Jackie Guzman wanted to enhance her radiologic-technologist skills to better serve her patients at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH).

The result is a new certification credential along with her title of Registered Radiologic Technologist.

“Although I had been performing CT scans at PVCH for more than two years, I wanted to further my education and expand my knowledge,” Guzman said. “This certification helps me apply new information to real-life scenarios, allowing for more efficiency.”

CT scans can help physicians diagnose various types of cancers, blood clots in the lungs, strokes, blood-vessel abnormalities and fractures.

“These are just some of the diseases and conditions that can be detected with a CT scan,” Guzman noted.

As part of her certification requirements, Guzman performed at least 125 procedures that had to be approved by a certified technologist.

“In addition, I completed coursework in physics, procedures, anatomy, pathology, safety and patient care,” she noted. “Next, I passed the national computed tomography exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.”

Guzman’s earlier education included an associate’s degree in Radiologic Technology and a bachelor’s in Medical Diagnostic Imaging at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in 2022.

Her clinical rotation was performed in a FHSU x-ray program at Garden City where she worked as a student Radiologic Technologist.

“I came to PVCH immediately after graduating from FHSU,” she recalled. “I had met the Director of PVCH Imaging at a Fort Hays State career fair. Since that meeting, I knew where I wanted to work. PVCH is home to a professional, caring staff that serves patients and families in Pawnee and surrounding counties.”

Julie Robben, PVCH Director of Imaging, noted that many CT technologists are not certified “but it is something that we, as a team, feel is important to our community. Jackie’s certification illustrates her dedication to PVCH and her patients.

“Her willingness to go the extra mile, dedication to growing as a technologist and bilingual skills are great assets to our team,” Robben added. “Equally important, her kindness and gentleness demonstrate her compassion for patients. We are blessed to have Jackie as part of our team.”

Robben mentioned that the Imaging staff always looks for ways to improve skills, whether it be with certifications, continuing education or equipment updates.

“Imaging technology and procedures constantly change,” she noted. “It is important for our team to stay current with these changes at our Pat Young Imaging Center to provide the community with the quality care they deserve.”

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) is excited to announce the implementation of an innovative service aimed at simplifying the patient experience and enhancing efficiency. Patients will now be able to enjoy the experience of a streamlined online payment system for their medical bills.

PVCH is rolling out new billing statements designed with patients in mind. These updated statements will make it easier for patients to understand their bills, track their payments, and manage their expenses online. The new billing system, launching in August 2024, focuses on user-friendliness and efficiency, ensuring that patients can handle their medical payments more smoothly and with greater clarity.

Another exciting feature is the launch of a Live Chat option, designed to provide patients with quick and efficient online support. The Live Chat feature, available during standard business hours of 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. CT, allows patients to get their billing and invoice questions answered in real-time by our knowledgeable team, ensuring they receive the information they need without the wait.

To enhance the convenience and timeliness of managing your statements, you will now receive a text message notification before your statement is dispatched via mail. This proactive notification system is designed to give you the flexibility to review and pay your bills directly from your mobile device as soon as the statement is ready.

Please ensure that your mobile phone number is up-to-date in our records to benefit from this service. If you prefer not to receive these text message alerts, you have the option to opt out at any time. Opting out will not affect the delivery of your paper statements and other important communications from PVCH.

Commitment to Patient Care and Satisfaction

“At PVCH, our priority has always been to provide high-quality services  and the best experience possible for all our patients,” said Melanie Urban, PVCH Administrator. “With the introduction of these new statements, we are taking significant steps to enhance our operational efficiency and, more importantly, our patient satisfaction.”

PVCH invites all patients to utilize these new features and benefit from their enhanced convenience and efficiency. For more information on the new billing features, please visit our website at pawneevalleyhospital.com/payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Changing?

Starting in August 2024, our statements will feature a refreshed, modern design to enhance your experience and simplify payment management.

New Live Chat option, offering patients real-time, efficient online billing and invoice support from our knowledgeable team.

You will now receive a text message notification before your statement is mailed to you. This allows you the option to pay directly from your mobile device.

Why the Change?

We’ve redesigned our statements with your convenience in mind, aiming to make them easier to read and quicker to understand. This update also includes better organization of information and a cleaner layout, enabling you to find important details like payment terms and due dates at a glance.

What’s Not Changing?

While the look is new, please rest assured that this change is purely aesthetic. The process for making payments remains the same, and all your current agreements and terms continue as they are.

How to Recognize the New Statements:

Our Pawnee Valley Community Hospital logo remains prominently displayed.

The color scheme aligns with our Pawnee Valley Community Hospital brand’s colors, though refreshed for clarity.

Security Note:

These statements are sent directly from our secure system. However, please remain vigilant against phishing attempts. Always verify the sender’s address, and feel free to contact us directly through our official channels if anything looks unusual.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions about the new statement format or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team at 620-285-8650. We’re here to help!

Megan Mawhirter has been involved in health-information management locally for more than a decade and now her reach extends to the state level.

Mawhirter is Director of Health Information Management & Admissions at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH). She was recently elected to a director position at the Kansas Health Information Management Association (KHIMA).

“Every healthcare encounter involves health information,” Mawhirter said. “There are so many pieces involved.

“Health information entails everything from the moment you check-in to the final invoice being sent,” she explained. “It encompasses the record of why a patient is here. There are so many moving parts to a patient visit.

“This is why a hospital or other healthcare facility needs to have someone trained to oversee the process. We must ensure we comply with all state and federal regulations.”

Mawhirter also works with PVCH Admissions to ensure all records are up-to-date. Other responsibilities include auditing records, and collaborating with attorneys, insurance companies and patients.

“The billing office and our health-information-management staff work together to assure accurate assignment of billing codes,” she noted.

KHIMA members are nurses, medical coders, billers, privacy officers and data specialists – anyone involved in the medical field.

“Members include so many different people, with so many skills and specialties,” said Mawhirter, who joined KHIMA in 2008 as a student. “The knowledge I have gained as part of this organization is incredible and my new contacts around the state are instrumental in expanding my knowledge base.”

Mawhirter advises the board of directors, while serving as chair of the KHIMA Audit Subcommittee and liaison to the Information Integrity Committee.

“I plan to share the knowledge I gain with the staff at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and other facilities,” Mawhirter commented. “The more information I have the better we can serve our patients and staff.

“Also, I encourage students and professionals to join this great statewide organization.”