Current job title: Executive
Administrative Assistant
Industry: Higher
Education - Medical School
Department: Group on Academic and
Student Affairs
Years worked in this industry: 19
Years worked in this department: 2
Special training or attributes needed or helpful to
get job in this industry (or specific department): Experience
at this facility, excellent work evaluations, letters of recommendation,
office skills (equipment, written and oral communication, experience)
Number of
managers and/or staff supported: 1.5
Typical work hours: 8:30-5:00, M-F
Weekends or overtime hours: Some
overtime required by extending the day and occasional weekend events. Comp
time.
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.): $40,000+
Benefits (direct or indirect): Yes, my
boss is just the best! Plus medical/dental insurance at group rate,
state retirement (my position, but not all). Parking is a bummer though.
Lingo you might hear in this industry:
Simulation, USMLE, NBME
Simulation: A method of teaching clinical procedures on a “faux”
anatomical part or a “manikin” (like Resusi Annie)
USMLE: United States Medical Licensing Exam
NBME: National Board of Medical Examiners
A typical day on the job: A lot of
computer work keeping my supervisor’s calendar, arranging meetings (e-mail
and phone), attending meetings, taking minutes, transcribing dictation,
interacting with and helping students; arranging projects such as awards
programs, etc.
Positive things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: I can take my skill set to
most any industry. It isn’t overly physically demanding (mentally
sometimes). I meet wonderful people.
Negative things about being an administrative
professional in this industry: Pay is generally low. Sometimes attitudes of the higher ranking are demeaning.
Space is very,
very limited. Many work in cubes or “corridor like areas” which makes it
extremely hard to concentrate and with no control over the lighting (which
give many of us headaches).
Type of workspace/office:
corridor
Primary responsibilities as an administrative
professional in this position: Liaison between many higher
ranking officials of my school, outside VIPs, patients, students and
coworkers, arranging my superior’s calendar and keeping him on schedule,
assisting the students in any way they need, staying up-to-date with the
responsibilities of coworkers so I can step in to assist at any given
moment, as well as the routine office duties.
Top thing(s) incumbent admin would require of job
applicants seeking to be her/his position replacement:
Attitude, willingness, professionalism, skill set
Office machines or equipment operated regularly:
PC, phone, transcriber, digital transcription, calculator, copier, fax,
printers.
Technology (hard) skills used regularly:
A variety of computer programs
Critical soft skills: Good
communication and good organization. I represent this office, and I work
for an extremely busy guy who is a Dean, a Professor, sees patients clinically and teaches, not to mention running
this office.
Pace of this position: Average to fast.
Geographical region: Southeast U.S.
Karen Porter, The Administrative Professional Job Performance and Career Success Coach™