Katie Jones of Infection Control is the latest Texas Children’s Super Star employee. “Working at Texas Children’s has afforded me the opportunity to grow as an educator and presenter, so that I can share my passion for infection control with health care providers and encourage them to be infection prevention advocates in their own areas,” Jones said. Read more of her interview below and find out how you can nominate a Super Star.
Your name, title and department. How long have you worked here?
Katie Jones, Infection Control Coordinator, Infection Control. I started working for Texas Children’s in July 2015.
What month are you Super Star for?
September 2016
Tell us how you found out you won a super star award.
I thought I was attending a regularly scheduled staff meeting, and at the last minute we changed rooms. When I arrived, I saw that leaders from quality and critical care nursing were at the table. They do not normally attend our regular weekly staff meetings. My manager said he had an announcement, it all felt very serious with our additional guests in attendance so I was a little worried at first – but then he announced that I had received the Super Star award! It was very surprising and flattering! It was so much fun to share that moment with my department and enjoy cake and punch with them.
What does it mean to be recognized for the hard work you do? How has the organization helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?
Everyone I encounter at Texas Children’s gives 110 percent of themselves every day, so it is really an honor to be selected. Working at Texas Children’s has afforded me the opportunity to grow as an educator and presenter, so that I can share my passion for infection control with health care providers and encourage them to be infection prevention advocates in their own areas.
What do you think makes someone at Texas Children’s a super star?
Coming to work every day ready to say “yes” to any challenge.
What is your motivation for going above and beyond every day at work?
I believe there is a patient advocacy element to everyone’s job in a health care environment – even if you don’t provide direct patient care. I love that by working in Infection Control, I have an opportunity to play a role in the development and implementation of initiatives that can protect our patients and help Texas Children’s continue to be a leader in patient care, research, and education.
What is the best thing about working at Texas Children’s?
I am inspired every day by the passion exhibited by our frontline health care workers and my fellow infection control team members. We are all very supportive of each other and one person’s success is a victory for the whole team.
What does it mean to you that everyone at Texas Children’s is considered a leader? What is your leadership definition?
Leaders identify themselves by their actions, not their job title. By encouraging everyone to put our patients and their families first, the behavior that makes someone a leader in their own role is naturally supported.
Anything else you want to share?
I want to thank the Shannon Holland and the PICU team for nominating me for this award. It is truly a privilege to work with them.