A recent survey on employment background checks finds the vast majority of Americans supports and expects employers to conduct regular background checks on prospective employees. Of additional importance to medical office managers is that the number one place Americans expect to feel safe is their doctor's office. Some key takeaways from the survey include: 95 percent … [Read more...] about Study finds overwhelming support for employment background checks
Managing staff
Paid time off can be anything under the sun, even unlimited vacation
Time off isn’t required by law, “but it’s so commonplace that employees expect it,” says Vanessa G. Nelson, SPHR, CLRL, president of the human resources consulting firm Expert Human Resources in Flint, MI. And for employee morale and retention it’s a necessity. How the office sets up its time off policy is its own business, says Nelson. However, there are a lot of elements it … [Read more...] about Paid time off can be anything under the sun, even unlimited vacation
Your personal social media posts: are they really personal?
A Vermont State Police trooper was recently forced to resign as a result of comments he posted to his personal Facebook page. Could this happen to you or a member of your staff? The story in Vermont An unidentified concerned citizen notified the Vermont State Police about the trooper's Facebook posts, according to the Rutland Herald, and the agency proceeded to … [Read more...] about Your personal social media posts: are they really personal?
Do you have a practice bully?
By Lynne Curry bio At first you hear rumblings, and then they turn into a rockslide. If you have a practice bully, a domineering charge nurse, an it's-all-about-me IT manager or a physician so aware of the dollars he brings to your clinic that he could not care less about those he rides roughshod over, you've got a problem. What happens if you don't address a … [Read more...] about Do you have a practice bully?
$900 million in false billing results in charges against medical practices throughout the U.S.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell have announced an unprecedented nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 36 federal districts, resulting in criminal and civil charges against 301 individuals, including 61 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for their … [Read more...] about $900 million in false billing results in charges against medical practices throughout the U.S.
What we have here should never be a failure to communicate
By Steve M. Cohen bio I may be showing my age, but it's likely you've at least heard the line from "Cool Hand Luke": "What we have here is a failure to communicate." A prison boss first uses the phrase, then the hero, Luke, repeats it at the end of the film. Moments later, Luke is killed in dramatic Hollywood fashion. If you need to update this mentally, picture … [Read more...] about What we have here should never be a failure to communicate
Avoid these 5 deadly personality traits when hiring staff
Just as important as being able to do the work and being willing to do the work is having a personality that fits the job. Five traits can spell disaster in medical office staffing. Those five traits can cause severe friction within the staff. They can stymie the work. And they can undermine the manager. Here's a definition of each plus the detection questions to ask and … [Read more...] about Avoid these 5 deadly personality traits when hiring staff
Can’t they just get along?
By Lynne Curry bio We think personality clashes are inevitable. But are they? After 36 years spent unraveling people dynamics in the workplace, I've learned that while we give lip service to the idea others do things differently than us, we continue to hope that if they would instead do things the right way, our way, everything would run smoother. It helps to realize … [Read more...] about Can’t they just get along?
Are you stifling your staff’s enthusiasm?
Many articles have been written about motivating staff. Medical Office Manager has published many of these, which are usually how-to articles, aimed at increasing productivity. These pieces often share tried-and-true ways to engage employees more fully. Sometimes rewards and recognition are the hooks for motivation and greater engagement. Such techniques work, and can … [Read more...] about Are you stifling your staff’s enthusiasm?
Employee conflict: fighters vs. flighters
By Steve M. Cohen bio It's solid management to address the internal climate of your medical office. No doubt, you are aware of this and have put time and effort into teambuilding, empowering, and creating a positive climate for your office staff. It's important to you, and it's important to your staff. So, why are people fighting on occasion or even more … [Read more...] about Employee conflict: fighters vs. flighters