more flexible in adapting to the ever changing environment that healthcare lives in.  There is a focus from administration on down of always keeping quality and safety in the forefront while looking for ways to improve efficiency and keep the hospital on stable financial ground.  The Hospital and my department's  leadership  work to provide transparency to all employees and really promote the mission which is "to be the best hospital". They take employee feedback to heart and survey employees annually. My direct manager was promoted from within the department and  is connected to all of her employees, promotes ways for self care in the work day as well as  maintaining a good work/life balance for all staff.  There are always opportunities for growth clinically through program development and as positions open into more administrative roles. Clinically if you enjoy working along side high performing co-workers who will continue to challenge you and help foster your learning, as well as do everything they can to support you when life throws you a curve ball this is a great place to work. The best part of the job is the people I work with, both patients and co-workers. I can't recommend VHC enough.

What is the best part of working at the company?
There was nothing best about working here at the hospital I mean don’t get me wrong loved working there because I loved what I was doing but the supervisors was not good at all now I had some health problems and it was keeping me outta work but I was getting all of that done I was getting my health in place I  was always at work never missed a day only when i wasn’t feeling good and because of my health problem they let me go they ain’t try to give me a another chance or anything they let me go and even when I tried to come back after they let me go still haven’t tried to reach out anything it wasn’t the hospital it was the people in the hospital I would work back there but I don’t know anymore 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Everything they didn’t care if u was sick or even if u was on your death bed they want you at work trust me I been at work sick so many times and they still didn’t care 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Supervisor doesn’t care about there employees 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
In front of a computer helping customers and making sure my work is done

culturally diversity, great waterfall to eat by, has a subway connected to cafeteria.  
typical day very busy, can be over book for patients at times.  There are Three scanners; however, each is scheduled  13-16 out-patients daily for out-patients, not enough time allotted for the care of in-patients.
I have learned how to use the wedge cushions to help better elevate patients head, using the head coil. I was allowed to train on the 3T Siemen's scanner.
Co-workers are better now that their stress level has lessen with the hiring of contractors. 
I cant really think if there is really a hard part. I take it has a learning curve on the job, because each  place of employment is different. the environments are different so I learn to adapt.
the most enjoyable part of my job: is helping  patients take care of their health needs and hearing them say "thank you for taking care me" , that's make a great day and put a smile on my face. Then I know I have done my job.

Customer/patient/family focused.....
A job culture of genuine enjoyment of taking care of people
Co-workers are friendly, most are extremely helpful
Some managers are wonderful
Some Growth opportunites, especially for clinical staff
Clinical staff makes excellent income
Some general staff make a decent income
Educational opportunities
Top 100, Top 50 hospital in the nation

The hardest part of the job is the lack of consideration to employees...
We go the extra mile to provide an environment of compassion, integrity and superior medical care, but when we are sick or our families are sick - no compassion
Upper and middle management has some work to do in their departments about behaviors.
Some departments have high turnover rates
Salaries could be better, this is an award wining hospital in Arlington County no less and employees are still making $8.00 to $13.00 an hour

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Registered nurse 10 salaries reported	$48.65 per hour
Medical assistant 2 salaries reported	$22.43 per hour
Clinical technician 4 salaries reported	$22.50 per hour
Nurse practitioner 3 salaries reported	$135,000 per year
Health screener 18 salaries reported	$35.00 per hour

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