Week 9: Introduction to Wellness Offices
Welcome to Week 9! The first half of our course has been focused on the dental industry.
This week starts the second half of the course, which is focused on wellness offices. Over the next several weeks we will explore wellness concepts while also learning about industry related software used to complete administrative tasks.
Wellness
Consider the following:
How do you define wellness? What images, words, or experiences come to mind? If you recall from ADMN1030, the definition of health and wellness has evolved over time. In addition, each person may have their own perspective and experiences that influence the concept of wellness. Write down your own definition of wellness and consider this definition from the Global Wellness Institute (2020).
Wellness is the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.
With this description in mind, wellness offices employ healthcare providers who help support clients in achieving health in one or more dimensions of wellness.
Key Components of a Wellness Office
The healthcare industry operates similarly to businesses. A good or service is provided and a transaction will take place (either in the form of OHIP, private, or out-of-pocket payment). Wellness offices will set organizational policies, procedures, and key principles when establishing their business.
- Philosophy: “an explanation of the systems of beliefs that determine how a mission or purpose will be achieved”
- Mission/Purpose: “link the providers’ or organization’s activities to the needs of society to legitimize its existence”
- Practice: the approach to treatment
(Current Nursing, n.d.)
Wellness Providers
Test your knowledge!
Wellness Administrators
As a wellness office administrator, your responsibilities may vary depending on the size of office, how many health care providers you are supporting, and the specific types of providers. It is important that you remember your scope of practice. You will never be tasked with providing direct client care. Stop and consider: have I be educated or trained to do these tasks?
Some common wellness office administrative responsibilities include:
- Fielding phone calls, checking voicemails, and responding to emails
- Scheduling appointments
- Processing payments (OHIP in some cases, private insurance, and out-of-pocket)
- Filing or uploading documents to the EMR system
- Light cleaning and sanitizing
- Laundry
- Room preparations
- Social media management
- Marketing and communications
- Inventory management
- Payroll
Employment
Where to begin looking for wellness office positions?
There are several websites to explore when looking for a wellness office administrator position. Remember to customize your geographic location and utilize several different key words when searching.
In addition, looking at the job boards/career pages of specific organizations or clinics is another great place to start.
References
Current Nursing. (n.d.). Mission, vision, value, objectives and philosophy of an organization. Nursing Management. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.currentnursing.com/nursing_management/mission_vision_values_of_organizations.html#MISSION%20STATEMENTS
Global Wellness Institute. (2020). What is wellness? https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/
