What's Happening?
Seven University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) students are currently working as service navigators at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. This initiative places students in non-clinical roles, allowing them to gain exposure to healthcare environments while
acting as liaisons between patients, families, and hospital staff. The Service Navigator Program was jointly developed by Dr. Christopher Pierret, head of biology at UAFS, and Mercy leaders. It aims to provide undergraduate students pursuing healthcare-related careers, such as biomedical sciences and pre-nursing, with immersive patient experience opportunities. Students completed Mercy's onboarding requirements and orientation, including department-specific training, infection prevention education, health screenings, and de-escalation training, before starting their assignments in September. Each student works approximately 12 hours per week from September through December, under the guidance of Mercy department mentors. Areas of student involvement include the emergency room, hospital entrance, inpatient units, and oncology infusion. Unlike traditional volunteer positions, service navigators directly engage with patients and visitors in defined non-clinical capacities, focusing on improving communication, reducing anxiety, supporting patient understanding, and enhancing the overall care experience.
Why It's Important?
This collaboration between UAFS and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith is significant for several reasons. It provides a practical, real-world learning experience for aspiring healthcare professionals, bridging the gap between academic study and clinical practice. By working directly with patients and staff, students develop crucial communication and interpersonal skills essential for compassionate care, which are often difficult to acquire solely through classroom instruction. For Mercy Hospital, the program enhances patient experience by providing additional support and communication channels, potentially leading to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. Furthermore, this initiative strengthens the local healthcare workforce pipeline by retaining talent within the Arkansas River Valley, as students gain valuable experience and connections that could lead to future employment in the region. The program also demonstrates a commitment from both institutions to community development and addressing the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.
What's Next?
At the end of the semester in December, mentors at Mercy Hospital will complete evaluations for the service navigators, which students may use toward academic credit requirements. This structured feedback mechanism will be crucial for the students' professional development and academic progression. The success of this initial cohort could lead to the expansion of the Service Navigator Program, potentially involving more students, departments, or even other healthcare facilities in the region. Continued collaboration between UAFS and Mercy Hospital is anticipated, as both institutions share a commitment to the communities of the Arkansas River Valley. The program's long-term impact will likely be seen in the quality and preparedness of future healthcare professionals entering the workforce in Fort Smith and surrounding areas, as well as in the ongoing enhancement of patient care services at Mercy Hospital.
