The End is just the Beginning

We have been fortunate enough to have had Alyson as our Intern in Employee Services over the summer. Her internship is coming to an end, but as you'll see that end is just the beginning...

As my internship at Pinnacol comes to an end, I wanted to write a blog about what I have learned. While I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the company, specifically more about human resources, I think the most valuable lessons I learned are not something that can be graded by my professor or my mentors, but rather are personal lessons that will help me develop within my career.

One of the most important things I learned was continue to develop and maintain your network. Networking is the most important thing that you can do for yourself professionally. This simple act can take your career in directions you never imagined possible.

Another important lesson I learned is that people are more than willing to let you shadow them if you just ask. If the organization you are in is committed to developing you professionally, they will be more than accommodating to allow you to explore career possibilities.

When you put in hard work, it will pay off. Whether you are seeking gratification from your manager, peers or just yourself, taking pride in the work you do is important. If you spend time to get things done the right way and give 100% to a project, you will recognize that the best kind of gratification you will get will be from yourself.

Always ask questions. There really is no such thing as a stupid question. When you don’t have any questions, that’s when people (co-workers, managers, etc.) start to worry. There is no one in the world that knows everything so ask for help when you need it and ask questions.

Your reputation is important. It will follow you. Be kind, humble, and do your absolute best. When you’re feeling negative, walk away and take some time for yourself. Take a short walk or a short coffee break.

Lastly, don’t make it about the money. If you want a career you love, make sure you focus on the culture of a company and how you fit in with others. While a company is judging you , you have to judge them as well. Most people take jobs based on the money, but in reality we all just want to be happy with our jobs. You spend a good majority of your time at work, so make sure that you fit in and the culture is nothing short of fabulous.

I am fortunate enough to have been offered a permanent position at Pinnacol. While my internship is ending, my career is just beginning. I couldn’t be happier to explore all the possibilities that Pinnacol has to offer me. I literally can grow my career under the same roof and never get bored. The culture is what drew me in and the people are what drew me to stay. I’m so fortunate to have had this opportunity. Megan, David, and Dolores (along with the rest of the Employee Services team) have really taught me so much about professionalism, my career goals, and personal development.

Alyson's other blogs:
Attending a Job Fair? Some tips...
Flashback 2002
My Life as an intern at Pinnacol

Pinnacol hosts Halloween Spooktacular!

As a Human Resources Representative I've used a lot of adjectives through the years to describe life at Pinnacol but "SPOOKY!" has never been one of them. That is, until today.

Through the years we've hosted Pumpkin Carving and Costume Contests for our employees but today we'll be having a very special group of visitors including a fair share of Lady Bugs, Ninja Warriors, Tinker Bell's and Fairy's, and especially topical for this year all sorts of Star Wars characters. The children of our employees will be trick or treating throughout our building this afternoon and all of the teams have decorated their work areas in a manner to have the kids shrieking and screaming as they meander from one candy filled jack-o-lantern to the next.

Tinker Bell rates as one of Good HouseKeeping's top costumes for 2015

Workers' Compensation deals with very serious issues so it's nice to celebrate special occasions such as this. I'm sure all the adults will be exhausted but the kids will remember this event at least until tomorrow when they celebrate the official Halloween and they and their exhausted parents get to do it all over again!

Check out our refreshed Website!

Pinnacol.com has undergone a complete refresh so check it out and let us know your thoughts!

The folks in charge of the website are always looking for ways to make it easier to find information whether you are on a desktop, tablet, or handheld device. For those interested in exploring opportunities with Pinnacol the Careers button is still at the very top of the page!

Thank you to all the candidates we met at Dice Tech Fair

Brian, Jesse, Tim, and Cory looking
forward to speaking to candidates

On Tuesday of this week I and Megan (my counterpart in Human Resources) participated in the DICE Tech and Engineering Job Fair held at the Denver Tech Center Marriott Hotel.

We had a chance to meet with a lot of great candidates at the Fair which had a strong turnout. I had asked some of our IT folks to join me so I owe a special thank you to Cory, Tim, Brian, and Jesse for helping out. My knowledge of IT goes only so far, so Megan and I spent our time introducing candidates to Pinnacol and getting them to one of our four IT pros for more in-depth conversations. Cory heads up our application development side, Tim runs our Help Desk area, Jesse runs our Security function, and Brian comes out of the Data and Network Services area so candidates could talk shop directly with some of our hiring managers.

Thank you to DICE for hosting the Fair and thank you especially to everyone who stopped by. It was great to meet you!

What does Global Warming mean for the upcoming Flu Season?

Pinnacol, like many employers, offers free or low-cost flu shots to employees hoping to avoid the aches and pains associated with whatever variation of influenza will be circulating this season. At Pinnacol we'll be getting our flu shots on October 29th. Not every employee signs up, but I can't remember the last year I didn't receive my poke in the arm. Last year's shots were apparently only mildly effective as a prevention as the folks that make the shots have to make an educated guess months ahead as to which virus to protect against.

Here in Colorado, as well as in much of the west, we're having beautiful, and unseasonably warm, weather. Denver yesterday broke the high temperature record for the date with a high of 87 degrees. Even in the mountains the weather has been warm with no ski areas as of yet able to start making snow. Normally ski season starts in just a couple of weeks, but this year they'll need quite the change in weather to have us sliding down the hills anytime soon.

I'm not sure if global warming is the cause for the climb in temperature this year and I'm not willing to prognosticate as to whether the mild weather will continue or for how long. But it does make you wonder - will the milder temperatures have any impact on the upcoming flu season? We are in week 42 of 2015 and according to the chart from last year that's about the time when the Center for Disease Control normally see's the spike in reported flu symptoms start to climb.

As you'll notice, the height of flu season last year was in the last week of 2014. Of course, flu hits different parts of the country at slightly different times. Here in the office we're already seeing an increase in people fighting colds and other respiratory ailments (it can't be the flu yet, right?) and we haven't even seen the first snow. Whether you are a believer in global warming or not, one can still hope that the milder climate may keep those pesky viruses at bay. But just in case, I'll be standing in line, sleeve rolled up, to get that jab in the arm as I always do. Regardless as to whether you participate, here is hoping for a quiet flu season. How about you - are you getting a flu shot this year? Do you think the climate impacts the flu season?

Getting the most out of an Internship Experience: You Get Out What You Put in

Back in June our intern Alyson had blogged about her experience with Pinnacol. Over the last several months Alyson has been working hard to make the most of her internship so we thought we'd have her write another blog about getting the most out of your time with a company...

So you’re close to graduating, or you just want to make you resume stand out, or you want some experience; whatever the reason, your internship is one of the most important experiences in college. Many students often wonder why an internship is necessary. Well the answer is simple. An internship can be of considerable benefit to you. Internships will introduce you to potential future work environments and you will be able to decide whether these meet your career wishes and interests. You can also acquire important supplementary skills during an internship and make contact with potential future employers.

It would be disappointing if you left your internship and realized that you really didn’t learn anything new or you didn’t develop your skills professionally. You might kick yourself and think, “Well they (the organization) didn’t help me do this or that… this was a waste of time…” The reality is it is your responsibility to make the most of your time at the company so here are a few tips to making the most of your internship:

Strategize: Before you walk into your first day at your internship have a strategy in mind. Know what you want to gain from this experience. Is there something in particular you might be interested in within the company? A certain department or job? Do you know what you want to learn or what skills you want to enhance?

Use your time wisely: You should be aware of how much time you have at your internship. If you only have 300 hours verses a whole semester it is important to use your time wisely. Set up meetings with anyone doing a job you might be interested in. Visit different departments to find out what they do within the company. Use the time you have to pick the brains of the professionals you are surrounded by.

Communicate: Communicate your wants and needs to your mentor or preceptor. Let them know what you are interested in so you can find work or a project that is motivating and will help you gain something professionally. Talk everyone you meet. Being open and communicating with everyone will expand your network and it will show the organization that you fit in.

Ask questions: This is your time to ask whatever questions you want relating to the business or the industry. There is no such thing as a stupid question when you are trying to gain as much knowledge as possible from this experience.

Participate: Make sure you put yourself out there and participate. Lunch and learns, meetings, social events, or whatever other events the organization does is an opportunity to really get out there and meet professionals and show them you are part of the team. Again, this is a networking tool.

Your internship is what you make it. You get out what you put in. This is your chance to really make something of your career and enhance your confidence and professionalism. When you put in 100% you will get a great internship experience. Be on time, be professional, and be open-minded.

Other blogs by Alyson:
Flashback 2002
My Life as an Intern at Pinnacol

Pinnacol In Action: PIA Days 2015

In celebration of 100 years of Pinnacol’s commitment to Colorado, our Pinnacol In Action (PIA) Advisory Council will be coordinating 100 Pinnacol employees who will be volunteering in five different volunteer events from October 12-16. Pinnacol In Action is our volunteer program that gives every Pinnacol employee two days of paid time off each year to volunteer in the community.

This year's PIA Days events include:

• Ronald McDonald House -  for the past 36 years, Ronald McDonald House Denver has offered a loving home away from home to families needing to be near their seriously ill or injured child while they are being treated a Denver area hospital. 
• Montbello Central Park with Denver Parks and Recreation. I did this one several years ago and though it was hard work it was great! Pinnacol volunteers will be painting, removing debris, turning playground sand, and beautifying the baseball field.
• Project C.U.R.E. - Project C.U.R.E. is the largest provider of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries around the world. Our volunteers will be packing boxes of medical supplies to be shipped to the developing world. This is another event that I've been fortunate enough to do in past years and it's very rewarding. 
• George Washington High School with Denver Public Schools Foundation -  Pinnacol volunteers will be painting and organizing the student union and the volunteer center, organizing supplies, and supporting the Community Engagement Officer with various projects around the school. I've never done this event but our volunteers spend a fair amount of time at GWHS through other organizations including GoodWill through whom I'll be volunteering in November helping students learn how to conduct a job search. 
• PawsCO - PawsCO is dedicated to reducing pet overpopulation and offers a comprehensive approach through their three programs: PawsCo Spay/Neuter, PawsCo Pet Food Drive and PawsCo Adoptions. Our employees will be assembling feral cat enclosures. These enclosures are very important during the winter to keep community cats, a group that includes ferals (who are afraid of people) and strays (who've been lost or abandoned). No matter how resourceful these outdoor cats are, they need help surviving winter.

Even our Grand Junction office will get into the swing of things helping clean up a section of Highway 50. 

Thank you to all of our employees who will be involved in these events!

New position available: Healthcare Contract Manager

Many people are surprised to find that Pinnacol has established one of the largest provider networks in Colorado. Called SelectNet, Pinnacol Assurance's occupational health network provides quality care for workers injured on the job. SelectNet is comprised of primary care physicians, specialists, rehabilitation service providers, ancillary medical providers and hospitals located throughout Colorado.

Committed to the highest standards of care in occupational medicine, SelectNet relies on primary care physicians to manage the patient's overall treatment plan, while making referrals, as necessary, to specialists. Integrated services available within the network include:

Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
Referrals to board certified physician specialists
Chiropractic care
Podiatry
Licensed clinical psychologists
Mid-level practitioners
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Orthotics and prosthetics
Home health care
Durable medical equipment
Specialized medical imaging
Pharmaceutical benefits

In 1991, Colorado State Senate Bill 218 was passed, requiring workers' compensation insurance carriers to offer managed care in specific Colorado counties. Pinnacol Assurance saw the law as an opportunity to enhance our entire provider network and care-delivery procedures throughout the state, not just in the counties specified in the bill.

With feedback from providers, policyholders, workers, and insurance agents — as well as extensive research, time, and investment — SelectNet was officially launched in June 1996 with this goal: "To provide the right amount of care at the right time, and to safely return injured workers to work as quickly as possible." We are constantly improving our network and processes to meet this goal and to better serve our customers and medical providers.

We have a new opportunity for an experienced contracting professional to join us in the role of Healthcare Contract Manager. Based out of our Lowry headquarters this position will be responsible for contracting, implementation, administration and monitoring of new large system and high volume contracts. This position is accountable for providing a full range of operational support around existing large system contracts with additional focus on re-contracting and collaborative opportunities for lowering claims costs, improving levels of service and the quality of care.

A Bachelor’s Degree in health care administration, business, or related field is strongly preferred. Relevant work experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree. A minimum of 5 years experience in progressive network management including contracting and network administration is required along with proven experience negotiating workers’ compensation or commercial reimbursement contracts with complex hospital systems and large physician groups.

If the Healthcare Contract Manager opportunity sounds of interest we would love to hear from you! Please apply via our company website.

 

Fresh Blanket of Snow

Denver commuters who were westbound this morning and who happened to glance up from the brake lights in front of them were treated to a spectacular view of Mount Evans sporting a fresh coat of snow. I didn't notice it until I arrived at our Lowry offices and was parking my car. My eastbound commute, apart from watching brake lights, consists of seeing the sun slowly creep above the horizon.

After the warmest September on record the first couple of days of October have hinted at what is to come weather-wise. Cooler temperatures are becoming the norm and last night saw some heavy rains in the metro area. If the temperatures had been much cooler Denver would have seen its first snowfall but that, at least for now, was reserved for the higher terrain west of town. 

For those of you new to Denver, Mount Evans is the 14'er that dominates the western skyline. According to the measured distance function on Google Maps, from our Lowry offices in east Denver its almost exactly 40 miles as the crow flies to the summit of this lofty peak (14,271 ft.) and on a clear day it would be possible to see Mount Evans from as far away as Limon (105 miles) out on the eastern plains. Folks who have been here a while are probably aware that you can drive to the top of Mount Evans during summer months on the highest paved road in North America. 

Originally known as Mt. Rosa or Mt. Rosalie, in 1895 Colorado's legislature officially renamed the peak in honor of John Evans, second governor of the Colorado Territory from 1862 to 1865. Evans had been forced to resign 30 years prior because of his part in the infamous Sand Creek Massacre and its subsequent cover-up.

I've been in Denver since 1971 and I can remember driving up Mount Evans when there was still a restaurant and gift shop at the top called the Crest House. That building burned down in 1979 but the rock foundation remains. As you would imagine the weather on the mountain can be extreme, and Mount Evans even saw a high altitude tornado at almost 12,000 feet on July 28, 2012. Mount Evans is also famous for its snow white mountain goats which regularly are seen along the road to the summit. 

This morning's snow may not last for long as it is still early season, but this first coat is a harbinger of what we'll be seeing in Denver before too long.