Current job title: Administrative
Assistant
Industry: Hospital
Department: Cardiac Diagnostic
Laboratory
Years worked in this industry: 25
Years worked in this department: 15
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): I
originally started working here as a unit secretary on one of the nursing
divisions. At that time the hospital offered a unit secretary training
class. This class was two weeks (daily) in length and covered the basics in
processing physician orders, medical terminology, the inside scoop of who
is who (i.e. transporters, blood drawers, pharmacy, nurses, physicians) to
be able to perform the job. I left the unit secretary job and moved into a
secretary position in [another department] area within the hospital. I am
presently working in that same department as an administrative assistant. I
feel my training working on the nursing divisions enhanced my ability to
perform my job more effective as a secretary.
I feel a person from the outside would be able to perform either position
with a challenge if they were to apply. Most of the clerical positions are
filled internally. The community colleges in our state offer a certificate
program as a unit secretary should a person wish to enter the medical
field at the ground and work their way up to a professional administrative
position.
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 3
Typical work hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.
Weekends or overtime hours: No
weekends. I am paid for overtime but seldom work it.
General salary range
(Note: This is a general figure or range provided by survey respondent and may
NOT be an exact salary in order to
give survey respondent some privacy. Also you must take into account that
the number of years worked in industry/department may contribute to this
salary as well as criteria such as level of position and person reports
to, required hours and geographical location.): approx. $9/hour
- $18.81/hour
Benefits (direct or indirect):
Indirectly, (1) one of the best benefits about working around nurses and
physicians is the ability to ask them basic medical questions. You also
know who is the best (physician) to send family members to. (2) Working in
a hospital allows you to work up to the time of a doctors visit and use
your lunch hour to see a physician. (3) Because of patient meals the
employees also have a large variety of lunch items to choose from rather
than the basic sandwich. Directly, our health insurance, vacation, tuition
reimbursement are comparable to other businesses.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
1. Hospitals use military time (24 hour clock) instead of 12 hour clock.
2. These are commonly found on prescription bottles:
QID = 4 times a day
TID = 3 times a day
BID = twice a day
qd = daily
3. Emergency Room does not mean emergency care. Unless you are
having a heart attack visit your local clinic to receive faster care. Most
clinics are staffed with the same equipment used in emergency rooms.
A typical day on the job: Since our
goal is to automate everything, almost everything I do on a daily basis
entails the use of my computer, from ordering supplies to setting up
meetings.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Since I work for one of the
top 10 hospitals in the nation, our pay scale is equal in our area.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I feel the major negative to
working in a hospital setting is the fact that administrative
professionals are not supported due to the shortage of nurses. Unless I
work as an executive assistant it is difficult to receive educational
support. The main focus in this hospital is nursing jobs.
Type of workspace/office:
office (boss has an office which connects and leaves his door open)
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position:
(1) I support the employees in my department with all aspects of their
job.
(2) I am the main clerical person for all typing, billing, supplies,
travel, payroll.
(3) I am a liaison between management and employees.
(4) I am the chief when management is on vacation or off.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Proficient in Microsoft Office, extreme organizational skills, excellent
memory, medical terminology
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
Scanner, facsimile, dictation machine, various computer equipment specific
to our department only, copier, and believe it or not hand tools (i.e.
screwdrivers, hammers, WD40) . I am the person who fixes everything around
here.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, GroupWise 7.0 (e-mail), ProSolv
,CardioReport & Clinical Desktop for patient report viewing and billing,
Internet, Lotus123, Control D for revenue reports and payroll, Record Now
for copying patient studies, GHX for supplies, recording minutes for
meeting and processing.
Critical soft skills: Extreme
organization is very critical due to working for and with everyone in my
department. I handle everything for our employees and therefore organization
is critical. Negotiating and communication skills are necessary for
dealing with internal departments responsible for making sure our
department operates at peak efficiency (i.e. Supply Room, Pharmacy,
Clinical Engineering).
Pace of this position: Fast
(sometimes average on Fridays)
Geographical region: Midwest, U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™