Putting the “IT” in “integrity”

Gino Jean, IT Hardware Analyst II at Consulate Health Care’s Maitland corporate office, appreciates a good challenge he can tackle head-on.

When you think of information technology, maybe “creativity” isn’t the first word to surface in your mind. But in Gino Jean’s world, creativity often forms the backbone of the work he does for Consulate corporate (and the entire network of care centers throughout six states in the U.S.). Creative problem-solving is more than a skill—it’s a way of life for Jean, and what makes his career all the more interesting.

He chuckled while he explained the IT department’s need to think quickly and piece together equipment on the fly. In order for administrators to properly serve residents and patients to the best of their ability, admins and staff need to have technology on their side, especially in this increasingly digital world. Technology forms another crucial gear in the bigger microcosm of a care center.

Jean began his IT career at Walgreens as a B level System Administrator. He explained: “My primary role at the time involved routine maintenance of all controllers that interfaced with fulfillment dispensers at the Central Pharmacy Operations. I learned how to administer IT systems facility management to over five departments and three shifts that employed more than 1,500 people, which included pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and production workers.”

While he spoke positively about his time in the Walgreens IT department, Jean expressed gratitude for the refreshing atmosphere and approach of Consulate Health Care corporate. He described the environment as “Mom and Pop,” “family-like, casual,” despite the serious business of running a major company.

He elaborated: “Working at a place where you feel like you’re a part of a family is the biggest factor when looking for a career. Most companies that I worked for in the past made me feel like a number, but working here at Consulate, I feel genuine love from the end users that I support, which in turn makes us more of a family.”

Jean commended select individuals he has worked with at Consulate thus far. “The most impactful person I’ve met here in my tenure is Michael Armstrong. He always has a smile and is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done. Training with him was an absolute joy, and the level of customer service experience I picked up was very useful and really came in handy working in the Hardware Department.”

He also complimented Consulate CIO, Mark Crandall, and how he too carries out a more colloquial, kind, friendly approach to an otherwise vital and serious business. Jean recalled an incident in which he needed to take off work for a week. He said that Crandall, as well as fellow co-workers and other Maitland corporate Consulate leaders, reached out to him to check in. He said it’s thoughtfulness like this that, “makes you feel really appreciated and valued at a company.”

In addition to the positive influence of Consulate employees, Jean also praised the flexibility of his work hours and the dependability of having a consistent schedule. In addition to working a full-time job, Jean is also pursuing his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in IT. He says this set schedule makes it easier to take classes.

All in all, both Jean’s strong work ethic and positive “care centers first” attitude were plain to see. He truly embodies Consulate’s third canon of integrity: “a positive can-do attitude, each and every day.” Jean receives frequent calls for assistance from executive directors and other care center administrators daily, but this doesn’t wear down his patience or friendly persona. With every request for help, before offering advice, Jean mentally enters the conversation with these basic and essential questions: What can I do to make your day better? What can I do to make your time with us better?

In Jean’s words: “I enjoy tackling the challenges that are presented on a daily basis, whether those be hardware related issues, or users just needing direction on routine procedures. Helping Consulate employees find the information that is needed puts a smile on my face.”

He said that if staff don’t have the equipment they need, then they can’t properly care for residents. In this way, his assistance streams down to the people who need it the most.

Similarly to how technology connects people and places near and far, Consulate IT fosters an attitude of connection, communication, and teamwork.

Luckily for Consulate patients and residents, integrity reigns strong throughout the company—and especially in IT. “Integrity ties into all of the core values. Without integrity, we cannot hold ourselves accountable for being passionate, honest, respectful, exemplifying compassion.Without integrity, you don’t have [the other values]. You have to hold yourself accountable. If you don’t, then you don’t really care if such and such facility doesn’t have a laptop, equipment, etc. I don’t think a day goes by that integrity isn’t being displayed working at the corporate headquarters,” Jean said.

Ultimately, Jean advises fellow IT professionals (and anyone who works with customers of all kinds) to distinguish between the things they can and can’t control. In other words: Don’t let one negative exchange with a customer ruin your day! He said it’s all “water under the bridge. . . Take it easy. Let it go.”

At the end of the day, whether good or bad, Jean eloquently stated: “Having a job is good, but working for a company that you can consider a career is a dream come true.”