It's their job: Vicki Aguilar

Name: Vicki Aguilar

Job: Roosevelt County indigent administrator and loss prevention coordinator

Background: Aguilar grew up all over New Mexico and graduated from Portales High School and Eastern New Mexico University. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Time on job: 22 years

What does your job entail?: I help individuals out with their ambulance and hospital bills. And then for loss prevention, I put on training for the county employees. Right now on Wednesdays, we have a RAP program for the employees. It’s just a safety awareness program. And then sometimes when individuals need persons to translate, they come in and ask.

What is a typical day like for you?: Taking phone calls from persons that are wanting help with their bills, and of course, I get e-mails, and just processing claims.

Why did you choose this job?: Obviously, I’ve had it a long time. I started as a secretary and just moved up into this position. It’s very gratifying helping people who are worried about their hospital bills. It helps them sleep better, which in turn helps them heal better or at least gives them hope.

What training is needed for this job?: The Association of Counties puts on a conference that I attend. All the counties come and interact with one another and discuss our indigent programs, and we learn from one another. And if there’s a special training, we attend a fall and spring workshop. This is a complicated field. It’s always changing, so we need to keep on top of things.

What do you enjoy most about your job?: Once again, helping people with their bills, and knowing they have peace of mind at the end of the day, and knowing their bills are going to get paid.

— Compiled by PNT Senior Writer Argen Duncan