Whether you work in a hospital, a clinic or other healthcare setting, life as a patient service specialist isn’t easy. In addition to your technical duties, your face-to-face interactions with frustrated patients can add extra complications to your day. Do you struggle to stay organized? If so, here are a few tips to help you juggle your duties as a patient care specialist.
· Pay attention
In medicine, accurate record keeping is essential. Whether you’re dealing with a patient, a doctor or another medical professional, accurate note-taking is often your responsibility. Make sure you clear your mind before every interaction, as a single missed detail could cause major roadblocks later.
· Keep a list
At the beginning of every day, make a list of your expected duties. In many settings, you can use the doctor’s appointment schedule as a starting point. Remember, however, the plan can change drastically throughout the day, so you’ll need to be ready for adjustments.
· Learn to delegate
Even if you don’t have anyone working directly under you, there is often a significant overlap between your duties and other members of the healthcare team. Learning to collaborate – and identifying tasks you can safely pass off to others – can ease your load while improving your patient’s experience.
· Keep a thick skin
Interacting with angry patients can be frustrating, and doctors and nurses aren’t always known for being the cuddliest work mates, either. Even so, you can’t let yourself focus on negative comments and experiences. If you keep your mind centered on your tasks and positive moments, you’ll stay organized throughout the day.
· Computers are your friend
Brushing up on your facility’s electronic medical records (EMR) system will help you maintain a steady workflow all day long. When you’ve got a few spare minutes at work, why not explore and practice some of your EMR’s hidden features. In addition, if your facility allows you to use a phone or tablet at work, there are many productivity apps that will help you organize your tasks.
· Improve your skills with training and certification
Not all patient services positions require certification, but that doesn’t mean you should rule it out. Attaining certification is a shortcut to better jobs, better performance and calmer nerves. If there are any patient service specialist programs near you, looking into them could dramatically improve your job satisfaction.
Your future as a patient service specialist
Patient care specialists, along with other types of medical assistants, are members of one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation. At Expert Staffing, we specialize in helping healthcare professionals like you reach their full potential. Whether you’re looking for part-time, full-time or temporary work, our recruiters can help you find the most promising jobs throughout New England. Contact us today to learn more about your options.
