Patient Relations Specialist

YOUR ROLE :

In your pivotal and rewarding role as Patient Relations Specialist, you will work closely w/the Administrative Assistant who fields complaints from unhappy patients. You will evaluate the complaints, proceed to do a deeper dive into the matter, and will then forward to appropriate Medical Center leadership who will attempt service recovery.

Department/Unit Summary

Vanderbilt Guest Services assists with the flow of information between visitors and the Medical Center. We strive to create a welcoming, comfortable and pleasant environment for our visitors. Uniformed Guest Service Representatives are located at various information desks and waiting areas throughout the Medical Center to provide information, directions, or assist with any need you might have while visiting. For more information, please visit https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/guestservices/ .

Position Shift:

Standard day-time hours; Monday-Friday

View how Vanderbilt Health employees celebrate the difference they make every day:

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity -- of culture, thinking, learning and leading -- is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VUMC Recent Accomplishments

Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:

* US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children's Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.

* Healthcare's Most Wired: Among the nation's 100 "most-wired" hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.

* Becker's Hospital Review: named as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America", in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.

* The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children's hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.

* American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows

* Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.

* National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement

* Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6 ^th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives and documents complaints and compliments.
• Engages relevant clinical or management staff to evaluate and respond.
• Facilitates timely response in an appropriate manner.
• Makes recommendations to improve processes or service opportunities.
• Contributes to the organization by actively participating in process improvement initiatives and shared decision making.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:
DOCUMENTATION & WRITING SKILLS - (NOVICE): - Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate documentation and writing skills in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.

CUSTOMER CONFLICT MANAGEMENT - (NOVICE): - Shows flexibility and open-mindedness when priorities and goals change or when faced with conflicting points of view. Initiates actions and demonstrates leadership that address problems and different points of view. Escalates conflicts that cannot be resolved to a higher level. Accepts opposing views constructively and contributes to a positive work climate.

LISTENING (NOVICE): - Demonstrates the fundamental techniques of listening, including paying complete attention, avoiding interrupting speakers, seeking clarification when necessary, and acknowledging that the message has been received, if appropriate. Is sensitive to speakers and understands the need to interpret nonverbal signs, such as body language, and inflection. Makes an effort to fully clarify information. Avoids emotional responses and reactions.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.
• Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

CORE CAPABILITIES:

SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES:

• Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance and gain knowledge in new areas.
• Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
• Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences.

DELIVERING EXCELLENT SERVICES:

• Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.
• Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
• Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness.

ENSURING HIGH QUALITY:

• Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
• Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them.
• Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring.

MANAGING RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY:

• Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.
• Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.
• Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities.

FOSTERING INNOVATION:

• Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.
• Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.
• Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.