Neurorehabilitation admission coordinator

Julia Ranns
Admission Co-ordinator, joined the Trust in 2007

What is your role?

I am the Admission Co-ordinator and Nursing Administrator at the Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Centre, which is part of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and my main responsibilities are to provide administrative support by arranging referrals, assessment appointments, admissions and discharges.

What does a typical working day look like?

I start my day by checking with the nurses how the night shift went and deal with any problems that need my attention. I then check the diary for appointments and arrange them accordingly.

Referrals are received by me and I check them for any missing information. I also arrange assessment appointments for the patients. Keeping up to date with all patients that have been assessed, inpatients and discharges, admissions and waiting lists are a very important part of my role.

We work closely with the Neurosciences Departments of St George’s Hospital so I communicate with staff there, and at other Trusts, about patients that need to be admitted. We have 32 inpatient beds which I have to keep a close tally of.

Last but not least I meet and greet new patients to the Wolfson, I answer their questions and try to reassure them if they have any concerns.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Meeting the new patients and helping them through their time with us.

What level of patient contact do you have in your role?

I communicate with most of the patients from referral through to admission and there after on a daily basis right through to discharge.

What other members of the healthcare team do you work with?

All therapists, nurses, doctors, consultants, social workers and administrators; that’s most of the staff here that I will have some contact with throughout the day.

What do you like about working for the Trust?

I like the contact I have with the patients and, even though I can’t help them clinically, I am still able to help them by answering their questions and heading them in the right direction.

Why did you join the NHS?

I wanted to do some voluntary work once my children had grown, so I volunteered at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the Health Information Centre. From there, I was able to apply for a job at the Wolfson. That was two years ago and since coming to the Wolfson as a Ward Clerk I have now been promoted to my current role.