Candice Robinson, BS, NCPT-4
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About
I have a BS in Organizational Psychology & truly have a love for helping mental health practices run efficiently! I have over 20 years of experience in the healthcare, nursing, & medical field. I love what I do, especially with the freedom to work virtually. I enjoy extending my free time to other volunteer opportunities.
Candice’s Career Stories
What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?
"Go with where your heart is, the money will come. " - My nursing program instructor
How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?
I have always worked in healthcare. When I graduated from high school I was unsure of what I wanted to do so I became a Certified Nursing Assistant. I did that for 5 years & then transitioned to a Habilitation Technician, providing support to individuals with disabilities in educational & community settings. While doing that I returned to school & initially majored in nursing. After making it into my program & taking a pharmacology course I decided that nursing is not what I truly wanted to do long-term. From there I focused my education more on the administrative side of healthcare & became a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant. I worked in this role for several years in various major organizations. Then I gained several certifications specializing in psychiatrics, psychology, & behavioral health. Including becoming a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Technique Life Coach. I used these certifications to gain opportunities in management of mental health practices. I then again returned to school to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Psychology, focusing on applying the principles of psychology to human resources, administration, sales, & marketing problems. I guess it all eventually came full circle.
In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?
I answer phones & emails. Conducting consultation calls to assure patients are a fit for the mental health practice. Onboarding them for intake & matching them with a clinician or professional counselor. Scheduling appointments. Verifying insurance & following up on claims/billing. Answering any client questions that may arise & documenting notes.
How did you start building your network?
LinkedIn is my biggest network builder. It allows me to present myself to others as a knowledgeable professional & build my brand. When I first started, I also used a freelancing platform called Upwork. It connects independent talent with businesses & agencies around the world for project based work.
What is it like when your job gets tough?
Sometimes you can get burned out . Dealing with the health & wellness of others is a highly demanding role. You have to teach yourself to not take the work home with you & take time out for yourself by doing something you personally enjoy.
When did you get your first Big Break? How did you get it? How did it go?
I started working with my first major practice in early 2021. I applied for the job as a freelance Intake Coordinator & was offered a part time role as the Office Manager. I still work with the practice & will be taking on a larger role with them soon, including becoming an ABA Behavior Technician. It has been a great experience so far & I have learned a lot of things about psychological testing & evaluation. I am looking forward to what the future may bring.
Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?
Yes! Everyone always thought I should be a nurse. My mother was a Licensed Practical Nurse. Everyone thought that would be the best career path for me to take because my mom could guide me through. I did become a Certified Nursing Assistant & go to nursing school before deciding that long term this was not the career goal for me.
When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?
Yes. I took as many continuing education courses as I could , including free & online courses. It really helped my career by showing employers that I have a genuine interest in what I do & am eager to learn more.
What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?
Figure out what you like to do AND what you are good at doing. Research careers where you are able to combine them, even if they are non-traditional.
What is the biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are now professionally? How did you overcome it?
Learning to do things out of my comfort zone. Though I love the administrative side & making sure things are running smoothly, I have been called to coach clients several times & my supervisors feel I am good at it. The more I practice it, the more comfortable I become.