Department Information

TIER 1

Acute Rehabilitation Unit

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The 28-bed Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) provides comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services. Individualized treatment programs are carried out by our expert staff including our board certified medical director, rehabilitation nurses and therapists. 

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department are able to observe and interact with physical, occupational and speech therapists as they aid patients through the rehabilitation process. Additionally, Health Scholars are active within the unit floor as well as the rehabilitation gym and pool. 

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Rehabilitation.

Department Coordinator: TBD. ahglacuterehab@copehealthscholars.org

Orthopedic/Surgical Units 

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

Orthopedics provides patients with convenient access to a full-service Orthopedics program. The program includes highly skilled teams of professionals that specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions, diseases and injuries (conditions affect bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves throughout the body) in a state-of-the-art care facility.  

The Surgical department specializes in treating patients following general surgeries, and caring for patients undergoing radiation therapy, epidural anesthesia and PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia). Located in the West Tower, this inpatient unit features 20 private rooms with specialized equipment promoting patient mobility and independence. As part of a commitment to provide the highest quality of care, staff manage patients’ concerns regarding pain, level of function and surgery outcomes

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this departments are able to interact with Physical and Occupational therapists as well as various physicians assisting in the recovery process of their patients.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Pre and post-operative care, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and Orthopedics (study and care of bones, ligaments, tendons and joints).

Department Coordinator: Emil G.  ahglortho@copehealthscholars.org

4 Medical

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The 4 Medical department has 10 private rooms and 12 semi-private rooms. 4 Medical prides itself in the diversity of patients it serves. Specialties include Gestational Diabetes and Acute Detoxification. This unit cares for many behavioral health patients with medical ailments; typically, 30-50% of the unit census are behavioral health patients. The nursing staff takes even more pride in the teamwork they have established with one another.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department get to witness first hand treatment of patients with various behavioral and mental disorders from experienced nurses and doctors.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Behavioral Medicine, Medical Psychology, and Public Health.

Department Coordinator: Knar G. ahgl4med@copehealthscholars.org

Oncology

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

Oncology prides itself in the care it provides to all its patients with specialties that include care of the Pulmonary and Oncology patients and Chemotherapy. The department provides care for the general patients as well as specialty care for oncology patients. Chemotherapy administration, intravenous hydration, bone marrow aspiration, thoracentesis, intravenous antibiotic administration and blood transfusion are some of the treatments provided to adult patients. The unit provides outpatient infusion services after hours and on weekends. Additionally, the unit provides a hospice ward which ensures the patient a comforting environment for end of life care. The nursing staff takes even more pride in the teamwork they have established with one another.

Unique Opportunities: Since it’s a POD 1 department, Oncology is often one of the first choices Health Scholars make during their COPE Careers. If you prefer a low-intensity, gradual introduction to the world of medicine, with lots of time to interview nurses about their experience in the medical field, this is the department for you! The CNAs love to train new volunteers, so they’ll teach you a variety of skills that set you up for success in your future departments.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Cancer treatment and care, Geriatric Care, and Palliative (End-of-Life) care.

Department Coordinator: Nevart M. ahgloncology@copehealthscholars.org

TIER 2

Administration - Human Resources

Shifts Available: Monday through Friday 9am to 1pm, 10am to 2pm, or 12pm to 4pm (8 hour weekly minimum required, 2 rotations commitment)

Human Resources is a core component of the hospital. This department is responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing and placing workers in a company. They manage payroll, benefits and employee training. Human resources managers go a step beyond by analyzing and helping to organize the workforce to best use employee talents. They also mediate disputes and advise on policies. If you’ve thought of working in human resources, learn which personal and professional traits you’ll need to succeed in these careers.

Consider this department if you're interested in: Health Administration and Policies

Department Coordinator: Tyler J. ahgladmindepts@copehealthscholars.org 

Pharmacy

Shifts Available: Everyday – 9am to 1pm, 1pm to 5pm, 5pm to 9pm

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department get an opportunity to be part of the pharmacy team and see how orders get processed, prescriptions get filled, and how the pharmacy in a hospital works. 

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Pharmacy (PharmD) or Pharmacy Technician programs

Department Coordinator: Tyler J.  ahgladmindepts@copehealthscholars.org 

Cardiac Interventional Telemetry Unit (CITU) 

Shifts Available: Everyday – 7am to 11am, 11am to 3pm, 3pm to 7pm, 7pm to 11pm

CITU specializes in the care of critically ill adult pre- and post-cardiac surgical and interventional patients. This is one of the primary telemetry units for the hospital’s Chest Pain Center (accredited by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care Center). Common diagnoses and conditions include acute coronary syndrome, chest pain, coronary heart failure and pre/post open heart surgery to name a few... 

Unique Opportunities: This unit is often known for its friendly and engaging staff thus, scholars have the opportunity to interact closely with nurses and take part in various activities and duties on the floor. Many physicians from various specialties such as internal medicine and cardiology, frequently round on the unit, providing scholars the opportunity to shadow in preparation for a health care profession. Shadowing opportunities include but are not limited to watching wound dressing changes, maintenance of chest tubes, and bladder scans.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Cardiovascular disease and care.

Department Coordinator: Mariangel K. ahglcitu@copehealthscholars.org

Cardiac Telemetry (CTU)

Shifts Available: Everyday – 7am to 11am, 11am to 3pm, 3pm to 7pm, 7pm to 11pm

CTU is a 34-bed unit located on the 3rd floor of the East Tower that specializes in the care of critically ill adult cardiac, medical, and surgical patients. Patients in this unit are frequently recovering from a serious intervention or cardiac event. Despite patients being in stable condition while in CTU, they must be continuously monitored. As such, code blues and other emergencies requiring intervention are frequent on this unit. Common diagnoses and conditions include myocardial infarction (heart attack), renal failure, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department interact closely with the nurses on this floor. With CTU being large and each nurse assigned 3 to 4 patients minimum, scholars will have a range of activities and duties on the floor. Given its large size, many physicians from different specialties frequently round on the unit, providing scholars the opportunity to shadow in preparation for medical school. Given the large number of nurses, many shadowing opportunities are available for nursing students, as well.

Consider this department if you’re interested in Cardiovascular disease and care

Department Coordinator: Karina D. ahglctu@copehealthscholars.org

Neuro Telemetry Unit (NTU)

Shifts Available: Everyday – 7am to 11am, 11am to 3pm, 3pm to 7pm, 7pm to 11pm

NTU specializes in the care of critically ill adult patients with acute primary neurological diagnoses requiring close monitoring and neuro checks. This is the primary telemetry unit for the hospital’s Stroke Center (designated by the Joint Commission). Common neuroscience diagnoses and conditions include traumatic injuries, seizure disorders and central nervous tumors.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department are able to witness care of patients with neurological disorders. This care includes physical and speech rehabilitation for patients who may have lost some of their abilities.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Neurological disease and care, and Physical and Speech Therapy.

Department Coordinator: Ashley A. ahglntu@copehealthscholars.org

TIER 3

Critical Care Units (ICU, CICU, SICU)

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The Critical Care Unit is an interdisciplinary unit focusing on patients that require intensive care. The department is divided into 3 units based on patient diagnosis. SICU focuses primarily on patients that have undergone surgical and/or interventional therapies, CICU focuses primarily on acute cardiac patients and ICU focuses primarily on medically critical patients. All patients require frequent monitoring and occasional bedside procedures.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars get to witness procedures such as ventriculostomies, central/mid-line placement and patient intubation. They can also witness holistic group review from a patient’s entire care team (the process were all members of a patient’s care team from nurses to specialists come together to decide the patient’s care plan).

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Internal, Emergency and Surgical Medicine, intensive level of care, and cutting edge medication and medical technology.

Department Coordinator: Maddie G.  ahglcicu@copehealthscholars.org 

2-Medical 

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The 2-Medical Unit is a 34-bed unit specializing in the care of a variety of patients, integrating Med-Surg and Telemetry-level care. This unit is a critical component of the hospital's comprehensive care strategy. Common diagnoses and conditions managed include cardiac events, diabetes complications, respiratory distress, and post-operative recovery, among others.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars and interns in this department collaborate closely with nursing staff to monitor patients receiving or recovering from medical and surgical treatments. Participants in this program may observe and assist with the management of telemetry equipment, medication administration, and other essential nursing procedures.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Medical-surgical nursing, telemetry, and comprehensive patient care.

Department Coordinator: Ridah S. ahgl2med@copehealthscholars.org 

Step Down Unit 

Shifts Available: Everyday – 7am to 11am, 11am to 3pm, 3pm to 7pm, 7pm to 11pm

The Step Down Unit (SDU) is a 20-bed unit specializing in the care of patients requiring a level of care between intensive care and medical-surgical telemetry. SDU delivers telemetry and ICU-level care with a patient to nurse ratio of 3:1 and a patient to CNA ratio of 10:1. When telemetry nurses are assigned to SDU, the ratio adjusts to 4:1. This unit plays a critical role in the hospital’s care continuum, serving as an intermediate care level for patients who are too stable for ICU but too critical for standard Med-Surg care.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars and healthcare professionals working in this department will gain experience in a transitional care setting that bridges critical and routine care. This includes monitoring complex telemetry devices, managing patients stepping down from higher levels of care, and engaging in high-acuity nursing practices.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Telemetry, intermediate critical care, and advanced patient monitoring.

Department Coordinator: Arpi S. ahglsdu@copehealthscholars.org 

TIER 4

Behavioral Health - Psych Acute (PAC)

Shifts Available: Everyday – 7am to 11am, 11am to 3pm, 3pm to 7pm, 7pm to 11pm

Behavioral Health - Psych Acute (PAC) Unit is a 41-bed unit specializes in the care of patients affected by mental illness and related disorders requiring close monitoring. PAC specializes in interactive care made up of five to seven groups per day. Group activities include but are not limited to occupational therapy, movement such as dance and yoga, mindful meditation, and verbal group therapy. Behavioral Health Nurses work closely with patients to provide psychiatric care, dual-diagnosis treatment, and community support activities to patients. 

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department get to witness first hand treatment of patients with various behavioral and mental disorders from experienced nurses and doctors. Scholars also assist and interact with patients in various group activities administered by the nursing staff in the unit. 

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Behavioral Medicine, Medical Psychology, and Public Health.

Department Coordinator:  TBD ahglPAC@copehealthscholars.org

Emergency Department 

Shifts Available: Everyday – 7am to 11am, 11am to 3pm, 3pm to 7pm, 7pm to 11pm

The Emergency Department (ED) at AHGL is a comprehensive care center that is well equipped to meet any medical crisis from bandaging scrapes and bruises to treating cardiac arrest. The main ED unit is divided into 3 zones (blue, green, yellow). Each zone is assigned a team comprised of a nurse, physician or physician assistant, and EMT. The goal of the ED staff is to improve AHGL’s customer's condition, quickly and comfortably. The ED has 36 beds (28 beds in the Main ED; 8 beds in Super-Fast Track).

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department have witnessed various levels of trauma and a wide variety of diseases and the steps taken to ensure patient care. Scholars have been incorporated into response team during a Code Blue response to a STEMI (heart attack) and a stroke. Scholars also get to witness major procedures such as central and mid lines as well as minor procedures in Fast Track such as abscess drainage and suture placement.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Emergency medicine, Public Health, and Triage

Department Coordinator: Mariana D. ahgled@copehealthscholars.org

Couplet Care/NICU

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The Couplet Care (or postpartum) department is where mothers and infants go after delivery. The unit offers 15 spacious, private rooms, each featuring its own bathroom. A separate procedure room is designated for newborn circumcisions. An infant security system is in place for the safety of all newborns. The emphasis of couplet care (i.e. to keep a mother and infant together after birth) is to facilitate family bonding, support successful breastfeeding, and increase patient satisfaction. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit comprises of 14 California Children’s Services licensed beds, where neonatal services are provided for premature babies or babies that require a higher level of care beyond the scope of normal newborn care.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department in the past have taken care of newborns performing or assisting in tasks such as first baths, swaddling and changing. Scholars have also witnessed circumcisions and neonatal procedures.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Shifting in Labor and Delivery, Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/Gyn) medicine, Pediatrics, and Neonatal care.

Department Coordinator: Helen B. ahglcoupletcare@copehealthscholars.org

Radiology

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am-10:30am, 10:30am-2:30pm, 2:30pm-6:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm

The Radiology Department provides diagnostic imaging services to inpatients and outpatients of all ages. Services provided include: peripheral and cerebral angiography, computerized tomography (CT), MRI, Nuclear Medicine, ultrasound and peripheral vascular studies. Nuclear Medicine services include  producing radiologic images, interpretation, transcription and delivery of reports, image processing, files, arranging for patient transportation and performing diagnostic and therapeutic studies. CT scans and MRIs both capture visual representations of each patient’s body, which include images of the brain, sinus, heart, knee, or chest. During stroke alerts, CT scans can be used to identify hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes, showing either a lack of blood or bleeding within the cranial cavity of the head.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department have witnessed imaging on patients with tumors, gunshot wounds, ischemic strokes, knee displacements as well as biopsies. They have also learned the science behind how these images and scans are produced and how they are read and interpreted. Finally, scholars witness plan of action for patient care. 

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Diagnostic Imaging (using various imaging techniques to figure out the origin/pathway of disease), Interventional Radiology, and Pathology

Department Coordinator: KeXin Y. ahglradiology@copehealthscholars.org 

For female HS: Due to possible radiation exposure, if you are expecting or planning a pregnancy, please inform the Program Manager in advanced as a safety precaution.

Tier 5

Cardiac Catheter Lab

Shifts Available: Monday through Friday: 7am-11am, 11am-3pm (No Weekend Shifts)

Cardiac Cath Lab provides the highest quality special procedures services to all inpatients and outpatients with acute and chronic cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Such procedures include coronary angiography, stent and pacemaker insertion, neuro vascular intervention procedures to name a few.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department get an early opportunity to be part of the care team in an Operating Room and have witnessed multiple procedures including aortic valve replacements, pacemaker insertions, spinal taps, embolism excision and many more. Scholars also have had these procedures explained in depth by the professionals performing them.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Cardiovascular medicine and surgery, neurosurgery, and cutting edge medical technology and techniques.

Department Coordinator: David G. ahglcathlab@copehealthscholars.org 

Labor and Delivery

Shifts Available: Everyday – 6:30am to 10:30am, 10:30am to 2:30pm, 2:30pm to 6:30pm, 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The Labor & Delivery Unit is utilized for high risk antepartum, laboring or pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative Cesarean Section and Tubal Ligation patients. Central fetal monitoring is in place for continuous visualization of fetal monitor tracings. Health Scholars will care for pregnant women before, during, and after delivery. The unit staff consists of Registered Nurses, one Nurse Supervisor, and the Unit Secretary. Other staff members include Doctors, OB/GYNs, Anesthesiologists, and Scrub Technicians. Health Scholars can observe natural births and Cesarean-sections, help with patient transport, assist nurses with interdepartmental errands, and care for patients before and immediately after delivery. Health Scholars will be able to assist with room turnovers, learn about sterile fields and what proper actions must be taken before entering, ensure that delivery rooms are always well-stocked, as well as learning how to read the white board for expected delivery time.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department have witnessed procedures including natural birth, Cesarean section procedures and epidural administration and have had these procedures explained in real time by the professionals performing them.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/Gyn) medicine, Pediatrics, and Anesthesiology. 

Department Coordinator: Ashley C. ahglld@copehealthscholars.org

Gastrointestinal Lab

Shifts Available: Monday through Friday: 8am to 12pm (No Weekend Shifts)

GI Lab offers an array of procedures, the staff help diagnose and monitor a variety of diseases and conditions, including bladder and urinary problems and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Learn about the digestive tract by viewing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), colonoscopy, and different levels of sedation and anesthesia. Health scholars will have the opportunity to prepare patients for gastrointestinal procedures, and follow-up treatment in a close-knit, interpersonal environment.

Unique Opportunities: Scholars in this department get an early opportunity to be part of the care team in an Operating Room witnessing multiple procedures including various forms of colonoscopies, cholecystectomy (gall bladder excision), EGDs and many more. They also have had these procedures explained in depth by the professionals performing them. In addition, scholars get to interact with anesthesiologists and pathologists and learn about anesthesia and identifying cancerous cells.

Consider this department if you’re interested in: Gastrointestinal medicine and surgery, Anesthesiology, Pathology, and cutting edge medical technology and techniques.

Department Coordinator: Sevak V.  ahglgilab@copehealthscholars.org