A Desk Job Like No Other: Hospital Administrators

In order for medical professionals to be able to do their jobs as effectively and efficiently as possible, the hospital depends on a large group of administrators to facilitate the complex and often chaotic atmosphere of the hospital. You may want to run right into an emergency room and jump right onto the examination table, but you wouldn't want other patients doing this when it is finally your turn. Hospitals need organization, and there are many exciting careers to be had in this field.

Hospital Switchboard

Great hospitals function best when they run on smooth and quick communication. Messages are constantly relayed from internal departments, emergency calls, EMS services, and various other operators. Responsibilities include knowing how to prioritize calls, pages and messages, dealing with patients over the phone, and managing the operational patchwork of the hospital's internal phone system. This job is kind of like a telephone operator in a high-paced action movie, but in this case, lives might really be on the line.

Patient Registration

Another position taught as part of a medical office assistant program is patient registration. This employee will deal more face-to- face with people and thus not only needs to have excellent patience inside, but to maintain a cool and sympathetic demeanor on the outside as well. Tasks in this position include taking patient details, scheduling appointments, writing the doctor's scheduled visit list, and regulating patient visits from family and friends. This person is often the face of the hospital.

Morgue Attendant

This may sound like a very morbid job, but that does not mean that it is unsuitable for someone motivated to work in the healthcare industry. Nonetheless, it is an important role and requires a serious and organized individual. The morgue attendant should also be sympathetic, as they will sometimes have to deal with bereaved friends and families.

Hospital Cashier

Many people have worked as cashiers in part-time jobs, which they got with little or no experience. Working in such a capacity in a hospital is not all that different, except that it requires medical office assistant training. This person works with numbers just as much as with people. Their duties may include taking payments, administering the paperwork for medical insurance plans, handling remittances for patient accounts, and helping with any other administrative billing accounts.

Desk work does not have to be boring, and more importantly, it can be an important contribution to an industry as vital as the healthcare industry. The hospital as a place of employment isn't for everyone, but if you are up to the challenges involved, it can be wonderfully gratifying.