Jamie Harmon has been gracing the halls at Beaufort Memorial for several years now, but these days, she’s finding her groove in a new role as a cardiopulmonary assistant.
Born and raised in Beaufort — she was even born at Beaufort Memorial — Jamie seemed destined to find her way back to Beaufort Memorial when looking for work a few years ago.
“This is home,” Jamie says. “I’ve never left the area. I have a lot of memories here, not only in the hospital but in the entire area. I can’t see myself anywhere else.”
A Twist in the Road
Jamie began working at Beaufort Memorial in February 2019 as a cook. With a background in food service and a naturally personable nature, she enjoyed her work engaging with patients, visitors and employees but had a desire to find a new way to care for people. She also loves learning new things, so when she had the chance in 2022 to take steps toward a clinical role, she seized it.
“I’m never content with the knowledge I have,” Jamie says. “I’m always wanting to expand on it. Whenever I have the opportunity to do that, I run with it.”
That opportunity came in the form of a new program at Beaufort Memorial called PATH, or People Achieving Their Highest, which enables employees to pursue advanced career training in clinical areas. The program also offers scholarships, a childcare stipend if needed and flexible scheduling to help participants balance work, career training and life.
Jamie’s choice of study was cardiopulmonary care. After three months of classroom and hands-on training, in late 2022, she began working as a cardiopulmonary assistant. It’s been a meaningful move.
“I loved cooking for people, and it was a personable experience,” Jamie says. “But now I have a daily role with patients. I felt a calling, and I feel very fulfilled.”
Read More: Who Benefits From Cardiopulmonary Therapy?
Learning and Growing
Even after Jamie became a cardiopulmonary assistant, her education wasn’t over. After initially training to perform EKGs, she then learned how to perform other necessary cardiopulmonary testing, including stress tests and Holter monitors, which are wearable devices that record patients’ heart activity.
These days, she finds herself settling into a routine, working three days on and four days off, with some on-call shifts. On a typical day, Jamie conducts routine testing and helps patients with immediate needs, such as those in the ER who may be experiencing chest pain or stroke symptoms.
No matter who she’s caring for, Jamie tries to make a positive impact.
“When [patients are] in the hospital, [they] don’t want to be there,” Jamie says. “They’re down in the dumps, so I try to make every patient smile at least once. I do my best to be personable, crack a joke, get them to talk about themselves.”
Along with caring for and interacting with patients in a tough position, Jamie continues to learn all she can about heart health. For her, it’s a personal thing.
“My dad had a heart attack two years ago, and mom’s got a history of AFib,” Jamie says. “I’m always trying to educate myself and those in my family about what to watch for when it comes to heart health.”
Jamie says she treasures the many lessons she’s learned so far — opportunities only made possible by the people at Beaufort Memorial.
“The best part has got to be the people,” Jamie says. “Everyone is friendly and helpful, just like a family to me. Working on the clinical side of things, if anything, I love Beaufort Memorial even more than I did before.”
Looking to find your own path forward? Beaufort Memorial is hiring! View our current openings.