Medical Office Manager

Managing staff

Doesn’t work well with others: study finds ‘team avoiders’ may have valid concerns

When a company advertises for an open position, it's not uncommon to see the words "must be a team player." "Team player" is a hot HR term, even in jobs where employees actually spend most of their time working alone with only a smattering of group projects. Unfortunately, the need for team players has sometimes also become a lazy justification for choosing not to hire … [Read more...] about Doesn’t work well with others: study finds ‘team avoiders’ may have valid concerns

Accountability is a two-way street for medical office managers

By Steve M. Cohen  bio One pitfall that's tough to avoid is human nature. Call it psychology or individual weakness, it almost always comes down to traps that you should avoid. One of the easiest things to stumble over involves seemingly straightforward missteps that can have an office manager labeled "hypocritical." Seldom is this more on display than in areas … [Read more...] about Accountability is a two-way street for medical office managers

Making tough decisions: reward good employees by removing bad ones

By Steve M. Cohen  bio I'm sure you've seen advice regarding employee bonus and incentive systems, including some that are quite complex. The idea is that, to achieve a high-performance workplace, you need to motivate employees and achieve maximum efficiency. None of this is wrong, but I often suggest another strategy that surprises a lot of people: just get rid … [Read more...] about Making tough decisions: reward good employees by removing bad ones

Three kinds of irritating staffers and how to deal with them amicably

The worst part of any manager’s job is dealing with problem behavior. And that’s the very part of the job that can never be ignored, says Cathleen C. Snyder, SPHR, senior human resources consultant with Strategic HR Inc., a Cincinnati human resources consulting and outsourcing firm. Allow the behavior to continue, and besides the fact that it’s a pain to live with, the other … [Read more...] about Three kinds of irritating staffers and how to deal with them amicably

Keep your medical office humming by keeping employees engaged

By Steve M. Cohen  bio Every organization faces management issues that, if ignored, can be perilous. A recent story told of a suburban bank that lost a huge chunk of its staff when some 35 employees left within a single week. Without knowing the details, it's impossible to guess the causes. But it's very likely this business suffered fundamental organizational … [Read more...] about Keep your medical office humming by keeping employees engaged

The ADA and mental illness, medications, suicide, alcoholism, and threats

Mental disorders, threats of suicide, medication side effects, addiction—they create some confusing issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here are some points managers need to know about the ADA and disciplining, firing, and hiring staff who come under these umbrellas. They are outlined by employment law attorney Myra K. Creighton of Fisher & Phillips in … [Read more...] about The ADA and mental illness, medications, suicide, alcoholism, and threats

OSHA addresses employer responsibility regarding transgender workers

The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration released a guideline June 1, 2015 addressing workplace restrooms and access for transgender workers. The "Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers" (Guide) addresses an employer's responsibility under OSHA standards to provide transgender workers access to sanitary toilet facilities. "The … [Read more...] about OSHA addresses employer responsibility regarding transgender workers

Being mean and being effective are not the same thing

By Steve M. Cohen  bio The New York Times had a great article June 19, 2015, "No Time to Be Nice at Work." Author Christine Porath is on target regarding several significant concerns that are especially relevant today. One of the first things that struck me was her points that incivility has been growing, and that it definitely has costs. Porath joins others in … [Read more...] about Being mean and being effective are not the same thing

How to handle “emergency” appointment requests that really aren’t emergencies

Does your practice seem to be getting a lot of emergency appointment requests lately? If so, you’re not alone. Patients are under the impression that if they say they have an emergency, they will get the earliest possible appointment. Obviously, all these emergencies present challenges. There are only so many emergency appointment openings, which means you or someone on … [Read more...] about How to handle “emergency” appointment requests that really aren’t emergencies