Searching for a new employee can be one of the most frustrating parts of managing an organization. It can be a long process – one that has a significant impact on the success and efficiency of your clinic.
Central Intake, a method that helps you manage patients seeking services, makes your clinic run smoother. It helps your patients feel that they are being listened to and cared about; however, the success of this model depends on the capability of your intake worker.
An central intake worker is generally responsible for answering the phones and assessing the immediate needs of the patient. They must handle emergencies, calm patients, and manage a waiting room. To find a capable worker, you need an appropriate job posting to make sure that you are attracting qualified candidates.
Learn more about the ideal process for an intake call here.
Craft a Job Posting That Will Stand Out
A job posting is typically posted on job boards or on your website. It should include the mission of your organization, the job responsibilities, and the desired qualifications of the new hire.
Here are a few tips to consider when writing a job posting:
Make your job posting easy to read. Use short paragraphs and lists. You want the applicants to be able to easily find what they’re looking for.
- Edit your job posting for typos. It is a turnoff from your clinic if your job posting includes typos. Have several people read over the job posting and consult online style guides.
- Use clear language. Make your job posting easy to read by using simplistic language. Making sure the job is well described is more important than using big words.
- Include information about your company. The applicant needs to know about your clinic in addition to what they’ll be doing. Include information about your mission or your values/culture.
What the Ideal Job Posting for an Intake Worker Should Look Like
YOUR CLINIC is looking for an Intake Coordinator. We are in ANYTOWN, USA and are dedicated to helping our patients achieve success.
Responsibilities:
- Effectively manage our waiting room to promote a safe and secure environment for our clients.
- Determine the appropriate course of action for each client.
- Calm patients who are distressed when they arrive or call.
- Complete client admission paperwork.
- Schedule and screen clients.
- Assist with billing.
Ideal Qualifications:
- Strong interpersonal communication skills that allow you to engage with and listen to clients.
- Ability to learn new information quickly (clinic programs, processes, terms)
- Excellent organization skills and ability to keep track of multiple clients and their documents.
- Crisis management experience.
- Experience in/understanding of mental health and substance abuse.
- Knowledge of billing processes
Other Considerations for Your Job Posting
An applicant with a master’s degree or license in social work will have a greater knowledge of the field, but a higher salary requirement. An applicant with a high school education and office experience will have a lower salary requirement, but will need more training. It is at the discretion of your clinic which option you pursue.
Some clinics prefer their intake worker to be fluent in the dominant language of their clients or have preexisting software knowledge.
The desired education level and any language or software requirements should also be included in the list of qualifications.
If your organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer, be sure to include that at the end of your job posting. You can refer to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website for more information.
Use the above sample job posting as a guide to creating your own job posting. You can add or remove information to suit your needs. It is also helpful to read job postings from organizations like yours for ideas. Though crafting the perfect job posting takes time, it will be instrumental in helping you find your ideal intake worker.
