Job Responsibilities
As an Admissions Coordinator with Kindred, my responsibilities
include following:
60% of my time is spent with prospective patients and families.
During this time, I explain:
1. The available services
a. regular and skilled nursing care
b. activities and schedule
c. rehabilitation care
2. The different menu selections and specialties such as:
a. regular unrestricted meal selections and times
b. specialty diet options (soft, pureed, low sodium,diabetic,
etc.)
3. The associated costs and coverage options:
a. Self pay
b. Medicaid requirements and filing
c. Medicare requirements and filing
d. Accepted Insurance Companies, requirements and filing
The remaining 40% is divided between getting signatures from
patients admitted emergency on required concent forms and
covering the phones.
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Job Requirements
The medical field can be a lucrative one depending on what skils
you posess and the knowledge you have obtained. To become an
admissions coordinator you need the following:
a. High School Diploma
b. Previous experience within the medical field is desirable
c. Above avarage customer service and problem solving skills
d. The ability to self manage
e. Computer knowledge is helpful, but not always required
f. Previous management experience
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Uppers
The most rewarding part about this position is the ability to help people feel
comfortable during what might otherwise be an extreemly difficult time in their
life. Another plus is the general attitude of the co-workers. In my experience
I have found that individuals who have taken a position within the medical field
have a desire to help others and therefore, a good attitude.
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Downers
The downside of this position is that you inevitably lose
patients that you have become close to. In that regard this
position can be very difficult. Another downside is that you may
find yourself putting in more time than you might otherwise in a
different position or field. Remember there is always a need for
medical care and therefore, they never close.
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Lifestyle
As I mentioned previously, the work environment is both rewarding and
emotionally challenging depending on the particular situation. Most often your
co-workers will be pleasent and more willing to go the extra mile. The dress
requirement is business professional remember you are selling a service and in
turn each person that you meet with is in effect buying you. The hours vary
depending on the shift, however, admissions is usually a day time position. If
you are looking to get in to the medical field it is important to highlight any
previous experience with the public as this position has a large amount of time
focused within that regard. It is equally important to have a well organized
resume. The medical field is very fast paced and that being the case, the
smallest detail can make a great impact. Being organized comes across in your
resume and shows the employer that you will be an efficient choice.
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Compensation
As mentioned earlier, depending on your level of knowledge and
experience the medical field can prove to be a lucrative one. I
would recommend using a position in admissions as a stepping
stone to other areas within the medical field. Depending on the
facility and particulars of this position, compensation can range
between $10.00 per hour to start and $18.00 on the upper level.
Most rehab hospitals do not offer any type of a bonus or stock
options, however, the benefits package more thatn makes up for
what may lack elsewhere.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The advice that I would give to an individual who is considering
a position within admissions the following advice:
Expect to work harder that you are originally told, but also
expect to feel rewarded more than you imagine.
Realize that what you may lose in salary you will gain in job
security.
Try not to get attached to the patients, but accept that you will
anyway!
I feel that as long as medical science continues to advance
people will live longer and longer. Keeping that in mind, people
will always need some sort of care later in life and therefore,
the need for this position will continue to increase.
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