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Cheryl, HR Compliance Consultant III at Kaiser Permanente: Advize Career Interview
An interview with Kaiser Permanente's HR Compliance Consultant III, Cheryl, reveals a dynamic and impactful career path.
Beginning with vocational training and evolving through various roles within the organization, a journey highlights the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and networking.
The role itself centers on ensuring regulatory compliance within the organization's systems, mentoring colleagues, and leading the way in addressing client questions.
Days are unpredictable, filled with meetings, collaboration, and sometimes addressing urgent issues. Crucial skills include active listening, communication, attention to detail, and flexibility.
What Cheryl finds most rewarding is contributing to patient safety, staff compliance, and successful regulatory surveys.
Overcoming client resistance to technology is a major challenge, but there is enjoyment found in the healthcare industry due to its many opportunities for learning and helping people.
Successful HR Compliance Consultants possess the ability to see the big picture, work with data, and prioritize attention to detail while being an active listener.
The interview stresses the importance of understanding union relationships and embracing a proactive approach to learning and follow-up, with entry-level positions like internships or Compliance Coordinator roles offering a starting point.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Cheryl Zapanta
HR Compliance Consultant III
Kaiser Permanente
Community College
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Medical, Sciences & Related
Healthcare
Consulting
None Applicable
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Career Path of an HR Compliance Consultant at Kaiser Permanente
Cheryl began their career journey by attending vocational school for medical secretary work, which led to internships and a receptionist position that evolved into a facilities coordinator role. After seven years, an initial missed opportunity with Kaiser Permanente turned into a 24-year career, starting in physician recruitment and progressing through roles like recruiting assistant, disability management, and compliance, ultimately reaching the position of HR Compliance Consultant III by being a "sponge" who learned about the organization and networked.
Main Responsibilities Of An HR Compliance Consultant III At Kaiser Permanente
As an HR Compliance Consultant III at Kaiser Permanente, responsibilities center on strategy and programs, particularly ensuring regulatory compliance within the A-H-R-I-S system, which includes standardization and the transition from paper to electronic documentation using e Smart File Manager to improve efficiency and audit readiness, noting that "surveyors just love how everything's like electronic." Beyond this, a key aspect of the role involves mentoring colleagues and "leading the way" in addressing client questions, alongside learning the backend programming of the eMAR fall system to better adjust requirements.
A Day in the Life of an HR Compliance Consultant at Kaiser Permanente
As an HR Compliance Consultant III at Kaiser Permanente, days can be unpredictable, ranging from "standby" mode when regulatory agencies conduct on-site visits, to focusing on electronic documentation and ensuring client support. Otherwise, days are filled with meetings, collaborating with regional partners and senior leadership to drive current programs, and sometimes "put[ting] out some fires" that require immediate attention, highlighting the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the role.
Most Important Skills For An HR Compliance Consultant III At Kaiser Permanente
For an HR Compliance Consultant III role at Kaiser Permanente, Cheryl emphasizes the importance of being "a good active listener" and communicator, as well as detail-oriented, given the ever-changing regulatory landscape, like "the changes in California law". Crucially, being flexible in communication styles to accommodate clients' preferences is also key, whether it's "getting a ping on teams" or meeting in person.
Favorite Parts Of Being An HR Compliance Consultant III At Kaiser Permanente
Cheryl enjoys their HR Compliance Consultant III role at Kaiser Permanente because it allows them to ensure patient safety and staff compliance. Specifically, Cheryl appreciates contributing to successful regulatory surveys with "no findings" and collaborating with various levels of leadership on projects and inquiries within the organization.
Biggest Challenges Faced By an HR Compliance Consultant at Kaiser Permanente
Cheryl's biggest challenge as an HR Compliance Consultant III at Kaiser Permanente is overcoming client resistance to technology, specifically regarding the shift from "paper documentation" to electronic systems like the electronic competencies project, despite the benefits of risk mitigation and organizational efficiency. Fortunately, the majority of clients are embracing the change and "being our advocates" to those still hesitant.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Healthcare As An HR Compliance Consultant
Cheryl enjoys working in healthcare because there are "so many opportunities" to learn and do different things, such as HR compliance, and because organizations like Kaiser Permanente support employee education, work-life balance, and wellness. Ultimately, the most rewarding aspect is the ability to "help people", fulfilling a desire that initially led Cheryl to consider nursing.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Healthcare Industry According To An HR Compliance Consultant III At Kaiser Permanente
Cheryl describes successful HR Compliance Consultants as individuals who can see the "big picture" beyond immediate tasks, understanding that their work ultimately ensures patient safety and organizational stability, further noting that "there's a lot of analytics" to the role, so a person should appreciate working with data, while also being "detail oriented" and an active listener to understand and address client needs.
What a HR Compliance Consultant at Kaiser Permanente wishes they had known before entering the Human Resources industry
Cheryl wishes someone had emphasized the critical relationship between the compliance department and labor unions, especially when mandating employee trainings that are a "condition of employment." According to Cheryl, it is important to "notice the union" to avoid grievances and foster a partnership, emphasizing the need to identify key players and stakeholders in organizational decisions to ensure proper protocol.
Entry-level Positions For Aspiring HR Compliance Consultants
Cheryl, a HR Compliance Consultant III at Kaiser Permanente, suggests that undergraduate and graduate students interested in HR could pursue an internship at Kaiser to "get their feet wet in the different aspects of human resources," or a Compliance Coordinator role, which is an entry-level position involving data entry and classification of documents with some analytics. These roles could allow for exposure to compliance, recruitment, or even consulting with unions and management staff.
Significant Career Lesson From An HR Compliance Consultant At Kaiser Permanente
Cheryl, an HR Compliance Consultant III at Kaiser Permanente, emphasizes that consistent "follow up" is a critical lesson in career. By doing what one says and diligently finding answers or connecting clients with the right resources, one builds trust and strong relationships, ultimately establishing themself as a reliable and approachable resource.
College Experiences That Helped an HR Compliance Consultant at Kaiser Permanente Succeed
Cheryl emphasized that a willingness to learn and absorb information like "a sponge" was crucial to career success. Furthermore, a "doer" mentality, needing to practically apply knowledge to truly grasp it, proved invaluable in their career as an HR Compliance Consultant.
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