Medical Office Manager

Managing staff

Model Policy: Computer use and social networking

Why you need this policy: The law governing your right to discipline employees for the things they say on blogs and social networks is still in its infancy stages. But even from the early cases, it has become clear that online conversations are not simply private matters. There’s a big difference between bad-mouthing a company, supervisor or colleague to a friend over coffee … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Computer use and social networking

The 8 best management tips from our readers

Managing the people with their problems and personalities is the most formidable part of a medical office manager's job. So here for our readers is a long list of ways to make the job easier. They come from the many consultants and managers MOM has talked with over the years. 1 Hiring the right people Interview tactics Before hiring a job applicant, look carefully at two … [Read more...] about The 8 best management tips from our readers

Government fines present real threat for medical practices

By Steve M. Cohen  bio I've been told I sometimes sound suspicious of government agencies. But consider this: Most state human rights commissions and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) get some of their money to operate from the fines and penalties they issue against employers. Every week, state and federal organizations slap businesses … [Read more...] about Government fines present real threat for medical practices

Workplace issues complicated by combinations

By Dr. Steve M. Cohen The challenge of government regulation for owners and managers is tough enough, but it can often be increased when multiple issues are overlaid to create something even worse. I had a client who faced a good example. The office had an employee who was personally offensive. Combined with his poor hygiene, he was often inappropriate and even creepy. Not … [Read more...] about Workplace issues complicated by combinations

Medical coder salaries on the rise

Salaries for certified medical coding professionals increased an average of 8.4 percent in 2014, according to an annual salary survey conducted by AAPC, a leading training and credentialing association for healthcare business professionals. Certified medical coder salaries rose to an average of $50,775 annually. Other highlights from the 2014 survey include: … [Read more...] about Medical coder salaries on the rise

A less stressful medical office job

If you have a detail-oriented staff member who is looking for a career change, you might want to groom her or him for a job as a medical records technician. A side benefit of the job is that it has made the List of the 10 Least Stressful Jobs for 2015, as identified by job search career portal CareerCast. In fact, it's No. 4 on the list.   CareerCast's Least … [Read more...] about A less stressful medical office job

Whistleblowers have more protection than you think

By Steve M. Cohen  bio If you remember Edward Snowden, you might think that being a whistleblower is not a good thing. Snowden revealed a secret U.S. surveillance program that allegedly spied on U.S. citizens. After his revelations were made public, Snowden applied for political asylum in more than a dozen countries, seeking safety from espionage charges in the … [Read more...] about Whistleblowers have more protection than you think

The demise of sexual harassment: don’t bet on it

By Steve M. Cohen  bio With issues such as bullying and workplace violence making the headlines, it might seem as if sexual harassment is no longer a major workplace issue. Don't bet on it. Sexual harassment continues to exist, and it's going to be a major workplace issue for as long as people are people. That's not to excuse insensitive or outright aggressive behavior, but … [Read more...] about The demise of sexual harassment: don’t bet on it

Human rights: the scoop on state and federal monitoring

By Steve M. Cohen  bio Office managers can be excused for pulling their hair over government regulations, but here are some you shouldn't overlook. Every state has a human rights commission that is tasked with investigating charges made by employees against their employers in issues of fairness. The federal government has its own human rights commission that … [Read more...] about Human rights: the scoop on state and federal monitoring