Meet Esther, central planning team leader
“I think ADHDcentraal is a very open organization.”
Can you explain what your position is and what you do like?
Basically, I manage the team of planners. Together with the location managers, we are tasked with ensuring that everything around staff scheduling runs smoothly at the location.
Our goal is to schedule all staff as efficiently as possible so that we have to reschedule as few patient appointments as possible. After all, waiting lists are already long enough! We work with fixed schedules for all staff, so it’s mostly about accommodating sickness and days off. Sometimes we can solve that at the location itself, and sometimes we have to be more creative. That always makes the work challenging!
Why did you choose to work at ADHDcentraal?
I started at ADHDcentraal as a flex location assistant. That was especially fun because I could gain experience at different locations. Then I became a location assistant in Amsterdam. At one point we got a new planning program, which I immediately enjoyed. Through that planning program I became more and more involved in planning and organizing our work. I was also able to take over my colleagues’ tasks during their vacations, so I got better and better at planning!
What do you get the most energy from in your work at ADHDcentraal?
What I love most about my job is the thrill when we have solved all the challenges together again and put the puzzle together. I really enjoy organizing and shifting days to get everything to fit. By now I’ve gained quite a bit of experience in planning, so now I also find it interesting to step back a bit and see how we can further improve our processes. In addition, we have a fantastic team! It is always nice to catch up with each other on Mondays.
In general, our work is very positive, but it is never fun to have to deliver the message that a patient needs to be moved. Fortunately, all the staff at ADHDcentraal are flexible and always willing to help.
What does your workday look like?
We have created a division of labor for managing the mailbox in the morning, starting as early as 7:30 a.m. and addressing sick calls. Then we get to work as a team, processing emails, looking for replacements, making schedules and consulting with site managers on scheduling issues. We also have conversations with the team and have a cup of coffee together.
What superpower would you like to have that could be useful in your work at ADHDcentraal?
I think a time machine would be very useful, then you can anticipate things that are going to happen.
What would you give people who want to apply for a job at ADHDcentraal?
I find ADHDcentraal to be a very open organization. The atmosphere is very positive, both at headquarters and at the locations. Everyone is always willing to help, and the management is also accessible and can regularly be found at the locations. It’s just an incredibly fun company to work for! And then there’s that fun ADHDay! I always enjoy that day. So nice to see all the colleagues again then.