 GOING THE EXTRA MILE — PEF
member Bernadette Bachman credits her staff for allowing
her the time to do more for consumers and co-workers.
— Photo by Rafael Delgado
Her open door
earns Fineson member ‘Employee of the Year’
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Enjoying her work and keeping an open-door policy earned
PEF member Bernadette Bachman the 2002 “Employee of
the Year” award at the Bernard Fineson Developmental
Disabilities Services Office in Queens.
“This is quite an honor,” said Bachman, a nurse
administrator. “There are many people here who, not
only do their jobs, but go the extra mile. The team here
is wonderful and the people are fabulous. That’s why
this is such an honor for me.”
Along with appreciating a dedicated staff, Bachman said
she enjoys working with consumers. “It’s
different every day and there is never a dull
moment,” she said.
“I know the consumers think I’m an advocate for
them, because they know my door is always open. And
it’s open to my staff, too.”
Taking time to
help
Division 207 Council Leader Elizabeth Cheese nominated
Bachman because of her accessibility and willingness to
help others.
“Bernadette always takes the time to assist anyone
who asks for help,” Cheese said. “She goes out
of her way for people and sticks with them, even in a
crisis situation. I’ve seen her walk people through
drug programs. She just works closely with anyone who has
a problem.”
Cheese, who works at Bernard Fineson as a recreational
therapist, also commended Bachman for the extra things
she does, such as treating her staff of 29 nurses to an
annual breakfast or luncheon.
“She pays for this out of her own pocket. Bernadette
is very generous and thoughtful,” Cheese added.
“I do go out of my way to help people,” Bachman
said. “If a co-worker requests information about a
specific drug they are taking, such as the side effects,
I’ll look it up for them. But I just consider that
to be part of my job. Maybe I’m able to do more in
my job because I have a staff of excellent nurses I can
trust.”
Working full
schedule
Bachman is the sole nurse administrator at the facility
and oversees the medical and nursing needs of 240
consumers. Her day starts at 6 a.m. when she makes
rounds. Additionally, she assigns schedules, maintains
evaluations, writes protocols and attends daily
“frequent incident” meetings.
She began working at Bernard Fineson in 1991 as a nurse
2. In 1999, while she was hospitalized for lung cancer,
the administration called her and offered her the
position of nurse administrator. She believes the love of
her work and the challenge of a new position speeded her
recovery.
Bachman outshined 30 nominees for “Employee of the
Year.” She will be honored this month by members in
Division 207 and will receive the award in Albany at the
governor’s office in November.
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