There's good information to be had from a staffer who's leaving. Here are a few rules to follow and a few questions to ask. Two minutes before the exit Do the interviewing just as the staffer is ready to walk out the door. That means late afternoon of the last day. The 11th-hour timing ensures that whatever negative remarks the staffer makes won't carry repercussion. … [Read more...] about “Why are you leaving us?” 5 key questions to ask staffers who resign
Managing staff
21 easy ways to boost practice profitability fast
Simple changes to billing procedures, hiring policies, purchasing, patient relations, and other daily activities can have a positive impact on your practice's bottom line. Here are 21 ways you can quickly boost practice profitability. 1. Name a reimbursement coordinator To get all the reimbursement possible, hire or appoint someone to be a reimbursement coordinator. It … [Read more...] about 21 easy ways to boost practice profitability fast
18 great ideas to make you a better manager
Here are 18 good ideas that can be of value to any manager. 1 Reduce the interruptions. During busy times, move the chair around so your back is to the door. People hesitate to interrupt when they can’t make immediate eye contact with the manager. Stand up when people come in and stay standing. As long as the manager is standing, the visitor won’t start up a long … [Read more...] about 18 great ideas to make you a better manager
What it takes for a good manager to be a good leader
A good manager is often synonymous with being a good leader, but it's important to recognize that while there is overlap between the two roles, they are not identical. A manager typically has responsibilities related to organizing, planning, and controlling processes and resources to achieve specific goals. On the other hand, a leader focuses on inspiring, motivating, and … [Read more...] about What it takes for a good manager to be a good leader
Why your medical practice needs job descriptions
Small businesses, including medical practices, often try to get by without formal job descriptions. The thinking is the manager knows what each position requires, and she or he can share this information with job candidates and new hires. Another argument is that because job tasks tend to change, job descriptions quickly become outdated. Neither of these arguments takes … [Read more...] about Why your medical practice needs job descriptions
8 proven ways to totally destroy your credibility as a manager
A manager can have great knowledge and great skills, but without credibility with both doctors and staff, don't expect success. What is credibility? It can be defined as "what we do and how we do it that causes others to respect and believe us." The "what-we-do" is the tangible things – the work and its results. The "how-we-do-it" is the behavior that demonstrates a person's … [Read more...] about 8 proven ways to totally destroy your credibility as a manager
What to do when your doctor becomes a patient
Their role as healers makes it easy to forget physicians are subject to the same illnesses that befall other humans. They are not invincible, even though their silence about their own health might lead staff and patients to believe otherwise. Physician illness is a topic that's not often discussed, even within the physician community. When physicians do broach the subject, … [Read more...] about What to do when your doctor becomes a patient
COMPLIANCE: A 10-step compliance strategy for OSHA Recordkeeping Rules
January is the season when employers must compile their OSHA logs for the previous year. Here’s an overview of the OSHA Recordkeeping Standard and a 10-step strategy to ensure compliance. Step 1: Figure out if your office is covered Physician offices are among the industries listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as being partially exempt from the … [Read more...] about COMPLIANCE: A 10-step compliance strategy for OSHA Recordkeeping Rules
Employee morale and your practice’s productivity: 5 easy ways to boost both
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Employees' attitudes have changed over the years. Good, loyal employees want more than a paycheck and health benefits. Studies have shown that compensation does not even rate in the top 5 of what makes an employee happy with their job. I believe happy employees are productive employees and anyone who believes otherwise is overlooking the … [Read more...] about Employee morale and your practice’s productivity: 5 easy ways to boost both
Research report: Recognition good for engagement and beating burnout
New research show four practical steps organizations can take to improve culture through the power of recognition. Workhuman and Gallup have released a report, Empowering Workplace Culture Through Recognition, which examines the significance of recognition in the workplace as both a foundational element and a catalyst for organizational culture. Employees who strongly agree … [Read more...] about Research report: Recognition good for engagement and beating burnout