On the rise at Indigo
“It doesn't feel like a job. It feels like family.”
Ashley Kochel joined MultiCare Health System in 2012. She's been on the upward move ever since.
After graduating as a medical assistant, Kochel began her health care career as an appointment scheduler. She moved from the call center to a job in pediatric ortho/general surgery scheduling and eventually worked her way up to medical assistant at MultiCare Family Medicine Center in Tacoma. Today, she's helping manage patients, staff and a whole lot more as ambassador on duty at Tumwater Indigo Health.
Short commute, big challenges
After purchasing a home in Tumwater in 2020, Kochel soon realized the long daily commute to and from Tacoma was too much for her and her family. She was pleased to find a medical assistant clinical concierge position at Tumwater Indigo Health working closely with patients, physicians and staff.
But job moves can be stressful. Especially when your job is in an urgent care clinic during a global pandemic. Kochel and her fellow front-line healthcare workers were on the job day in and day out, providing fast and friendly care amid changing COVID-19 protocols, testing demands, staffing challenges and rising patient visits.
“Where do I even begin,” she said. “It was scary, tiring, exhausting and often inspiring. There were definitely a lot of tears.”
Ready for anything
Tears aside, Kochel embraced her role and was ready for more. Her recent promotion to the ambassador on duty makes her the go-to person for all things Indigo. She trains staff, helps refine supply and labor budgets, orders clinic supplies, helps ensure patient visits are timely and efficient, supervises operations when the clinic manager isn't available, and more.
“I really enjoy the responsibility that comes with my job,” she said. “I take great pride in being there to support my coworkers and the clinic when and where it's needed.”
And in the fast-paced and sometimes unexpected world of urgent care, those needs can be plentiful and wide-ranging.
Kochel has found her experience at Indigo much different than her work as a medical assistant in a primary care clinic, where providers and staff always knew who and what was coming through the door—and when.
“That's not the case in urgent care,” she said. “We need to be prepared for anything at any time.”
Kochel credits the clinic's support staff for always being on top of things to ensure each Indigo patient visit is quick, efficient, and an excellent service experience.
More time for what matters most
Working close to home means Kochel has less time behind the wheel of her car and more hours for the things she loves, including family time, painting and tackling DIY projects. She also enjoys scouting out Tumwater's restaurant scene. (Insider tip: Try the fish tacos at La Patrona.)
When she really wants to leave behind the hustle and bustle of urgent care, you're likely to find Kochel in the great outdoors hiking, walking or simply enjoying the view. Tumwater Falls is one of her favorite spots. “It's such a restful place to clear your head,” she said.
Fun fact: Kochel is an ace bowler and has won a few tournaments.
