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Donna Paige’s Avatar

Donna Paige

Human Resources/Phlebotomist/Medical Assistant/Students entering into the workforce
Other - Healthcare Support Occupations
Hammond, Indiana
12 Answers
8100 Reads
32 Karma

About

I began my career in the medical field as a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist, where I worked closely with patients navigating complex health challenges.

I currently work in HR as a Leave and Accommodations Specialist. My expertise is in FMLA, ADA, WC, and various state leave programs. I help employees navigate medical workplace challenges. My work centers on equity and ensuring employee understands their rights.

The transferable skills I gained were critical to my transition into HR. I had previously reviewed medical documentation, understanding functional limitations, PHI confidentiality, and supporting employees through health-related barriers; which made the move into an HR Employee Health Specialist role easy for me.

Donna’s Career Stories

When did you get your first Big Break? How did you get it? How did it go?

I started my career in the medical field, with my last role in occupational health, where I learned how closely it connects to employee wellbeing. That experience led to my first HR role as an Employee Health Coordinator, handling FMLA, leave, ADA, safety, workers’ comp, employee health records, and trainings. With that foundation, I applied for a role I was only 75% qualified for (and got it) which pushed me deeper into leave and accommodations. I got the opportunity because I was honest about what I knew, confident about what I could learn, and willing to stretch. It went better than I expected; that role became the foundation for my career in leave and accommodations and opened every door after within Human Resources.