The Internet and social media have ushered in new ways of doing business. But as with so many other aspects of running a medical office, health care is different from any other business when it comes to an online presence. The sanctity of the physician-patient relationship can often be at odds with the openness, anonymity, and wide accessibility of the Internet and social … [Read more...] about 4 big social media mistakes your practice must avoid
Managing staff
Model Tool: Certification table – health information management
Why you need this tool: Credentials serve as notification that you have acquired a certain level of knowledge and professional status. As such, they enhance your standing at your current job and your marketability should you seek a new position. How this tool helps you: You may already be eligible, or almost eligible, for health information management certifications. How to … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Certification table – health information management
Model Tool: Certification table – compliance
Why you need this tool: Credentials serve as notification that you have acquired a certain level of knowledge and professional status. As such, they enhance your standing at your current job and your marketability should you seek a new position. How this tool helps you: You may already be eligible, or almost eligible, for compliance certifications. How to use this tool: This … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Certification table – compliance
Terminating entry-level employees may cost you the most
By Steve M. Cohen bio I recently spoke with two different clients who were planning to terminate entry-level, relatively "inexpensive" people. I asked them what they meant, and each client indicated that the employee's annual salary was around $40,000. When I asked if they wanted my help structuring the exit of these two, they both considered that my services were … [Read more...] about Terminating entry-level employees may cost you the most
Some good explanations on the tough spots offices encounter with the FMLA
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) continues to pose a lot of questions for a lot of readers. Here are some Medical Office Manager has received plus some general information on the law. The answers are provided by Vanessa G. Nelson, SPHR, CLRL of Expert Human Resource Consultants in Flint, MI. The FMLA applies to offices with 50 or more employees and allows up to 12 … [Read more...] about Some good explanations on the tough spots offices encounter with the FMLA
Nurses’ work-related injuries and physical discomfort impact patient care
Findings of an independent survey conducted by Ergotron, a Nortek company that manufactures ergonomic workplace products, highlights many of the day-to-day difficulties nurses face with medical equipment, clinical workflow, electronic health records (EHRs), physical strain or injury and how these factors impact the delivery of quality patient care. Of note, 60 percent of nurses … [Read more...] about Nurses’ work-related injuries and physical discomfort impact patient care
Model Tool: 8 ways employee social networking can hurt your practice
Why you need this checklist: Social networking by employees can endanger your practice with liability issues and misinformation. How this checklist helps you: This list covers eight areas of danger created by employee social networking. How to use this checklist: Become aware of each of these eight danger areas so you can prevent liability issues and the spread of … [Read more...] about Model Tool: 8 ways employee social networking can hurt your practice
Health care field offers greatest workplace flexibility
The health care field tops the list of categories with the most work-at-home jobs, according to recent research conducted by FlexJobs, a leading online service for flexible and freelance employment opportunities. What’s more, medical coder, a position common at many practices, ranks No. 9 on FlexJobs’ list of the 20 most common work-from-home job titles. Indeed, telecommuting … [Read more...] about Health care field offers greatest workplace flexibility
Think twice before going to court
By Steve M. Cohen bio One of the most difficult challenges I face can be helping office managers and owners resist an urge to "fight it out" in court. There are times when it is necessary to take legal action or aggressively defend action against your organization. But in most cases, it should be your last resort. First, going to court is a roll of the dice. You may feel … [Read more...] about Think twice before going to court
If you have to terminate, do it right
By Steve M. Cohen bio Terminating an employee is not easy, but with a few missteps or bad luck, it can become a disaster. Workplace disruptions, lawsuits, and even violence can be byproducts of poorly executed terminations. Most business owners and managers move to dismiss employees for good reason, but the process is so full of potential for bad results that it deserves … [Read more...] about If you have to terminate, do it right