Welcome Students

REHABILITATION SERVICES STUDENT INFORMATION

THE FACILITY :

LOCATION : The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler is located 8 miles northeast of Tyler on Highway 271 at the Highway 155 intersection, approximately 3 miles from Interstate 20 (Highway 155 exit). It is approximately 100 miles east of Dallas and 100 miles west of Shreveport. Our 614-acre campus is located in the beautiful piney woods of East Texas, and includes two six-story buildings, a biomedical research building, a student housing complex, a four-story Ambulatory Care Building, and multiple other permanent and temporary buildings. See campus maps page.

HISTORY AND MISSION : The Health Science Center has been a component of The University of Texas System since 1977. Initially it was almost completely supported by State of Texas appropriations, but the amount of State support has gradually decreased so that now most of our operating expenses are generated by patient revenue, research grants, and income from other services. We have a legislatively mandated three-fold mission of patient care, education, and research. Our Mission is To Serve East Texas and Beyond Through Excellent Patient Care and Community Health, Comprehensive Education and Innovative Research.

PATIENT POPULATION : Major in-patient services include Cardiology, General Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, Oncology, Cardiovascular Surgery, General Surgery, and Family Practice. We do not have in-patient orthopedic or burn services, and ordinarily do not admit major trauma patients. We have had a large out-patient services program for several years, and programs in General Medicine, Center for Healthy Aging, Rheumatology, Occupational Medicine, Family Practice, Cardiology, Oncology, Pulmonary Medicine, and Pediatric Pulmonary Diseases are continuing to grow rapidly. Neurology, Orthopedics, Dermatology, Podiatry, and other out-patient clinics are also active. The majority of our patients are from the East Texas area, but as a State of Texas referral center for diseases of the heart and lungs, we have patients from all over Texas. Although we do provide a very limited amount of indigent care, most of our patients have some insurance and/or Medicare/Medicaid coverage.

MEDICAL STAFF : There are approximately 70 physicians who are full-time employees of the Health Science Center. Most are board certified in their specialty areas, and many are involved in clinical research. There are approximately 25 Family Practice residents. We also have a number of physicians who serve as consultants in specialty areas for which we do not have full-time faculty, and we accept referrals from them as well as from many physicians in the community and throughout the state.

THE REHABILITATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT

LOCATION : The main part of the Rehabilitation Services Department is located in Room 2124A . We also have a satellite clinic in Room 404B (fourth floor of Building B).

PERSONNEL : Current staff are listed on the Departmental Roster listed below.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES : Rehabilitation Services personnel provide services for in-patients and out-patients with a wide variety of diseases and disabilities. Major in-patient care programs include pre and post-operative evaluation and treatment of open heart surgery, thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, lung diseases, strokes, amputations, and other general medical problems. Out-patient services include evaluation and treatment of patients with acute and chronic orthopedic, neurologic, and rheumatologic problems, as well as work-related problems. We are actively involved with an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, and participate in rounds, conferences, and committees that contribute to quality patient care. We also actively participate in preventive health care programs for area industries by providing pre-placement testing, educational programs, and consultation for work-site and job task modification. Educational responsibilities include clinical instruction of PT and PTA students from several education programs; in-service education for hospital personnel; presentations for medical staff and students of other disciplines; tours and lectures for lay groups; and continuing education for ourselves. We have interest in implementing some clinical research projects in the future.

OUR STUDENT PROGRAM

ORIENTATION : You will be oriented to the Rehabilitation Services Department and to the Health Science Center starting at 8:30AM on the first day of your affiliation. The extent of your orientation will depend on whether you are here for a short affiliation early in your education program, or for a longer affiliation near the end of your program. A student handbook containing policies and procedures, patient care guidelines, copies of forms, facility and area information, reference materials, and other useful information will be provided for your use during the affiliation.

SUPERVISION : You will have an experienced professional staff member assigned to you as your clinical instructor. He or she will provide guidance and assistance as needed, supervise your patient care activities, arrange other learning experiences, and ensure that your Blue MACS (or other evaluation tool) is properly completed. The amount and type of supervision you are given will depend on your knowledge and skills, and on what you and your CI are comfortable with. Generally you can expect a gradual increase in responsibility and independence, but we do not consider students to be replacement for regular staff, and your CI or another staff member will always be available to provide guidance and assistance if needed. You will probably have the opportunity to work with other staff members and their patients too.

LEARNING EXPERIENCES : The primary reason for clinical affiliations is to help you integrate knowledge and apply professional skills in a clinical setting. Because of the varying nature of our patient load, you may have the opportunity to practice some skills a great deal and others rarely or never. We will review with you your goals for the affiliation (and your Blue MACS or other school criteria) within the first day or two, and will try to arrange appropriate patient care opportunities. Since we do have the appropriate patient care programs to give you experience in dealing with patients with cardiac and pulmonary problems, and since we feel that expertise in accommodating cardiopulmonary status is important to optimum care of patients with all types of problems, you should expect to work with these patients for a significant portion of your affiliation here. Since most of our outpatients are referred by our Physicians they usually have cardiopulmonary conditions underlying.

Non-patient care experiences, such as observation of specialized testing (pulmonary function testing; cardiac, pulmonary, thallium stress testing); observation of surgery and/or surgery videos, bronchoscopy, cardiac catherization, use of intra-aortic balloon pump, and other diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures; participation in interdisciplinary rounds and conferences; and observation in research or other clinical areas may be arranged for you, depending on your interests and the length of your stay.

Students assigned here for more than two weeks are expected to prepare and present an in-service or do a project of mutual benefit. We will help you with ideas and suggestions, if needed. We do expect a presentation that is professional and has utilized the most recent research on evaluation and treatment. We have an extensive Medical library and have access to the internet and to state of the art technology available for presentations.

LIBRARY AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES : The Health Science Center has the only biomedical library in East Texas, and it is conveniently located close to the Rehabilitation Services Department. In addition to the many pertinent reference books, journals, and audiovisual materials available here, we have computer search and interlibrary loan capabilities. Students are encouraged to use these facilities, and may check materials out. A reasonable amount of photocopying of materials related to this affiliation may be done at departmental expense. All library and Rehab. Services computers have internet access.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND POLICIES

HOURS : The Rehabilitation Services Department is open from 8:00AM TO 5:00PM Monday through Friday. You and your CI will establish and modify your schedule, but generally you will work either 8:00AM to 4:30PM or 8:30AM to 5:00PM. We cover in-patient on Saturdays.

DRESS CODE : You should wear appropriate street clothes (no jeans or sweats), a white lab coat or jacket, and comfortable shoes. Athletic shoes are acceptable. A temporary UTHSCT name tag will be provided, and must be worn. It is important that you do not wear cologne, perfume, aftershave, or other highly scented products that might be respiratory irritants. Ordinary deodorants, hair sprays, etc., should not be a problem.

MAIL : Mail should be addressed to you in care of the Rehabilitation Services Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, 11937 U.S. Highway 271, Tyler, TX 75708-3154. Mail is received once daily Monday through Friday around 4:00PM. Stamps are sold at the Gift shop located in the hospital lobby.

TELEPHONE : The main department phone number is (903) 877-7293. Personal calls during the work day should be short and infrequent. Personal long distance calls placed from Health Science Center and student housing phones must be charged to a calling card, authorized third party, or made collect. If you stay in student housing, you will have a direct dial number in your unit. Since you may not know this number until after you arrive, call your family and leave them the number. The hospital operators will not give out the phone number for your safety. The Dept. phone number for emergencies is (903) 877-7293.

MEALS : The hospital cafeteria serves three full meals each day. A variety of items are offered, and are individually priced. Breakfast is served from 6:30 to 8:30AM. Lunch is served from 10:45AM to 1:15PM, and dinner is served from 4:30PM to 6:15PM. There is also a vending area available 24 hours per day. If you prefer to bring your lunch, you are welcome to use the microwave and the refrigerator in the department. Staff and previous students have compiled a list of good places to eat in the Tyler area. We also have department lunches in conjunction with in-services, meetings, or birthdays, so you will get a good (free) meal once in a while!

LOCKERS : Individual lockers are available in the department, but you may want to bring your own lock if you plan to leave purses or other valuables in them.

PARKING : Free parking is available. Students staying in on-campus housing will usually leave their vehicles parked there. Others should park in the employee parking lot (see map). Parking permits will be issued on your first day at no charge. The campus police will ticket those in violation.

SMOKING : We hope you don’t, but if you do, you should know that there is a very strict no-smoking policy for staff, students and patients on campus. No tobacco products are allowed on campus.

EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE : Students are expected to be in good health and free of communicable diseases. If you should become ill or be injured during your affiliation, emergency care will be provided through the Employee Health Clinic, Family Practice Clinic, or Emergency Room. Should you need the services of a specialist not immediately available here, assistance will be provided in helping you locate needed services. Costs for services are your responsibility, but some discounts may apply. We will ask you to complete an emergency contact information form during your orientation.

TB TESTS : Tuberculosis skin tests are required and available at a cost of $10 during the affiliation. If you have had a recent test and do not want to have another one, bring a copy of the report.

HEPATITIS B : If you have had this highly recommended series of three vaccinations, please bring documentation.

CHECK CASHING : The Cashier’s Office at the Health Science Center will cash money orders and traveler’s checks. Cashing personal checks can be a problem, but we will give you some suggestions as to where to try. You can also use ATM cards to withdraw cash from your bank account if your bank is a member of the CIRRUS or PULSE networks. There is an ATM on site and a bank across the street, but with limited hours.

RECREATION, SHOPPING, LAUNDRY, ETC. : An area map is included in your packet. Previous students have contributed to a notebook of helpful information and suggestions for where to go (and where not to go). This information will be made available to you when you are here. There are laundry facilities beside the housing units, and a gas station across the street.

STUDENT HOUSING

RESERVATIONS : On-campus student housing is generally available for students from out of the Tyler area. Assignment is on a space available basis, so you should confirm the need for housing by calling or writing Caryn Vorsas, PT, Director of Rehabilitation Services as soon as possible after you know you will be coming here. E-mail caryn.vorsas@uthct.edu . The housing is used primarily by medical students and physical therapy students, but occasionally out-patients or family members are housed there for a short time. Cost is $350.00/month or $20.00/day if less than 1 full month.

FACILITIES : Most of the housing consists of motel-type units with 2 twin-size beds, 2 desks, 2 dressers, dorm size refrigerator, small microwave oven, color TV, telephone, and bathroom. Whether you will have a roommate (another student) depends on how many other students are here at the same time. Bed linens and towels are provided, and are laundered by the Health Science Center. Trash and garbage left outside your room will be picked up, and some weekly cleaning may be done by Housekeeping, but dish washing and other daily chores will be your responsibility. It is not a hotel. A small quantity and variety of microwave dishes and eating utensils should be in the unit, but if you plan to prepare and store food in your room, you should bring a can opener, food storage containers, sharp knife, dish washing supplies, paper towels, etc.. You may also be more comfortable with your own radio, alarm clock, favorite pillow, and other personal items.

CHECK IN : When you arrive on campus on a weekend, see the campus police officer at the police department (see map). The campus police officer will help you check-in to the housing, and will collect a $25 key deposit, which will be refunded when you return the key at the end of your stay. If you need to arrive earlier than the afternoon before your affiliation begins, please let us know so that we can be sure the unit is available and ready for you when you get here. Call us if you need to be picked up from the airport.

PREPARATION FOR THIS AFFILIATION

We enjoy working with students and look forward to your time with us. You should expect to be stimulated, challenged, encouraged, and helped. Identifying what you want and need to work on while here will help you get the most out of the experience. Since we do have a lot of cardiac and pulmonary patients, reviewing your notes and tests in those areas, if already covered in school, will be helpful. For inpatient affiliations becoming familiar with Dubin’s “Rapid Interpretation of EKGs” will also be helpful, but we don’t expect you to be an expert when you arrive. Be prepared for your affiliation whether it’s inpatient or outpatient. Please call, write, or e-mail if you have any questions or concerns.

REHABILITATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH CENTER AT TYLER
11937 U.S. HIGHWAY 271
TYLER, TEXAS 75708-3154
(903) 877-7293

caryn.vorsas@uthct.edu

DEPARTMENTAL ROSTER

Andrews, Lori
Physical Therapist

Crow, Mona
Physical Therapist Asst.

Holmes, Tom
Occupational Therapist

Massey, Diana
Physical Therapist Asst.

Celia Pechak
Physical Therapist

Vorsas, Caryn
Director, Physical Therapist

Yarbrough, Teresa
Administrative Assistant

Revised 11/21/2006MJC Reviewed 02/11/08MJC