The Little Things – “The Woman with Many Hats”

Featuring Amanda Rice

Amanda Hansen was in high school when she worked at Essex Meadows as a waitress from 2001-2003. It was during this time that she met residents Libby Smith and Dottie Shook (her favorites). After graduating from high school, Amanda went to college full-time and stepped down from her waitressing role.

Fast forward to April of 2007 and Amanda was back! She started working again in the Food & Beverage as a waitress and shortly thereafter was promoted to a hostess. In this role, she honed her customer service skills and caught the attention of the then-current Administrator Kathleen Dess. There was an opening in the Health Center for a receptionist and Kathleen knew exactly who would be perfect for the job. Amanda interviewed, got the job, and trained under Karen McLean who was at the time working in the Health Center as a receptionist. It was during this time that Amanda reconnected with Libby Smith and Dottie Shook who were now residing in the Health Center.
After two years as a Health Center receptionist, another job opportunity at Essex Meadows arose when Ann Conway, the Medical Records Coordinator, retired. Amanda is still in this role today. One might think “Medical Records Coordinator – what does that mean?” Well, it includes a variety of responsibilities – organizing all aspects of the resident medical record including electronic and paper, corresponding with the Medical Director and assisting with her many responsibilities, scanning documents, handling the nurse’s schedule, payroll management for all Health Center employees, back up coverage for the Unit Coordinator, and finally helping with all things IT (information technology) in the Health Center.

That’s quite a bit of responsibility for a “Medical Records Coordinator.” Amanda is the utmost professional and manages to handle all the above tasks throughout her day. Amanda was asked what she likes most about working at Essex Meadows; she responded, “My team of co-workers around me and the flexibility in my schedule that allows me to spend time with the kids one day a week, and get work done from home when needed.”

Amanda is married to Evan, and they live in Ivoryton (one street away from her childhood home) with their daughter Bella (6) and son Cooper (4). In their free time, the family likes to spend time at the beach, local parks and museums, Mystic Aquarium, and skiing in Vermont.