Pre-admission officer

The job of a pre-admission officer

The pre-admission officer is often the patient’s first point of contact with the medical facility, and therefore plays a key role in the image it portrays. Their role is to complete the patient’s file by collecting the essential documents required prior to hospitalisation – often a difficult time for the patient. 

The officer will discuss the patient’s requirements (single room requests, other services, etc.) and respond to any questions the patient may have (next steps, how to find their way around the clinic, etc.). The job thus combines a welcoming (receptionist) role – being in contact with the public – with an administrative function. A growing number of facilities are offering online pre-admission via a virtual assistant. In this case, the officer’s job is to ensure that the patient’s file is complete before they are admitted.

What skills are required?

This position requires a real appetite for contact with the public, coupled with strong listening and pedagogical skills. The administrative function, on the other hand, necessitates rigour and organisation.