Chào tôi và xin chào các bạn,
It has been exactly one year at my new workplace, and I have had a chance to look back on my journey of learning and personal growth through this job.
I have realized that value is not only found in big milestones, but also in daily work and in tasks that may seem very small. Every task has its own meaning. Each one helps shape me, helps me grow, and helps me become, step by step, the person I want to be.
I have also realized that what clearly defines who I am is not only what job I do, but how I show up in any work I do. If I want to become an effective, careful, and logical person, I can practice those qualities every day through even the smallest tasks I am given — without waiting until I get my dream job to begin.
And when I have prepared myself well through those small things, the opportunity to reach my dream job may come faster, at the right time, and in the right path.
Today, I would also like to keep a record here of the things I have learned from my small daily work over the past year.
Opening
I am currently working in the General Planning Department at Saigon ITO Hospital, and I have worked here for about one year.
I would like to share about my professional work and what I have learned from it. But instead of just talking about my tasks or a special medical case, I would like to share a Journey of learning and connection inside the hospital — from the view of a staff member in the General Planning Department.
I chose this topic because I realized that even when we do not directly treat patients, we are still learning, growing, and contributing in our own way.
1. Daily Work – But Not Only Work
In my daily job, I join many activities, such as:
- Meeting secretary
- Medical record review and prescription review secretary
- Providing documents for patients
- Listening to consultation recording
- and so on,
At first, these may sound like office tasks.
But when I started doing them, I realized they are also a way to learn professional knowledge in a different way.
For example,
This is a picture of me listening to the doctor’s consultation recording. When doing this task, I feel like I am attending a lecture — but a lecture from real-life case.
Medical information becomes easier to understand and closer to reality.
Step by step, I understand more about orthopedics and trauma — not only from books, but from real situations.
And the remaining picture (on the right side of the screen) is from a meeting of the medical record review and prescription review meeting, which takes place once a month, and I am the secretary of that meeting.
My responsibilities are to take notes and complete the meeting minutes, and summarize the medical agreements after each meeting.
To clearly understand what is being discussed, I need to learn in advance about the diseases, treatment medicines, and the reasons behind the related professional decisions.
Because of that, I have a chance to learn from common diseases and also special cases in the hospital.
2. Learning from doctors – Each Specialty Has Its Own Color
Working here, I have the chance to work with doctors from many specialties.
Each group has its own color.
Surgeons are decisive, fast, and strong under pressure. And to me, many surgeons are very confident and attractive.
Internal medicine doctors are careful, logical, and detailed in every step.
Anesthesiologists work quietly, but they protect the patient’s life in the most critical moments.
One time, our Director shared a meaningful idea: if someone suddenly has a life-threatening emergency on the street, and an anesthesia staff member is nearby, that would be a great blessing.
By working with them, I have the chance to observe and learn through:
- how they think before solving a problem,
- how they make decisions in situations that require accuracy and quick action,
- and how they stay calm under high pressure.
Through these experiences, I’m gradually building important qualities for myself, such as clear thinking, calmness, responsibility, and adaptability, to become stronger in both work and life.
3. Another Connection with Patients
Working in an office does not mean being far from patients.
In fact, the General Planning Department is often the last step in their hospital journey.
Patients come to complete procedures, request documents, or ask for more information.
In those short moments, we have the chance to:
- Communicate
- Listen
- Support patients
I realize that sometimes, just a clear, gentle, and caring answer can create a very different feeling for patients — helping them feel reassured, respected, and cared for.
Through these small things, I understand more clearly the spirit of Setsugu, which the hospital has built as the foundation of communication for all staff.
And this spirit exists not only in treatment, but in every position throughout the hospital.
4. The Close Cooperation of All Departments
During the digital transformation period, the General Planning Department has worked with many departments.
I see that a hospital does not run as separate parts.
It works as one connected system, with close cooperation between:
- Clinical departments
- Support teams
And here are some pictures of teamwork among the doctors and nurses from the Orthopedic Trauma Department, the Quality Management team, the Infection Control team, and the IT Department. All parts need to work together smoothly.
And when I became part of that process, I could clearly feel:
The connection, the teamwork, and the shared effort to make the system better every day.
5. Reflection – Summary
Looking back on the past year, I realized that working in the General Planning Department is not only administrative work.
It is a place that helps me:
- Understand more about professional knowledge
- Learn from experienced doctors
- Connect with patients
- Understand how a hospital truly works
Thank you to my work for giving me the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop every day.
Love,
