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Home to the nation’s Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philadelphia attracts many top healthcare professionals and nurses. Philadelphia magazine named 264 Temple Health physicians as “top doctors” at Philadelphia hospitals. So it’s no wonder many healthcare professionals want to work at Temple University Hospital (TUH). Explore this employer spotlight to learn what it’s like to work at this academic health facility and if this hospital calls to you.
Overview of Temple University Hospital
Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, is the primary clinical training site for the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and has served the community for over 130 years. Founded in 1892 as Samaritan Hospital by Temple University’s Dr. Russell Conwell, this healthcare system has greatly impacted the community over the years. Initially, Temple Health provided free care to those who were unable to afford it. In 1940, it opened the nation’s first child psychiatry clinic, and by 1974, it became the world’s first university-based sports medicine center.
Temple University Hospital is part of Temple University Health System (AKA Temple Health), which provides patient care at three additional Philadelphia hospitals and a cancer center. Temple Health provides cancer care treatment at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and comprehensive services at:
- TUH – Jeanes Campus on Central Avenue
- TUH – Episcopal Campus on Lehigh Avenue
- TUH – Northeastern Campus on Allegheny Avenue
- Temple Health – Chestnut Hill Hospital on Germantown Avenue
It also has many outpatient facilities, multispecialty centers and urgent care clinics throughout the Philadelphia area.
Starting from a small 20-bed hospital with one doctor and nurse, Temple University Hospital has grown to 979 beds and employs over 1,500 doctors. As a teaching hospital, TUH partners with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, where students come to learn the latest in research and technology. Temple University Hospital has 21 residency and 18 fellowship programs. Temple Health employs over 10,000 faculty members and employees and offers 44 academic residency training programs.
Mission and Principles
According to Temple University Hospital’s website, its initial mission was to “provide free care for those unable to afford payment, regardless of race, nationality or creed.” While continuing to uphold this goal today, its mission is a little different. As noted on its website, it strives to “provide access to the highest quality of healthcare in both the community and academic settings.”
Temple Health aims to make a positive impact on its communities through commitment, determination and dedication. As part of its strategic plan, its priorities are educational value, thought leadership, reputational excellence, boundless access and community engagement.
Temple Health lives its core values of “respect, service and quality.” And according to its website, “Although it uses the latest technology and treatments, its staff use one remedy that can never be replaced or improved: person-to-person caring.”
Awards, Honors and Accreditations
Noted for providing excellent quality and safety, Temple University Hospital has earned numerous recognitions and awards. Newsweek recognized the hospital with a four-ribbon status in its ranking of best maternity hospitals in America for 2023. It ranked as the No. 15 best regional hospital in Pennsylvania and No. 9 in Philadelphia in 2022-2023, per U.S. News & World Report.
TUH earned its first Magnet recognition in 2019 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes hospitals that value nursing talent where nursing leaders align goals to improve patient outcomes through nursing excellence, continuous education and practice standards. Temple University Hospital is reapplying for this designation in 2023 since it’s only valid for four years.
In 1984, Temple University Hospital performed Philadelphia’s first heart transplant. By 1994, it was the nation’s No. 1 center for adult heart transplants for the second year in a row. In 2012, TUH became the first hospital in the world to use cryotherapy to treat patients with esophageal disease.
Some additional certifications, accreditations, honors and awards the hospital has earned include:
- Hospital Accreditation and Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission
- First place in the 2022 Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania Donate Life Hospital Challenge for increasing awareness of organ donation
- Leapfrog designated Temple University Hospital as a Top Teaching Hospital for outstanding quality and safety in 2021
- 2019 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus and Target Stroke Elite Plus Quality Awards
- 2015 Rising Star Award from the University HealthSystem Consortium for significant improvements in their annual rankings
The 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade Report gave Temple University Hospital a Safety Grade “A” for its 6th consecutive year. Temple Health was one of only 42 healthcare systems selected in the United States in 2023 to participate in the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s Health Systems Implementation Initiative. This initiative aims to expedite the uptake of evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes and quality care.
Top Specialties at Temple University Hospital
Temple University Hospital has an extensive network of medical, surgical and emergency services. The 2022-23 U.S. News & World Report ranked its Neurology & Neurosurgery and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery specialties as high performing. Furthermore, it ranked high performing in the following procedures or conditions:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Colon Cancer Surgery
- Diabetes
- Heart Attack
- Heart Failure
- Kidney Failure
- Pneumonia
- Prostate Cancer Surgery
- Stroke
TUH offers a wide array of specialties, ranging from organ transplants to maternity care, attracting nurses and other healthcare professionals from numerous fields. A few specialties the hospital excels at include:
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- Burn Center: Verified by the American College of Surgeons and the American Burn Association, it’s one of the region’s only burn centers at a Level 1 trauma center, treating hundreds of burn patients yearly in its 10-bed unit.
- Cancer Care: The Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital is designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. It’s one of only 51 to achieve this designation.
- Cardiovascular Care: TUH offers several clinical research programs and cutting-edge cardiac technologies. The most highly respected cardiovascular surgeons in the region perform hundreds of cardiac procedures at Temple annually.
- Obstetrics and Maternity Care: It’s a designated Baby-Friendly birth facility with a Level III Infant Intensive Care Nursery, the highest level achievable in infant intensive care and staffed 24/7 by board-certified neonatologists.
- Transplant Care: Pioneers of organ transplants, TUH has performed over 2,500 since its inception in 1984 when it performed the first heart transplant in Philadelphia. Its medical staff dedicates itself to providing the highest quality transplant care, consistently meeting or exceeding the national survival rates.
Other specialties TUH offers include endocrinology, nephrology, thoracic surgery, psychiatry and many others intended to better serve the community.
Working at Temple University Hospital
Temple University Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in the Philadelphia area, offering numerous employment opportunities. Temple Health provides comprehensive and competitive benefits, including three medical insurance plan options, and continuously seeks to demonstrate its commitment to its employees.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Temple Health strives for a diverse workforce and makes equality part of its mission. This healthcare system supports an unbiased setting, committing to a compassionate and respectful environment. In 2022, Temple University Hospital earned an evaluation of 100 and designation as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader for the fourth consecutive year from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index.
Benefits and Other Perks
Temple Health offers comprehensive benefits and values its employees. Some of its benefits and other perks include:
- Three medical plan options and one dental plan
- Vision insurance, providing free eye exams for employees, their spouses and dependents
- Short-term and long-term disability with coverage at 60% of base salary
- Group-term life insurance is free to the employee
- Voluntary group term life insurance up to five times the annual base salary
- Healthcare flexible spending accounts for up to $2,650 annually in pre-tax contributions
- Dependent flexible spending accounts for full-time employees up to $5,000 annually
- Employee Assistance Program through Carebridge
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment that’s available the first day of the month after enrollment
Nursing Programs at Temple Health
Temple Health is committed to its nurses, providing additional perks above the standard employee benefits, including:
- Daisy Award Program
- Competitive Pay
- Employee recognition awards
- Comprehensive orientation program
- Awards and reimbursement opportunities
The health system gives its nurses the opportunity to work in a progressive environment, seeking excellence, compassion and innovation. It’s committed to professional growth and recognized as a Magnet facility for nursing excellence. Some of the nursing programs Temple Health offers include the following.
New Graduate Nurse Residency Program
New graduate nurses need time to transition to nursing practice, so Temple Health offers many nursing residency program options. Popular options include specializing in cancer care at the Fox Chase Cancer Center or in the operating room at one of Temple Health’s hospitals.
Professional Development Opportunities
Temple Health understands nurses want to pursue professional development opportunities, so it offers a Clinical Ladder Program. This program allows nurses to earn monetary incentives for showing their commitment to the nursing practice. They also offer tuition reimbursement through Temple University.
Partnership with Temple University Nursing Program
Through its partnership with Temple University, Temple University Hospital offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, where nurses can build a strong foundation in their profession. This program spans eight semesters or four years and requires 125 credit hours for completion. They also offer educational advancement opportunities to current nurses seeking to advance their practice.
Travel Nursing at Temple Health University
Philadelphia hospitals may hire travel nurses to cover increased nursing demands or staffing shortages. Since there’s plenty to explore in Philadelphia, you’ll never get bored. Take a walking tour through the city’s historical sites and discover the delicious array of foods, including the famous Philly cheesesteak.
In addition to many travel nursing jobs in Philadelphia, the city also has a high demand for staff nursing jobs, making salaries competitive. As of late June 2023, travel nursing salaries averaged $2,319 per week and staff nursing salaries averaged $37.33 per hour. If you want to see how this salary compares to other locations throughout the U.S., use Vivian’s salary tool to explore salary transparency.
Getting to Work
As part of Temple’s Health Science Campus, you can easily commute to work at TUH via car or public transportation. Public transportation options, including bus, train and subway, are available with stops near the hospital. The Philadelphia Airport provides a convenient way for travel nurses to fly into town, and subway tickets cost as low as $2 to get you to and from the airport.
On-Campus and Nearby Amenities
Temple University Hospital has many on-campus amenities, including restaurants and coffee shops. If you’re prone to getting turned around with directions, download the Temple Now app to help guide you with a campus map. Outside the main campus, you can walk to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine or nearby Hunting Park.
Contact Information
Temple University Hospital
3401 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(800) 836-7536
If you’re ready to discover new nursing or allied health job opportunities in Philadelphia, Vivian Health has you covered. Search our job board to find the latest opportunities in your specialty today.
