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WORKPLACE WELLNESS

7 ways to support mental health in your office

May 9, 2023 by

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time to devote some thought to how you can support mental health in your office. Here are some ideas for advancing mental health in the workplace: Encourage open communication: Encourage your employees to speak openly about their mental health and provide a safe space for them to do so. Encourage managers to be approachable and understanding, and provide training on how to handle these conversations. Promote work-life balance: Encourage your employees to take breaks and disconnect from work when they need to. Promote flexible working hours, so employees can balance their work and personal life. Provide resources: Provide resources and tools to help employees cope with mental health issues. These could include access to counseling services, employee assistance programs, or mental health… . . . read more.

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YOUR CAREER

Snappy comebacks WHEN you need them

April 27, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry The snappy comeback you wish you’d had when “Jim” sniped at you in the meeting, and you sat frozen and speechless. The silencing comment you wish you’d given “Brenda” when you walked past the break room and you heard her dissing you. Why don’t those comebacks arrive when you need them? Here’s why… When you experience a verbal attack or another threat, your habitual neural pathways get tripped. Your body moves into high-alert survival mode. Your body tenses and heart rate speeds up; you breathe rapidly and shallowly. You feel flushed or sweaty; turn white or red; and may feel nauseated or a knot in your stomach. The solution? Pause and breathe. By pausing and slowing your breathing, you activate your parasympathetic system, slow down your heartbeat,… . . . read more.

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YOUR CAREER

5 learning paths to advance your medical office management career

April 19, 2023 by

Are you looking to advance your career in healthcare management? Maybe more education is the answer. Here are six educational avenues to consider: 1 Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration provides a strong foundation in healthcare management principles, policies, and regulations. 2 Master’s degree in healthcare administration A Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration can provide advanced training in areas such as healthcare finance, strategic planning, and health information technology. 3 Professional certification Professional certification through organizations such as the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management (PAHCOM) or the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) demonstrates a commitment to professional development and can help enhance a medical office manager’s skills and knowledge. 4 Continuing education Participating in continuing education programs, seminars, and conferences can… . . . read more.

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TELEWORK

The nomadic remote employee: Employee dream, employer nightmare

April 11, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry Question: Several of our employees regularly travel out of state. Before the pandemic, they took vacations for several days or weeks. They and we understood they were on vacation. The situation was clear cut. Our current team includes three employees who want to travel and stay for weeks or even months, in places like Hawaii and Thailand or with relatives. While they insist they can work and should receive full paychecks, this doesn’t seem fair to the rest of us who remain onsite and have to pick up the pieces when our “travelers” can’t be easily reached. We agree they can get some work done, but have no way of knowing if they’re putting in 40 hours a week. We tried to explain how messy this felt… . . . read more.

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TIME MANAGEMENT

Try the Pomodoro technique to focus on big projects

March 24, 2023 by

As a busy office administrator, you are constantly juggling multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities. It can be easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you are not making progress on anything. When you need to focus on a large project such as monthly financials, reviewing job applications, implementing new software or other jobs that take time and concentration, try closing your door for a couple of hours and giving the big project your full attention. That’s where the Pomodoro technique comes in. This time management method can help you focus your attention and make the most of your time. The Pomodoro technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The method is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used to time his work sessions. The basic… . . . read more.

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PURCHASING

9 things to know about billing software

March 21, 2023 by

The large majority of medical offices use billing software. If you haven’t made the leap to billing software yet, or if you are shopping for a new software vendor, here are things to know. With billing software, you can automate the entire billing process, from sending out invoices to processing payments. This can save you a lot of time and reduce the risk of errors. This starts with shopping for medical billing software. s a medical office manager, there are important factors to consider before purchasing medical billing software. To choose the best software for your small practice, consider the following factors: Budget: Determine your monthly and annual budget for the software and whether you prefer a monthly or annual payment structure. Practice Management Software: Decide if a comprehensive practice… . . . read more.

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WORKPLACE WELLNESS

Everybody needs a break from work

March 4, 2023 by

You understand the importance of keeping your staff productive and efficient. However, it’s also important to recognize the role that breaks play in achieving these goals. For both you and your staff, it’s tempting to continue powering through day after day without taking scheduled breaks and lunch periods. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of taking breaks and how you can encourage your staff to take them. Benefits of Taking Breaks Improved Productivity: Studies have shown that taking regular breaks can actually improve productivity. When we work for extended periods without taking a break, our focus and attention begin to wane, and we become more susceptible to distractions. By taking a break, we give our minds a chance to rest and recharge, making us more productive when we return to… . . . read more.

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MANAGING PATIENTS

7 good reasons to use online scheduling

February 28, 2023 by

Still on the fence about using online scheduling in your medical office? Consider these advantages to an online scheduling system: Increased convenience: Patients can easily book appointments online 24/7, without having to call the office during business hours. Improved efficiency: Automated scheduling reduces the need for manual scheduling, minimizing the risk of errors and freeing up staff time for other tasks. Better patient experience: Patients can easily view available appointment times and select the one that works best for them, reducing wait times and improving the overall patient experience. Real-time scheduling: Online scheduling systems offer real-time updates, ensuring that everyone is working with the most current information. Accessibility: An online scheduling system can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it easy for patients to book appointments… . . . read more.

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MANAGING STAFF

6 ways to dodge the dreaded performance review

February 21, 2023 by

Performance reviews: You don’t like to do them, employees dread them and they may not be all that effective in improving work behavior. Here are five alternatives to an annual performance review. Regular feedback sessions: Instead of a once-a-year review, schedule regular feedback sessions throughout the year to discuss performance and provide feedback. These sessions could be bi-monthly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the needs of the medical office. 360-degree feedback: 360-degree feedback involves gathering feedback from various sources, including managers, colleagues and physicians, to provide a more comprehensive view of an employee’s performance. This type of feedback can be gathered throughout the year and used to inform development plans. Goal setting and tracking: Set goals with employees and regularly track progress toward achieving those goals. This approach helps employees… . . . read more.

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MANAGING STAFF

Partnering: Reset your relationship with your employees

February 20, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry You want your employees to work harder. They seem to expect a medal for what they’re already doing. You want your employees to feel happy about returning to the office. They don’t. They’d prefer to work remote. You handed out raises and expected your employees to thank you. Your employees reminded you their wages, even with the raises, haven’t kept pace with inflation. This disconnect may be so extreme that you can’t find enough employees willing to work for what you’re paying them. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, many employers have left jobs unfilled because they can’t afford to pay employees the wages employees demand. If you’re a manager or business owner struggling with the gulf between employee expectations and employer needs, here’s what… . . . read more.

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