Organisation: South Western Sydney Local Health District
Job Title: Clinical Support Officer
Location: Bankstown
Holds or is willing to undertake a Certificate III in Health Administration or equivalent
Currently enrolled in a Medical Terminology/Clinical Coding course at TAFE, in order to complement my extensive administration experience, it is an exciting prospect and great opportunity for me to be able to undertake a Certificate III in Health Administration. The education I have acquired in the Medical Terminology/Clinical Coding course has assisted me in my current position as a Clinical Support Officer (CSO). It has provided me with valuable knowledge in the health environment and administration, and to back this up with a qualification for a Certificate III in Health Administration would be a mutually beneficial experience.
Undertaking a part-time Advanced Diploma of Accounting with Charles Sturt University, further demonstrates my ability and willingness to undertake a Certificate III in Health Administration.
Charles Sturt University accepted credit towards my diploma for prior experience and as I possess over 12 years of continuing educational and practical experience.
Excellent communication skills including accurate spelling, good comprehension, confidence in the spoken word and ability to deal confidently and courteously with people at all levels
In my professional life, I demonstrate excellent use of interpersonal skills through my ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and management, approaching each interaction using my superior communication, social and engagement skills. I display empathy and consideration and enjoy building a rapport with all stakeholders. By working in a positive manner I maintain regular communication channels and ensure that I actively listen to my colleagues and participate in information sharing to achieve organisational objectives.
Possessing highly developed communication skills, both verbal and written, are demonstrated through my years of diverse employment positions with a focus on administration and health. I am a naturally confident and courteous person, and have interacted with people from a range of cultures, ages, genders and working levels and styles. During my employment with Total Concept Interiors, I was personally responsible for implementing the twelve steps to conflict resolution system. Some examples of these strategies include Mapping the Conflict, Implementing the Win/Win Approach, Managing Emotions and displaying empathy and assertiveness. These techniques have proven invaluable in my Clinical Support Officer role at Liverpool Hospital.
My role as Supervisor of Administration at All Concrete entailed preparing high level correspondence on behalf of the Managing Director and I would routinely attend meetings with and on behalf of him. English is my first language and I have excellent comprehension and accurate spelling capabilities. Entering data onto the computer systems at the hospital in a precise and understandable manner proves my excellent abilities in this type of communication, in addition to my aptitudes to write complex business documents and produce Excel spreadsheets when required. Supporting the work activities and services that the nurses, midwives, medical staff and allied health staff deliver in the two wards for which I am administratively responsible provides great work satisfaction for me and underpins my ability to deal confidently and courteously with people at all levels.
Throughout my career I have demonstrated a proven record of cultivating relationships and removing obstacles to build trust and enhance productivity, achieving improved communication with internal and external stakeholders. With a strong people focus, I have always made a conscious effort to build good relationships with the people around me, regardless of background, culture or ethnicity.
Demonstrated experience in word processing, spreadsheet and database software
My first introduction to computing was in my school years and I gained a working knowledge of computers which I have applied throughout my career. The employment positions I have performed have always been in computerised environments and I have been able to quickly learn the new programmes and systems those organisations operated. My studies are conducted online and are therefore purely computer-based and I am adept utilising various programs and systems.
As Clinical Support Officer on Wards 4C Palliative and 4F Respiratory at Liverpool Hospital has introduced me to many different systems such as Kronos, SWSLHD EMR PAS, Health Share including Manager Self Service, iProcurement, and more recently to Synaptix. I have become proficient in these systems and use them on a daily basis for entering rosters, ordering and claiming. The data I enter includes the ward rosters on the hospital computer system, and regularly updating the rosters in line with any changes like leave and illness. The ordering I conduct via the hospital’s database software ensures that the two wards I am responsible for are adequately stocked with medical supplies and equipment. I have also assisted other wards in the hospital to order their necessary supplies and equipment.
Applying my highly developed and competent skills in the Microsoft Office suite of products such as Word, Excel and Outlook, I effectively and efficiently produce reports, documents, emails, spreadsheets with formulas and formatting, and general correspondence. I have used these products routinely over the course of many years, and testing of my typing speed indicated 65 wpm. Additionally, I have utilised MYOB, NetSuite and, after successfully completing a course, Xero Accounting, in conjunction with a Clerical Keyboarding course at Liverpool TAFE. The accounting background I hold contributes towards ensuring that the hospital wards recover funds wherever possible and I educate staff on the importance of being budget conscious. Creating spreadsheets outlining the services and costs is a tool I utilise consistently to assist in the hospital’s resource management. The CSO position I work in requires me to use computers extensively to produce and complete my work functions.
Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines
The strong organisational skills I implement ensure that I routinely consult with the Nursing Unit Managers (NUMs) to request updates on their requirements and expectations. Working across two wards, it is essential to stay focused on firstly completing identified priorities and to exercise good judgement with competing requests from a variety of other sources. I am an avid diary and calendar user and I create a priority list first thing upon arrival at work each day. Upon completion of every task I tick those items off my list. Accomplishing more complex tasks as early in the day as possible when my concentration is at its highest is a routine I have established in executing my duties as a CSO, whilst still taking into consideration the other competing demands my position entails.
In the six months leading up to the introduction of EQUIP which was conducted at Liverpool Hospital in March 2016, I worked with the Nursing Unit Managers on both wards to create and implement a schedule that took the Performance Management Review completion rate from under 10% on my arrival to 100%. The benchmark for the Performance Management Review completion rate was only 80%. This involved preparing the documents, scheduling the meetings between the employees and the NUMs and recording the completion of the review both electronically and manually. Another component of my duties is retaining a record of sick leave, rostered days off (RDOs) and annual leave as well as checking and recording The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registrations. Ward 4F is a specialist respiratory ward with a high volume of internal requisitions. Working diligently, I created a price list in order to streamline the claiming process. Assisting the health care team in obtaining information and reports in relation to patient care, supporting and participating in the administrative aspects of activities such as numerical profiling, quality accreditation processes and incident management, and maintaining a staff credentialing register as well as monitoring nurses and midwives registrations and enrolments form an important part of my responsibilities.
In my present role, I effectively manage high volumes of work with accuracy and efficiency through the application of my strong organisational skills. I create and maintain systems and processes for the orderly and organised management of workloads. The studies I have undertaken and still continue express my exceptional organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines as I am tasked with completing study units and submitting assignments by strict and specific dates.
Capacity to work under broad supervision and to undertake a diverse range of tasks as an effective member of a team in a high pressure, high volume work environment
The working experience I have gained as a CSO at Liverpool Hospital has necessitated that I become an effective member of the team in a high pressure and high volume work environment. Willing to accept challenging tasks and being flexible by prioritising duties and reorganising work are circumstances in which I thrive.
Preparing the rosters is an important duty I undertake in conjunction with the Nursing Unit Manager. The staff complete a roster form to advise their availability and the roster is prepared by the NUM and myself. Preparing the rosters I must take into consideration the skill mix, with the minimum standards and procedures that are specifically required for the wards and the hospital’s policies and procedures. When back filling the shifts and staff members have RDOs, leave and/or sick leave, the skill mix must be correct to include registered nurses, assistant nurses and under-graduates amongst others.
Throughout my career I have worked as a team member in large and small organisations and understand the importance of teamwork. My role and the role of others to ensure that successful outcomes are reached is constantly on my mind. Effectively establishing rapport with clients, managers and co-workers and fostering beneficial relationships is an integral part of a working environment, particularly in high pressure, high volume work environment. I have received guidance from the other team members in relation to many tasks that are required to be executed in the different positions I have been employed. Learning the numerous tasks and duties required in a short length of time from the team at Liverpool Hospital has enriched my work experience. My colleagues and I work well together and assist each other when necessary to tackle all of our duties.
There is a changing environment at the hospital as various tasks are allocated between team members and I have adapted quickly to incorporate these changes to my daily tasks.
Also, I have taken the initiative at previous companies to provide informal training to newcomers, even though I was not asked to do so. It is imperative to work together as a team and share essential information as we have the highest responsibility in managing individuals with various challenging needs. Working closely with various healthcare professionals and colleagues, regular information is delivered between one another due to the ever changing needs of the of the hospital. As a staff member who works effectively within a team environment, I consistently ensure that I am providing others with the information and resources that they require to be able to perform their roles. It is important to me to contribute to team outcomes and assist others with their workload when time permits. During my employment I have performed additional duties, outside of my normal scope of responsibility, in order to assist my colleagues and ensure that all work was completed in a timely manner and in accordance with the company’s policies.
