Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

It's their Job: Bill Rice

Name: Bill Rice

Job: Cardiac Rehab Director at Roosevelt General Hospital

Time on the job: Five years, on board since before the hospital opened.

Background: Started working as an orderly in 1978, has been a nurse since 1984.

Q. Describe what your job entails?

A. “My job is an interesting job. I get people to come in who have had heart attacks, open heart surgery, and other related problems and teach them about their heart: The three E’s: Exercise, Education, Encouragement. People that have had bypass surgery, heart attacks, chest pain, valve repair and heart/lung transplant qualify for our program. I like to include family if possible.”

Q. What is a typical day on the job like for you?

A. “I have a set schedule, Monday through Friday, and I have patients scheduled throughout the day. Some days we talk, other days they exercise on the machines. I see people in various levels of need.”

Q. Why did you choose this profession?

A. “I’ve been doing this since I was 16. It pretty much chose me. This particular area doing cardiac rehab I get to teach. I love to teach, I get to relate to people. Mostly I do it just because I love it.”

Q. What type of training do you need for your job?

A. “You have to have a very extensive knowledge of the heart, a good working relationship with the doctors, and work well with people, and have good instincts.”

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?

A. “Getting to know each patient individually and their families. Some of my best friends are former patients. The very best thing is seeing them achieve their goals. It’s nice to see them accomplish something they didn’t think they could.”