Patient Encounter Specialist

[MickintheHam]

That's the new job title for the receptionist at my doctor's office. I found the term encounter to be surprising as I associate it with hostile or abrupt. I guess there was something politically sensitive about the word receptionist. sheesh!

[kingcat]

A new major available at UNC maybe?

[badrose]

That's the new job title for the receptionist at my doctor's office. I found the term encounter to be surprising as I associate it with hostile or abrupt. I guess there was something politically sensitive about the word receptionist. sheesh!

That's how I associate the term as well. My guess is that "receptionist" associates with the female gender and someone felt the need to accommodate either a feminist or a guy. An encounter indeed!

We truly are the United States of the Offended

[Darrell KSR]

I like the name. Why does an encounter have to be negative? I think it connotes more of a personal experience, and more attention than a mere "receptionist."

"Client Encounter Specialist." I sort of like the ring to that for my office. Hmm.

[badrose]

I like the name. Why does an encounter have to be negative? I think it connotes more of a personal experience, and more attention than a mere "receptionist."

"Client Encounter Specialist." I sort of like the ring to that for my office. Hmm.

It doesn't have to be negative but IMO reception has more warmth. To put on even terms, which connotes more positively, Client Reception Specialist or, Client Encounter Specialist? To me, by contrast the latter sounds like someone with the task of fielding customer complaints.

[Darrell KSR]

It doesn't have to be negative but IMO reception has more warmth. To put on even terms, which connotes more positively, Client Reception Specialist or, Client Encounter Specialist? To me, the latter sounds like someone with the task of fielding customer complaints.

Yeah, I see your point. It does have more warmth.

I guess encounter to me connotes more than just "receiving" them--more of the entire experience. Sort of a "we'll take care of you from A to Z" kinda thing, versus just greeting you.

[kingcat]

https://bigstickcombat.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/murbysbouncer.jpg

Nightclub Encounter Specialist

[badrose]

Yeah, I see your point. It does have more warmth.

I guess encounter to me connotes more than just "receiving" them--more of the entire experience. Sort of a "we'll take care of you from A to Z" kinda thing, versus just greeting you.

I can see that as in, I encountered a guy on the bus who had me laughing all the way to my stop. In Mick's case, I see someone who says, Here's a cup, go urinate in it, place it in the designated window, and be seated until it's your turn.

[Darrell KSR]

You encountered Taylor Swift? How was it? Was she nice? Did she look as good in person as she does on TV?

See, I think of encounters like that. :)

From a doctor's office, "Let me help you get signed in. Next you'll be taken care of by Nurse Swift. When you return, you can check with me if you need a doctor's excuse to get back to work or school. Any other questions, let me know or call later."

Pipe dream, I'm sure.

[badrose]

I would say, I met Taylor Swift etc....or, ran into.

[Darrell KSR]

I suspect a lot of people would, but I don't find "met" appropriate, unless you were introduced to her, and actually, you know, "met" her. And ran into her? Well, you wish!

But I'm also wondering if there's a difference in whether it's used as a verb or a noun.

As a verb--you encountered (bad weather. Resistance. Hostility. All kind of bad things?) How many times do you encounter (good weather. Sunny skies. Friendly waitresses?) Maybe not as much? I probably have more pleasant encounters than negative ones!

As a noun--You had an unexpected encounter with Taylor Swift. She was speaking to a group in Vanderbilt Children's Hospital while you were visiting your daughter (that happened to me). I didn't meet her, but I encountered her.

I guess it just depends on the person and their perspective. But I acknowledge many may equate encounter negatively.

[MickintheHam]

From Merriam-Webster:

"Definition of encounter
encountered; encounteringplay \in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ, en-\
transitive verb
1
a : to meet as an adversary or enemy
b : to engage in conflict with
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly encounter difficulties"

To me that does not describe anyone doing anything other than claims resolution or a conflict.

[Darrell KSR]

From Merriam-Webster:

"Definition of encounter
1
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
To me that does not describe anyone doing anything other than claims resolution or a conflict.

I view it way differently than that, consistent with the quoted portion. You come face to face with many people. Doesn't have to be a conflict.

[Darrell KSR]

By the way...I must be the outlier here. I'm not trying to convince anyone. Just I read it way differently than you two guys do.

Or else you guys are just crotchety, and I'm pleasant. But my wife would dispute that.

[MickintheHam]

I can't deny being old, a point reinforced by my doctor this am. I did however pass the Alzheimer's teat

[Darrell KSR]

Maybe I'm just trying extra hard to be pleasant since I feel old and broken down. My shoulders are giving me heck trying to sleep. I'm not a good sleeper anyway, so having 1 or 2 torn rotator cuffs ain't helping.

[kingcat]

Are the girls at the drive thru's calling you guys hun and sweetheart?
I mean with your wife along?

[Darrell KSR]

I can't tell. I usually have my hearing aid turned down.

[Catfan73]

Count me as one who never attached a negative connotation to the word encounter. To me it just means a chance meeting.

The last time I was in a hospital waiting room there were several employees there that "took care" of the family members waiting on someone in surgery--what time it started, various stages of progress and recovery, etc. I would have no problem with thinking of them as "Encounter Specialists".

[CitizenBBN]

It makes me think of George Carlin and his point that as we move forward we keep diluting the language.

In WWI it was called "shell shock". simple, to the point, even sounded like what it was. in WWII it was a little longer, softer, less clear, it was "battle fatigue". By Vietnam it was "post traumatic stress disorder".

So now instead of "receptionist" we have "Patient Encounter Specialist".

I'm with Carlin. "Receptionist" seems easier and pretty straightforward.

[kingcat]

I think its akin to the janitor revolution of the seventies when they marched on Adeka Corp industrial cleaning mfg. in Hackensack demanding to be called custodians.

Supposedly inspiring Bowie's lyrics in "Changes"

http://houstoncommunistparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/DSC01019-300x225.jpg

https://zombiesruineverything.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/old-hippie.jpg
"Look out, you rock 'n' rollers"

[BigBluePappy]

https://bigstickcombat.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/murbysbouncer.jpg

Nightclub Encounter Specialist

Lordamighty. How'd did he get those Mason Jar Lids in his ears anyhow?:confused0053:

[BigBluePappy]

I can't deny being old, a point reinforced by my doctor this am. I did however pass the Alzheimer's teat

That proves it, you are getting older...