Melanie Cosco Email & Phone Number

When promoted into the position of Administrative Assistant at St. Joseph's Healthcare, I knew there would be times where my ability to multi-task, think critically, and allocate resources would come into play. I had no idea that a global pandemic was on the horizon or that I'd be called upon to exercise my leadership ability, problem-solving skills, and education to the highest degree to minimize the impact on the hospital's operations while optimizing patient care.Since graduating from McMaster University in 2017 with a BA in Sociology, I've worked in a hospital setting, thriving on the hectic pace and knowing the work I do has a positive impact on people's health. I am passionate about doing my part to ensure the community where I live is well served and that our patients receive the highest level of care possible.Before the pandemic hit, my team and I recognized the need to ensure our systems were in top shape. By collaborating with every stakeholder, including management, unionized employees, and other administrators, we implemented processes and procedures, anticipating the emergencies we believed would arise.Our initiatives were tested on the evening 30 Covid19 patients arrived at the hospital at the same time. The night is now a blur of fax sending, emails, updating electronic patient charts, answering phones, communicating between units, and pulling staff from every department, all the while documenting everything we did in the process. In the end, every patient received proper care, and the health care team thanked us for our expert handling.To do the job of Administrative Assistant well, attention to detail is paramount because the stakes are so high – literally life or death. Beyond patient care, the work requires a strong understanding of Human Resources management and the ability to interpret and work within a union contract. Most important is the ability to "think your feet" because you never know what will come through the door, and you need to be quick, flexible, and professional.It's with pride to know that the hospital staff relies on me because they trust me to get the job done efficiently, cheerfully, and on time. My teammates describe me as a collaborator, a leader, someone unafraid to take the initiative, and always looking for ways to boost productivity and morale. They tell me I lift their spirits and that they feel safe confiding in me.During downtime, I find innovative ways to improve our overall processes. I enjoy tidying our workspace, decluttering, organizing, and optimizing workflow.📩 melmietus@gmail.com

• 

  Mcmaster University

  Bachelors With Honors