Is clutter slowing down productivity in your practice? Clutter is a major distraction and eats up time, says Pat Heydlauff of Energy Design, a productive-focused environment company. "Nobody can concentrate or work efficiently amidst disorganization," she says, pointing out that getting rid of office clutter can significantly improve the atmosphere and speed up the work … [Read more...] about How to stage your office for improved productivity
Managing staff
How to painlessly review a staffer with poor performance
Perhaps the most difficult part of being a manager is the job of pointing out what a staffer is doing wrong. No manager enjoys the confrontation. Yet unconfronted, poor performance worsens. Here's an outline of how to take on that most unpleasant job. It's explained by JoAn Majors, a Caldwell, TX, speaker on people skills. Majors is also author of the book, … [Read more...] about How to painlessly review a staffer with poor performance
Is your waiting room costing you money?
How would patients rate your medical practice's reception area? Is it cold and clinical, or warm and welcoming? The waiting room is where new patients form early impressions of your practice – and, like it or not, these impressions influence their perception of the medical care they receive. Patient experience is a primary reason medical practices are investing in office … [Read more...] about Is your waiting room costing you money?
Role-playing turns front and back office staff into one team
When there's a people issue, especially when the front desk butts heads with the nursing staff, the manager of a Virginia family medicine group office brings it to light via role playing at a staff meeting. Afterwards, staff not only come up with a solution, but also draft and sign a commitment to follow it. The manager organizes the role playing three or four times a year, … [Read more...] about Role-playing turns front and back office staff into one team
Resolving employee conflict
Q: Two members of my staff don't get along with each other—at all. The constant bickering and other childish behavior have me at my wit's end. Sometimes I feel like I'm an elementary school teacher as opposed to a manager. This isn't what I signed on for, and it's really affecting my attitude toward the job. Any suggestions you can offer will be appreciated. A: Employee … [Read more...] about Resolving employee conflict
10 essential tips for new managers
New managers face a number of challenges, but which challenge is the most daunting? According to a recent survey, the most difficult part of becoming a manager is balancing individual responsibilities with time spent overseeing staff. Supervising friends or former peers ranked as the second greatest concern. The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources and … [Read more...] about 10 essential tips for new managers
What are you doing for MARWeek?
We hope this won't come as a surprise to you, but next week is the third full week in October, which means that it's Medical Assistants Recognition Week. (MARWeek), with Wednesday (October 17) being the big day: Medical Assistant Recognition Day. Organized by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the objective of MARWeek is to recognize the invaluable … [Read more...] about What are you doing for MARWeek?
Patient collections ‘bonus incentive’ program increases patient payments and staff pay
An Indiana practice recently established a bonus incentive program for its support staff that has been a huge help to patient collections. "I had managed an office prior to joining this practice where I was able to track patient collections percentages each day," Leanne Craig, office manager at Hendricks Therapy, tells Medical Office Manager. "I had a report within our … [Read more...] about Patient collections ‘bonus incentive’ program increases patient payments and staff pay
Not enough time in the day? Here are four good ways to find new minutes
When responding to Medical Office Manager's readers' survey, many managers said the most difficult part of their job is finding time to get all the work done. So here are four good time management recommendations from workflow advisor Jason Womack of Ojai, CA, author of "Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More." These recommendations cover … [Read more...] about Not enough time in the day? Here are four good ways to find new minutes
The four aces of hiring: work attitude, willingness, know-how, and personality
To choose the right job candidate, look beyond the hard skills of education and experience and place heaviest emphasis on four soft skills. They are: the performance mindset willingness know-how personality Miss any of those four, and the hire is going to be a disaster, says business consultant, trainer, and coach Patrick Valtin, author of the book,"No-Fail Hiring." It's … [Read more...] about The four aces of hiring: work attitude, willingness, know-how, and personality