AUTUMN SIMMERS
Harrisonburg,VA
Summary
Highly motivated and results-driven professional with a bachelor's degree in business administration, specializing in Health Administration and Communications. Skilled in blending business principles with healthcare operations to support efficient workflows, strong team performance, and high-quality communication standards. Brings a unique ability to translate complex operational needs into clear strategies, fostering collaboration, enhancing service delivery, and strengthening organizational communication.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisor, Central Communications
Sentara Healthcare
02.2024 - Current
- Lead departmental scheduling operations in partnership with Workforce Management, ensuring consistent 24/7/365 coverage while aligning staffing strategies with operational demands and organizational goals.
- Coordinate and support daily business operations for centralized hospital communications, ensuring efficient, accurate, and uninterrupted service delivery across emergency and non-emergency functions.
- Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to implement process improvements, optimize workflows, and maintain adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
- Provide operational oversight and real-time decision support by monitoring performance, addressing staffing gaps, resolving system issues, and maintaining continuity of operations in a fast-paced environment.
- Support departmental initiatives through communication, coordination, and execution, ensuring alignment across teams and successful implementation of operational priorities.
- Develop, mentor, and coach frontline staff, reinforcing accountability, process consistency, and high-quality service standards.
- Serve as a key point of contact during critical events, managing communication systems, coordinating resources, and ensuring timely escalation and response.
- Contribute to internal reporting and communication efforts, including co-developing the monthly departmental newsletter to promote transparency, engagement, and consistency across teams.Lead scheduling authority for the entire department, partnering closely with Workforce Management to ensure seamless 24/7/365 staffing coverage and alignment with operational demands.
- Provide operational leadership for centralized hospital communications, ensuring continuous, accurate, and reliable emergency and non-emergency support.
- Supervise, coach, and develop frontline communication staff, driving accountability, adherence to protocols, and consistent service quality.
- Serve as the primary emergency communications authority, activating emergency alerts, managing the Emergency Notification System, and coordinating on-call medical personnel during critical events.
- Monitor real-time operational performance, addressing staffing needs, system issues, and workflow interruptions to maintain service continuity.
- Co-facilitate the monthly departmental newsletter alongside the technical writer, contributing content and supporting communication consistency across the team.
Team Lead, Telecommunications
Sentara Healthcare
02.2020 - 02.2024
- Supervise daily operations by providing hands-on training, coaching, guidance, and continuous support to ensure high performance, protocol adherence, and consistent service quality among communication staff.
- Construct, manage, and modify the full Communications Staff Schedule for the entire department, ensuring accurate 24/7 coverage and seamless alignment with operational demands.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for emergent and critical call requests across the entire Sentara Healthcare enterprise, functioning as a highly skilled emergency dispatcher with expert knowledge of all emergency procedures.
Administrative Assistant - Family Birthplace
Sentara Healthcare
03.2018 - 02.2020
- First point of contact for all individuals on the unit, and responsible for screening and security verification of individuals permitted to the secure unit.
- Provide administrative support to clinical staff and physicians for Mother Baby and Labor and Delivery Unit.
- Responsible for the electronic registration of patients, using EMR systems, and insurance verification software.
Telecommunications Assistant
Sentara Healthcare
01.2016 - 03.2018
- Lead emergency communication efforts, ensuring the correct personnel are notified promptly and accurately during critical and time-sensitive situations.
- Deliver exceptional customer service to medical staff, patients, and the community by providing clear, timely, and compassionate communication.
Lead Service Representative
Planet Fitness
06.2014 - 12.2015
- Supervised front desk operations, managing member check-ins, inquiries, and facility maintenance.
- Conducted audits to ensure adherence to company standards and safety protocols.
Front Desk Supervisor
Massanutten Four Seasons Resort
06.2011 - 06.2014
- Oversee core department operations, coordinating switchboard activities, reservation services, and quality assurance tasks.
- Maintained accurate financial controls by handling cash counts, reconciliations, and shift-transition deposits.
- Delivered effective customer support by addressing inquiries and resolving issues to enhance overall satisfaction.
Classroom Teaching Assistant
Generations Crossings Inc.
08.2010 - 09.2011
- Coordinate and facilitate activities fulfilling physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of children in diverse age groups and programs within facility.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Liberty University
Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration
Blue Ridge Community College
Advanced High School Diploma - undefined
Broadway High School
Skills
- Customer service
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Delegation
- Coaching and mentoring
- Multitasking
- Emergency management
- Policy development and implementation
- Leadership and supervisory skills
- Adaptability
- Microsoft 365
- Amcom
- Amtelco Secure Messaging (ASM)
- Everbridge Notification System (ENS)
- Avaya Contact Recorder (ACR)
- Pneumatic Tube Station- PEVCO
- AHI-QA and AHI-Lobby
- Webstation
- SPOK Mobile
- Workday
- CMS Supervisor
- Epic Hyperspace
- Crystal Reports
- IS Supervisor
Timeline
Supervisor, Central Communications
Sentara Healthcare
02.2024 - Current
Team Lead, Telecommunications
Sentara Healthcare
02.2020 - 02.2024
Administrative Assistant - Family Birthplace
Sentara Healthcare
03.2018 - 02.2020
Telecommunications Assistant
Sentara Healthcare
01.2016 - 03.2018
Lead Service Representative
Planet Fitness
06.2014 - 12.2015
Front Desk Supervisor
Massanutten Four Seasons Resort
06.2011 - 06.2014
Classroom Teaching Assistant
Generations Crossings Inc.
08.2010 - 09.2011
Advanced High School Diploma - undefined
Broadway High School
Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration
Blue Ridge Community College
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Liberty University