Shineka, MHRM, IPI’s Scheduling Manager
If you have been a patient, a patient’s family member, or an employee of Independence Plus, Inc. (IPI) in the past decade, you may already know Shineka. Although she spent her first 10 years at IPI working within payroll and benefits, for the last few years she’s also been assisting with our after-hours on-call scheduling. In May, she was promoted to Scheduling Manager, a challenging role that has her at the helm of a department that works 24/7 to ensure that the needs of our nurses and patients are met. Chris Evans, IPI’s Patient Accounts and Recruiting Manager, said Shineka is a team player who helps out wherever needed. “In the 8 years I have been here, Shineka has been there for me every step of the way and is known throughout the company as a proven problem solver,” he said. Celeste Clarke, her direct supervisor since the beginning, describes her as “a straight shooter” who “is always up to a challenge… and always believes in operating as a team.” We sat down with Shineka recently to find out her favorite thing about her new role, what makes IPI different from other home care agencies, and what she has learned from our patients and their families.
Q: How long have you worked for IPI?
A: In March 2017 it will be 11 years.
Q: What does a day on the job look like for you and your team?
A: Consistently busy. My team is the best in getting the job done and it’s done day in and day out.
Q: What have you learned so far in your new role as Scheduling Manager?
A: This position takes a lot of patience. I am realizing now that this role includes more than I ever imagined.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your position?
A: Still being able to communicate with IPI’s field nurses and now its patients. My relationships made over the past 10 years are priceless.
Q: What is something about your job that would surprise us?
A: I find it very rewarding knowing that the nurses provided are allowing our patients to thrive at home with their families.
Q: What have you learned from working with our patients and their families?
A: “The struggle is real” and that we’re all in this sort of struggle together.
Q: What do you think makes IPI different from other home care agencies?
A: Our commitment to provide quality, skilled and competent nurses to our medically-complex patients.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: Tami, IPI’s President and CEO (but don’t tell her that).
Q: If you could do any other job, what would it be?
A: I would own my own Starbucks because I love coffee.
Q: What words do you live by?
A: Teamwork makes the dream work.