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The Vermont State Employees' Wellness Program is a voluntary wellness screening program offered by the Department of Human Resources' Workforce Development and Wellness Division. Permanent state employees are eligible. State retirees are offered a similar screening. All individual health information is held in strictest confidence. Employee clinical screenings are held at worksites statewide, and are conducted by program staff RN’s.
During the 45 minute clinic appointment, program nurses obtain blood pressure readings, do a comprehensive health consultation, and provide follow-up recommendations and referrals. Blood tests are conducted for Total and HDL (good) cholesterol, and non-fasting blood glucose. In 2003, the Wellness Program adopted a new software-based risk appraisal system. The system identifies high risk areas, and assesses each individual’s 10-year risk of heart attack. The assessment is based on the individual’s current health status compared with program data from the ongoing Framingham Heart Study. Test results, plus a complete screening profile, are given to the individual at the end of the clinic appointment. The profile may then be passed on to the individual’s primary care physician for follow-up. The nurses interpret the clinical results for employees and help them target specific lifestyle changes.
In addition to the clinical testing, the individual clinic appointments cover a broad spectrum of wellness issues. They are designed to help employees identify and change personal lifestyle behaviors and risk factors including: smoking, stress, diet, exercise, alcohol/drug abuse, workplace safety conditions, and medical or genetic factors which may endanger their health. Once risk factors are identified, the program nurse provides individualized health counseling, and specific resources and referrals to assist employees in obtaining treatment, and developing and maintaining positive lifestyle changes. Health care consumer awareness is taught, and the program nurse may refer employees to other areas of state government where their needs can be met, including: EAP, Worker's Comp, Loss Prevention, VTOSHA, Employee Benefits, Buildings, Management/ Supervisor, Employee Relations, the Learning Center, and Safety and/or Personnel officers. For the benefit of participants, the Wellness Program maintains a consumer health library of videos, books and pamphlets covering all critical health care topics including depression, weight management, nutrition, and stress management.
The nurses act as wellness mentors; their knowledge is based on scientific research and recommendations, but their practice with program participants is more an art than a science. They create a safe, caring environment to help each individual reach his or her personal wellness goal.
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