What our Employees say about working here!

 

An interview with Martie Malakar about her experiences working at Traditional Home Health Care as she transitioned from field work to an office position..

 

1. Can you tell us about your journey as an LPN before joining the office team at Traditional?
Prior to joining the office team, I worked in home care for about five years. I cared for pediatric patients, school-aged children, and adults. I truly enjoyed the work and felt that I was making a real difference in people’s lives. Despite Traditional’s flexible scheduling, I needed to change positions due to personal obligations. I was lucky to find an open position at the Drinker St. office.

2. What made you decide to move from the field to an office position?
The decision was based on necessity. I had personal obligations and needed a position closer to home with more consistent hours to support my family responsibilities.

3. How did your experience in the field prepare you for your office role?
Honestly, I can’t say that it directly prepared me for the office role, as the two environments are very different.

Experience in the New Role
4. What does a typical day in your current position look like?
Every day is different, even though I’m at a desk. I interact with physicians and patients, process referrals, handle insurance requirements, and manage other office responsibilities.

5. What’s the biggest difference between working in the field and working in the office?
The office role has less variety and can sometimes feel less fun. The days also tend to feel longer compared to fieldwork.

6. What skills from your nursing background have been most useful in the office?
My background has helped me with processing orders, understanding HIPAA compliance laws, applying critical thinking, working under pressure, managing time effectively, and staying focused in a fast-paced environment.

Personal & Professional Growth
7. How has this transition helped you grow professionally?
I’ve gained valuable knowledge about insurance processes, learned how workflows operate from the office side, and strengthened my communication skills. I’ve also been exposed to new lab results, diagnoses, and medical conditions on a daily basis.

8. What have you learned in the office role that surprised you?
I was surprised by how complex insurance regulations can be, as well as the variety of new diagnoses and diseases I encounter.

9. How has your work-life balance changed since moving to the office?
My work-life balance has improved immensely..

Impact & Culture
10. How does Traditional support its employees who want to explore different career paths within the company?
Traditional has been fully supportive every step of the way. I’ve been able to grow from home health nurse to lab/triage nurse and now to an intake nurse. I’m also hoping to return to home health visits in the future, and I feel confident that the company will support me in that transition.

11. What do you enjoy most about the team and culture here?
I appreciate the genuine support, the caring atmosphere, and the culture of inclusion within the team.

12. How do you feel your current role impacts the care patients receive?
I like to think that I help patients remain at home rather than in a facility. By being thorough during the intake process, I can help ensure that patients receive the best possible care tailored to their needs.

Advice to Others
13. What advice would you give to other LPNs considering a switch from the field to the office?
It’s not for everyone—be sure to weigh the pros and cons. Although there is much more structure and routine in the office, every day is still different. There are new challenges and things to learn each day.

14. Looking back, what would you tell yourself on your first day in the office?
“You already know how to do the work; now you just need to learn how things work here.”

15. How has this move reaffirmed your choice to stay in healthcare?
Yes. There are always new opportunities