From Receptionist, To Lead Role In Administration, Amber Engels Grateful For 10 Years At Mason City Clinic

April 11, 2025

“Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a nurse, like my Aunt. When my brother was hospitalized and the nursing staff drew his blood, I passed out. At that point I realized that being a nurse wasn’t going to be a reality for me,” Amber reflects.

Amber spent the first 10 years of her work history in a retail setting. Said Amber, “While I enjoyed the customer service aspect, I did not enjoy working nights and weekends. One of my previous co-workers told me about an opening for a Patient Coordinator at Mason City Clinic. She let me know that the clinic had fantastic benefits, a great work environment and best of all, no nights or weekends required. I had the interview, got the job, and 10 years later, here I am!”

Amber Wears Many Hats And Gives Her Full Effort

In Amber’s Administrative Secretary II role, she wears many hats. She assists with onboarding and credentialing new providers, helps providers with their license renewals, prepares and distributes call schedules, assists with marketing initiatives and provides clerical support to Administrator, physicians and staff.

Said Amber, “I give my full effort to everything that I work on. I try to be very intuitive and thoughtful when I am working on any given task. I try to streamline each task so that we can be more efficient and thorough each time it is completed.” 

Builds Strong And Trusting Relationships With The Providers

Said Amber, “When I receive appreciation from the physicians for assisting them in some way, and gaining their trust, that means a lot to me. I believe I have built relationships with our providers, that they know that they can come to me and I will make sure whatever they need will get done.”

Clinic Provided Amber Many Opportunities For Professional Growth

Amber spent the first four years at Mason City Clinic working as a Patient Coordinator in General Surgery. Said Amber, “I absolutely loved that department. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the department and the surgeons preferences/specifics on scheduling. After some time, I felt that I needed a new challenge and work experience.” Amber applied for one of the open Administrative Secretary positions. “ I couldn’t believe when I was selected. I was so nervous, but also very excited for the new opportunities that the role would offer me,” said Amber.

“I have always been organized and detailed oriented. Being in the Administrative Secretary II role, I have been able to take my skills to a level that I didn’t dream possible. I started at the clinic as a receptionist, and 10 years later, I am in a lead role in Administration supporting the Administrator and physicians. With my hard work and dedication, I have been given opportunities to excel. I am very proud of the person that the clinic has helped shaped me into, both personally and professionally,” Amber said.

Amber’s Mentors Have Been Key To Her Success

Said Amber, “My boss, Dana Young, the Clinic’s Administrator, was and has continued to be an excellent teacher to me professionally. When I started in Administration, my   co-worker Savanah McClemons, currently the Human Resources & Recruitment Director, took the time to teach me the skills needed to be most efficient in my role. Seeing how Savanah grew in her role has always been a motivating factor for me. Both Dana & Savanah’s contributions to my professional growth have been numerous and I will forever be grateful for their wealth of knowledge.”

Advice For New Employees Joining Mason City Clinic

“If you are ready to put the work in and are dedicated to your role, Mason City Clinic will offer you endless opportunities to excel professionally,” Amber advises.

Enjoys Photography, Reading, Family

Amber said, “I enjoy listening to audiobooks, photography, and spending time with my family. I also love everything true crime! I constantly have Dateline or some other show like that on. I can’t get enough of it!”