We Are One Team When It Comes to Staffing Against COVID-19

Thank you for all the work you are doing to care for our patients with COVID-19, to support one another and to prepare for the anticipated increase in number of patients who will require our care over the next several weeks.

As shared in previous all-staff emails, leadership has been preparing for the surge of COVID-19 patients expected in the coming weeks. Our intent is to protect everyone’s safety, support each other, and care for our patients and community in this unprecedented crisis. Because it will take all of us working together in new ways to be successful in a major surge, we want to make sure that you understand and are prepared for possible new roles and responsibilities.

Everyone has a role in centralized staffing
We rolled out the structure of centralized staffing with all managers and are ready for implementation. By now, most of you should have had a conversation with your manager laying out the key components and how you might be asked to work outside your regular team. It’s critical that everyone is ready to jump in and help where most needed and most appropriate. There will be times when you will be tapped to move in quickly to meet a growing need. You will be provided “just in time” training for any new role as well as ongoing support.

Working from home is unlikely for many in a surge
Even if you have been told by your manager that working remotely was an option, new roles and responsibilities under the centralized staffing model may require that you work at one of our medical facilities. The UW announcement last week stating that teleworking is mandatory for employees does not apply to UW Medicine employees who are or may be called to work to address the growing COVID-19 health crisis.

This is an unprecedented time with unique challenges every day. We have been humbled by the work everyone in the UW Medicine system is doing. We are all learning as we go and we will continue to do so. This community inspires us and we are incredibly grateful for all you are doing to support our patients and each other.