Mask screeners play a critical part in limiting the transmission of COVID-19 at Texas Health hospitals, a job that can be both fulfilling and challenging.
They greet anyone who comes to an open entrance at hospitals, direct them on how to use the provided hand sanitizer and masks, and screen them for symptoms of COVID-19.
“We mainly see people coming in for wound care, pregnant moms and people who are lost in general,” said Tierra Moore, who recently was at the door of the Hamon building at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. She normally works in the hospital’s fitness center. “I’ve seen some of our members, one of my kid’s schoolteachers, nurses, patient care technicians, people I haven’t seen in forever. It’s been rewarding.”
Danielle McClure, a dietitian who also has been assisting at the entrance, said it can be difficult to enforce the guidelines.
“It’s hard for us down here to be turning people away. But it’s really given me appreciation for other jobs and how much training goes into every other position at the hospital. For example, I’ve helped people in wheelchairs, so I know more about what Transport does,” she said.
Suzette Mory, a greeter at the same entrance and also a fitness center employee, said she’s happy to have the work.
“I am appreciative that Texas Health has provided a place for employees like me to continue to work when our departments are closed,” she said.
Kelly Murphy, senior director of professional services, said the screeners, along with many other hospital departments, deal with shifting protocols as Texas Health makes changes through the pandemic to keep employees and visitors safe.
“These screeners are amazing,” he said. “They get 15 minutes of training before their first screener shift and we expect them to screen perfectly every time to keep our campus safe.”
He said his team trains screeners daily at 6:30 a.m. seven days a week. His team also rounds on the screener stations twice a day.
“They are dedicated and serious about keeping our patients, visitors and employees safe,” he said.
Visitor Claire Amberson, who has been to the hospital twice because she is pregnant, had nothing but praise for the greeters.
“I feel like it’s such a scary time and I was kind of nervous going into my appointment,” she said. “We’ve been kind of on lockdown at our house — we’re taking all the measures very seriously. But I could not feel more comfortable. It’s the safest place I have felt throughout all of this.”
Pictured: Suzette Mory, a mask screener at Texas Health Dallas, checks a temperature at the Hamon building entrance.
By Judy Wiley • Posted April 27, 2020
