HR professionals in the healthcare industry help onboard new employees, ensure that people adhere to policies and guidelines within their organization, and serve as a resource for all employees.
March 16th marks the beginning of National Healthcare HR Week, and to celebrate the dedication and hard work of HR professionals across Saber’s affiliated communities, we interviewed Amanda McBride from Sage Bluff Health & Rehab Center and Jennifer Coleman from Autumn Care of Fayetteville. We learned about their backgrounds and how their unique experiences shaped their perspective as HR professionals in the healthcare industry.
Tell us about yourself.
McBride loves gardening and spending time with her family during her free time.
“I am learning to garden, and I love it! I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, four boys and one girl. I also really enjoy traveling.”
In Coleman’s spare time, she loves creating diamond art and spending time with her family and friends.
“I have a daughter studying psychology in college and twin boys: one in the Space Force, and the other working for the NSA. I love spending time with family and friends, doing diamond art, and playing the clarinet in my church orchestra.”
Pictured are Amanda McBride (left) and Jennfier Coleman (right)
Tell us about your career background.
“Before coming to Autumn Care of Fayetteville, I had medical records and business office experience,” said Coleman. “I started at Autumn Care of Fayetteville in 2012 and was hired in Human Resources in 2018.”
“I began my role in HR/Payroll with Sage Bluff in 2023,” said McBride. “The Saber Community & Support office provides great training to help you succeed. I learned so much, and I never want to stop learning.”
What qualifications do you need to earn to work in HR?
“It is important to have communication, active listening, and critical thinking skills,” said McBride. “Integrity, accountability, empathy, and creating healthy boundaries are essential as well.”
“Another important qualification is computer skills,” Coleman told us. “You need to have knowledge in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If you have those skills, you can adapt to any kind of management platform.”
What made you decide to work in healthcare HR?
McBride and Coleman said that they started their careers in healthcare, and they feel it is where they belong.
“I was a CNA for over 20 years and a Qualified Medication Aide, QMA, for over 10 years,” said McBride. “I was blessed with the opportunity to work in HR, and I love being in this role.
“My first job was as a receptionist at a nursing home, and I have been working in healthcare ever since,” said Coleman. As a receptionist, I learned how to handle medical records and did that for seven years. Years later, I joined Autumn Care of Fayetteville in the HR department and have absolutely loved it.”
Give us your day to day as an HR Professional.
“I start my day by walking to the different nurses’ stations, saying hi, and touching base with them before I go back to my office,” said Coleman. “Once I am back in my office, I log onto Dayforce and help the administrator with reports. I help wherever I am needed.”
“I always have work planned out for the day,” said McBride. “I work with the other department managers to make sure we are always in compliance. This includes reviewing timesheets and missed punches, and ensuring our new nurses have all of their boxes checked during the onboarding process.”
What soft skills does an HR professional need?
Coleman and McBride agreed that communication is one of the most important soft skills to have.
“You have to be able to communicate to know what is going on in each department,” McBride said. “You also need to know when to be firm, neutral, and diplomatic when you communicate with staff.”
“Someone in HR needs teamwork skills to work with other department managers and have empathy when employees are sharing their stories with you,” said Coleman. “To add to that, it is important to have respect for yourself and others and have emotional awareness when you are having conversations with employees.”
What do you think is the future of HR?
“The future of HR is building each other up,” said McBride. “It is important for people in HR to build their staff up and have them leave your conversations believing in themselves.”
“I think AI is going to be a big part of the future,” said Coleman. “It could help with processing and making the paperwork side of the job faster. However, I believe that we still need one-on-one human interaction with staff to take care of their needs and improve morale.”
Give us one positive memory since you’ve joined your facility.
Coleman and McBride both loved the summer cookouts at their facility.
“The administrator hosted a pig roast for the residents and staff,” said Coleman. “We would play music and eat delicious food while in great company.”
“I love our annual backyard summer bash,” said McBride. “We have barbecue food, games, facepainting, and music. I love how the residents, staff, and their families come together for it every year!”
