The Rise of the Healthcare Virtual Assistant

OFW Nurse: The Rise of Healthcare Virtual Assistant in the Midst of Global Coronavirus Pandemic

Risking our lives in the fighting of coronavirus is more stressful and frustrating. As the number of infected patients increased, the more number of deaths were recorded. The statistic was drastically increased and it resulted in a panic in most of the people. But as healthcare workers , we are in the frontline fighting against this pandemic not by choice but by demand. I am not afraid when I’m at work, because I’m doing what is right by standard precautionary measures. What I am afraid of, when we run out of resources - healthcare workers.

The rise of the healthcare virtual assistant

I am a staff nurse, an OFW, a wife and a mother of the only son. I am working in the military government hospital with my husband as a non-medical worker. My son is far from us. He is in good hands with my parents in the Philippines. We were supposed to be going for vacation but our long-awaited plan for vacation was cancelled. It is difficult for us as OFW especially when you are excited to go home , to see and hug your son. Emotions like stress, frustration, worry of what will happen to the next and missing my son can lead me to cry out loud and prayer was my strength.

Way back the time when I am taking this nursing course, the reason for most of us is to go abroad and earn dollars for our family. Yes! I am hypocrite if I will tell you that I want to serve our country but serving our nation was part of my work anyways.

Currently, I am working as a Nursing Assistant in our Outpatient Department. During this pandemic, we are serving the patient virtually since they are restricted from going to hospital premises if not necessary. We offer them virtual assistant services like receiving calls from our patient for their medication refill, reappointment and inquiries.

The current situations are pulling down the worldwide economy. A lot of establishments are closed and many workers lost their jobs. Most people are now depending on the local government. Some are able to resume their operation but there was restriction in some areas, this is so called a New Normal.

Considering to shift into Healthcare Virtual Assistant

Because of this, my husband and I came up with a certain idea to try online jobs. In this way, we can work from home and we will have more time for our family together. I’d try to watch some YouTube channels for the part time job.It is difficult for me especially for the newbie on how I can start on this kind of online job. Accidentally, on my Facebook account I found Filipino Virtual Assistance Coaching by Kathy Cabradilla. I was interested in her post without any hesitation, so I asked her a question. Immediately, she answered all my inquiries with consideration.

New trends for healthcare workers, a telemedicine

June 03, 2020 is the beginning of my journey on an online job set up in Filipino Virtual Assistance Academy. I thought it was easy but when the days go on, it was getting challenging. I am working as a full time nurse as well as having intensive training in Filipino Virtual Assistance Academy. There are times that I want to give up this kind of job but since I really needed it, why should I need to engage in this job. I am thankful to the wholehearted and willing support of my coach. I am planning that within 6 months before the end of our contract, I can offer Medical Administrative Assistance to those who need my service. So I can shift from Nursing Assistant into Healthcare Virtual Assistant.