At Houston Methodist, the Sr Administrative Assistant position is responsible for applying expertise to perform a variety of non-clinical administrative support tasks including scheduling, coordination, and follow-up tasks for meetings, events, and professional travel; managing of calendars; preparing documents and presentation materials; processing invoices and reimbursements; composing and/or transcribing correspondence/documents; supporting department projects/activities; creating and maintaining databases, spreadsheets, answering telephones and providing related follow-through. This position demonstrates proficient use of computer hardware and software, telecommunication, and other office equipment and ability to navigate multiple systems simultaneously. The Sr Administrative Assistant position is accountable for ensuring accuracy and completeness through attention to detail. This position supports an individual/department or multiple individuals/departments.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Greets customers and responds to general and specific inquiries that require advanced department knowledge and critical thinking skills. Answers and triages customer calls and questions.

• Identifies and anticipates potential customer problems, communicates concerns to appropriate management; addresses issues as instructed, responding professionally at all times, and reports resolutions.

• Role models' healthy work relationships such as mitigation of conflict, leading problem-solving and resolution efforts. Serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff. Recommends initiatives to improve department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages and prioritizes multiple assignments simultaneously and effectively, e.g. acting as a department liaison between internal and external customers. Ensures that requests are handled in a swift manner to avoid interruption of services (such as patient flow or department/external communication).

• Independently maintains department schedule by coordinating calendars for department personnel, as appropriate, keeping them informed of schedule changes prior to meeting or appointment, arranging meetings, conferences, teleconferences and travel with minimal direction.

• Maintains and updates, when appropriate, department organizational chart, scope of service, department forms, department intranet website and/or policy and procedures. Records meeting discussions by attending meetings and recording key discussions and conclusions.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reads, researches and routes correspondence. Drafts letters and documents; collects and analyzes information and initiates telecommunications for management/department, as appropriate. Independently collects information and coordinates preparation of reports, maintaining accountability for quality, completeness and accuracy of documents, protecting the integrity and privacy of information.

• Identifies and assesses issues and opportunities for improvement and implements changes following managerial review. Follows up on action items to ensure completion of assignments.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently orders and stocks supplies using sound judgement and fiscal responsibility. Ensures inventories of major supplies are never depleted in area and monitors office equipment, calling for service when needed. Reconciles monthly ordering documents. Accurately prepares appropriate requisitions and obtains signatures and approvals for the purchase requests and orders, contract renewals, or any internal/external services.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime. Utilizes time efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education. Completes and updates My Development plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

• Supports department-based and organization goals which contribute to the success of the organization; offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and activities.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Bachelor's degree or additional four years of experience (in addition to the minimum experience requirements listed below) in lieu of degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year experience in administrative support role

• Experience with coordination of travel and expense management

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Possesses high-level skills in organization, customer service, professionalism, interpersonal relations, written and oral communication

• Proficient application of English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure

• Ability to prioritize, frequently and quickly shift tasks, and adapt to a rapidly changing environment

• Exhibits initiative, proficiency, and adaptability to optimize the time of those supported

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; a commitment to quality and excellence in service; confidentiality; and professionalism

• Demonstrates effective and appropriate decision-making, judgment, and confidentiality as well as attention to detail and follow-through

• Demonstrates ability to work alone and with a team

• Demonstrates proficient use of computer hardware and software, telecommunication, and other office equipment with the ability to navigate multiple systems simultaneously

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025, will be Houston Methodist's ninth hospital and will incorporate the most advanced technology available from the day the doors open. With 100 beds (at our opening; licensed for 276) and a prime location in the heart of the rapidly growing U.S. 290 corridor, the hospital will be equipped with technologically advanced innovations implemented during COVID, many of them designed to make patient communication with physicians, staff and families the very best and most effective in any health care facility. Even though the hospital won't be fully operational until 2025, we have several services and specialties opening in 2024.