It is a common misconception that training administrators are residency program secretaries. Although there may have been a time in GME history when that was the case, the profession has evolved over the years and those of us who have accepted the challenging role have grown to meet the new demands. The Program Coordinator - always measuring outcomes, actively engaged in ensuring all of the rules are followed, every necessary box is check, and each resident successfully leaps the myriad regulatory hurdles - is the administrative head of the leadership team.
So why doesn’t it feel that way? Why can’t others see it? Do we even see it?
Learn at ACGME
Furthering training administrator professional development has taken a front row seat with the ACGME, which is now providing online workshops on the Learn at ACGME platform. The site offers a variety of workshops, many of which are tailored to our uniquely niche profession. The workshops are a hybrid of both recorded and live virtual sessions, combined with a very active guided comments sections that provides enrolled participants with an opportunity to engage, exchange ideas, give advice, and offer encouragement.
A recent workshop called “Self-Empowerment Workshop for Coordinators” introduced a class of new and seasoned administrators to a set of skills and strategies for truly embracing and reflecting one’s leadership role in the workplace. The workshop learning objectives covered various topics exploring methods for improving leadership skills, navigating professional challenges, and leveraging networking opportunities for professional success.
Networking 101
One of the strongest take-aways from this workshop was the importance of networking. Networking is more than just showing up at the AEC event and giving polite responses to polite questions over a glass of wine. Successful networking requires the key skill of talking about yourself and your accomplishments. After all, a great training administrator can sometimes be something of an invisible maestro. When things are going well, nobody pays much attention. The administrator is the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps things running and compliant. How does one say that in a professional setting?
Charge up your social battery, because we’re going in. Here are some tips:
Connect. Be approachable and open to talking to people. Show an interest in others before launching into an elevator pitch about your own successes and goals.
Listen. Make eye contact, smile, and practice active listening with the person or people you are talking to. This is shared experience. Be sure to share the spotlight.
Prepare. Do a little research about the other attendees. A bit of knowledge can do a lot to help ease social jitters. Engaging in some pre-event homework will give you an opportunity to form questions and discussion topics that may result in more meaningful and memorable engagements with the people with whom you choose to connect.
Highlight your accomplishments. The answer to the question, “How is work?” should never be “Fine.” This is your opportunity to introduce your latest accomplishments and other professional updates to the conversation. Keep it brief. Think newsletter not memoir.
Follow-up. If contact information is exchanged, be sure to follow up. It’s important not to let too much time pass before you reach out to your new colleague to follow up on that great conversation you had. Remind the person who you are and suggest collaboration, or a time and place for further discussion.
Lastly, be confident. Claim your spotlight. Training administrators are so vital to the success of a program that the ACGME mandates our presence. Never forget that.
Ramona Tirado, MLS, C-TAGME
Senior Residency Program Coordinator
Mount Sinai Hospital
2023-2026 Member ACGME Coordinator Advisory Group
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