Posted by jhcnotary on 8/3/06 2:45pm
Msg #136843

Marketing Question

Does anyone have any input on the best method of marketing to hospitals, senior centers, retirement living, county social services etc.. ?? Who do I contact for notorial services in each location.. Pls. advise.

Thanks!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/3/06 3:14pm
Msg #136850

I always go to the administration offices and/or social services offices and check with the receptionist as to whom I should speak with.
Bringing a small treat to present with your card and/or flyer seems to invoke a better reception.

Reply by MichiganAl on 8/3/06 3:32pm
Msg #136860

I've had success with the admin office and receptionist.

A little schmoozing with the gatekeeper (aka receptionist) can be a gold mine. It's a classic method for getting your foot in the door. The accounting dept.? That's ridiculous.

Reply by Jahari Davis on 8/3/06 3:15pm
Msg #136852

I'd start with maybe a Patient Support Services or maybe the Accounting departmenet.

Reply by Kate/CA on 8/3/06 4:15pm
Msg #136866

You may want to check with the Omsbudsman in hospitals and rest homes before notarizing documents. Some of them have rules as what can and cannot be notarized by the patients.
I live two miles from a hospital and I get lots of calls. I always get the notarization request O.K.'d with the Omsbudsman, most regular patients there isn't a problem. The reason being is that alot of the patients in the assisted living cannot afford the care, the states puts a lein on their property. Their kids/sometimes even the spouse come in and want mom or dad to give them a Grant Deed. The state steps in, one big mess and we end up in court as witness/party to the kids ploy to get the property. Even after you check and explain why you can't do it, they will still try to get you to do it. Ask ahead of time to see if the person has ID.

I don't solicit the work. Most of the time the paper work is not filled out even when it is O.K. to sign. Even after you explain, you can not help them fill out the document and it needs to be done ahead of time, it isn't.

Good Luck

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/4/06 5:55pm
Msg #137176

All excellent points. You're also more likely to get into situations with people with expired ID. When they can't drive anymore, many people don't think about getting a state-issued ID card. This would be the classic example of appropriate use of credible witnesses [I'm talking CA here], but they may not be available to someone who is in a care facility.

Also be prepared to deal with people on medications and in various degrees of alertness and/or competency. It can be a real hornet's nest for a notary. (Be doggone sure you know your notary law inside and out before you go to do this kind of a notarization!)

BTW, these comments are intended in general, not to you Kate, except for the first sentence... ;>

Reply by jhcnotary on 8/3/06 4:44pm
Msg #136872

thanks for the input,all. Kate, mm. never heard of the omsbudsman, not sure if it the same as administrater, but I will ask. What part of Ca. are you in??

Reply by Kate/CA on 8/3/06 4:57pm
Msg #136877

Kern Co. My father in law was in a Rehab in LA Co.(broke his hip) and also an assisted living (found out he had lung cancer) down there. They had the Omsbudsman in both places down there also.

Reply by Kate/CA on 8/3/06 5:01pm
Msg #136879

The Omsbudsman is there to look out for the interest of the patient, but to make sure things are done legally. Some hosipitals have them, sometimes they are with the county. This is a different position than the administrator of the hosipital.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 8/3/06 10:11pm
Msg #136972

I am the hospital notary....

....here in Alabama and I also work in the Administrative Office. I would say for hospitals target Administration. Some of the documents that I notarize require a witness and the hospital staff where I work are not allowed to witness. That has caused delays on occasion waiting for the witness to arrive. My recommendation to you would be to contact administration, and emphasize how quickly you can respond to requests made by patients and their family members. If you have any medical experience that might be helpful as to reassure administration that you you know enough to stay out of the way of the caregivers when they're in the room doing treatments. Good luck!