Recognizing Administrative Professionals in an LTACH on April 27, 2016

Administrative Professionals’ Day is set for April 27, 2016. Originally called Secretaries’ Day, this work holiday was created in 1952 by Harry F. Klemfuss of Young and Rubicam. Its purpose was to recognize the importance of these positions and demonstrate their value to organizations. The name change recognizes the significant evolution in the role since 1952.

Professionals in the Healthcare Arena

Administrative professionals are found in all aspects of healthcare, especially in the Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH). A great deal is required of these individuals, and in many cases, they are the glue that keeps a department together. What does it take to be an outstanding administrative professional in a fast-paced clinical setting? Qualifications include:

• Ability to multitask and manage several projects at once
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Great communication and listening skills
• Team-player mentality
• Possession of computer skills
• Great comprehension with numbers, facts and figures
• Detailed-oriented

In comparison to other industries, additional responsibilities are expected of administrative professionals in a healthcare setting. For example, individuals must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, which ensures Protected Health Information (PHI) is not disclosed to any parties for reasons other than treatment, payment or operation. Discretion and patient privacy are mandatory in this setting.

Administrative Professionals in an LTACH

Receptionists are the most visible of all the administrative roles. They are the voice and the face of the organization. Projecting a smile over the phone, they exude warmth when greeting all visitors. Receptionists must correctly direct phone traffic as well as physical traffic within the facility. Perhaps their most important skill is expressing empathy to concerned family members.

Unit secretaries have a great deal of responsibility. First and foremost, they must be pleasant and approachable to all patients, families and fellow co-workers, as they are the unit ambassadors. Examples of their many duties:

 

• Answer the phones and direct calls
• Perform all the unit filing
• Maintain the medical charts
• Keep patient care schedules
• Maintain adequate supplies
• Prepare charts for new patients
• Close charts upon patient discharge
• Manage billing and invoicing
• Collect discharge instructions
• Ordering medical equipment
• Make patient doctor appointments
• Maintain patient privacy

An executive assistant in this fast paced healthcare setting is almost like serving as a chief-of-staff. This person assists the administrator by maintaining a tight and efficient schedule. He or she is the “gatekeeper,” making sure only scheduled appointments are granted. Executive assistants resolve many problems for supervisors and facilitate communication. This professional drives the efficiency in the executive office. People in these powerful positions should never be overlooked or disregarded. Without them, the smooth flow of the office operation would grind to a halt.

On April 27^th, join us in celebrating the hardworking administrative professionals nationwide!

Joining the Specialty Hospital of Central Jersey Team

At Specialty Hospital of Central Jersey, care is delivered with a team approach achieving patient goals over a longer course of time. If you are interested in joining our team in an administrative role, learn more about the careers at Specialty Hospital of Central Jersey, by clicking the button below.