Do You ‘Understand the Assignment’?

Case Management Focus

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -- "I understand the assignment." You have probably heard this phrase from people who are supporting Kamala Harris in her run for President of the United States. It has been in many of my social media groups recently.  

As I thought about what it meant, I realized how these words relate to nurse case managers who work in the workers' compensation arena. In this post, I am going to list some of the things you can show that you “understand the assignment.”  

The phrase "I understand the assignment" is often used by someone indicating their intentions to go above and beyond of what is expected of them.  

Some examples of going above and beyond in your role as a nurse case manager include:  

• Taking on additional tasks or responsibilities that are not part of your usual job description 

• Volunteering for an extra assignment 

• Joining your professional organization and become an active member 

• Staying late to complete a project or task 

• Taking the time to talk to an injured worker and their family to ensure they understand the diagnosis and treatment plan even though you explained it several time 

• Returning emails or text messages and phone calls in a prompt manner 

• Researching information to better understand the patient's overall condition 

• Working with the adjustor to have a treatment or procedure approved that was previously denied 

• Working with your team and helping to lessen the burden for those who need help 

• Speaking up when no one else does for your team 

• Making sure you and your colleagues have the tools and resources to do their job 

• Documenting your activities so others can follow your plan of care  

• Mentoring others 

• Helping a colleague in need without being asked 

By going above and beyond, you not only enhance the workplace environment and team dynamics but also significantly boost the motivation of all members of the treatment team to be the best that they can be.   

What examples do you have that show that YOU understand the assignment? Let me know via email at allewellyn48@gmail.com  

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