Are you looking to make a move along your career path? Here are six directions a medical office manager can go, often within the same practice or healthcare organization: Practice administrator: A promotion to the role of practice administrator involves overseeing the overall operations and management of a healthcare practice. This position offers a broader scope of … [Read more...] about Navigating career growth: 6 advancement opportunities for medical office managers
Risk management
Don’t delay if you have to deliver bad news
By Lynne Curry “It’s not the difficult conversations that bite you the hardest,” I told the manager. “It’s the ones you put off until too late.” I listened to the manager’s reasons and told him, “Here are the risks you take. You dread telling ‘Robert’ what and how he needs to improve because he lashes out at you and remains sullen for days after you’ve counseled him. You … [Read more...] about Don’t delay if you have to deliver bad news
Model Policy: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
All medical practices need infection control policies and procedures. And with regard to one particular form of infection— bloodborne pathogens that get into the bloodstream via puncture or piercing by contaminated needles or other medical sharps— QA measures must include a specific exposure control policy that meets the requirements of the federal workplace safety law called … [Read more...] about Model Policy: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
Everybody needs a break from work
You understand the importance of keeping your staff productive and efficient. However, it’s also important to recognize the role that breaks play in achieving these goals. For both you and your staff, it’s tempting to continue powering through day after day without taking scheduled breaks and lunch periods. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of taking breaks and how … [Read more...] about Everybody needs a break from work
Workplace active shooter: Run, hide, fight
By Lynne Curry It’s not your imagination. There are more incidents of violence across our country than ever before. It doesn’t matter where you live. Nor that you don’t believe it could happen in your town, your workplace or at your kids’ school. You’ve seen the news reports. The violence in workplaces including healthcare settings, schools, restaurants, train … [Read more...] about Workplace active shooter: Run, hide, fight
10 tips for winter safety in your office parking lot
As extreme winter conditions continue in many parts of the country, remember to have your office parking lot maintained for the safety of your employees and patients. Here are some tips for promoting safety in your office parking lot this winter and being better prepared for future winters: Clear the parking lot of snow and ice regularly to improve traction and reduce the … [Read more...] about 10 tips for winter safety in your office parking lot
Are there guns in your workplace?
By Lynne Curry If you think the national division over guns hasn’t hit your workplace, you haven’t been listening. Not only are the employees who advocate for increased gun control, including a ban on assault-style rifles like the AR-15, engaged in an active argument with those who argue for fewer restrictions on gun owners’ ability to carry concealed firearms—but some of … [Read more...] about Are there guns in your workplace?
Signs of potential disaster were present at Walmart—Are they at your workplace?
By Lynne Curry There were signs of potential disaster that later erupted in six deaths when Walmart supervisor Andre Bing shot and killed six coworkers in November. There always are. Four decades of investigating violent workplace incidents have convinced me of this. “I didn’t want to say anything,” someone always says, “but….” “That was just ‘Jon,’ but we all sort of knew … [Read more...] about Signs of potential disaster were present at Walmart—Are they at your workplace?
What to do when an employee uses FMLA to cover drinking
By Lynne Curry Question: We suspect one of our employees of using intermittent FMLA leave to cover her abuse of alcohol. We see a clear pattern. She takes leave two to three Mondays a month. Prior to her requesting FMLA leave, she claimed occasional sick days on Mondays. Other employees have noticed her leaving early on Fridays as well. With this fact pattern and given the … [Read more...] about What to do when an employee uses FMLA to cover drinking
7 strategies for firing without backfiring
By Lynne Curry The final revenge of the difficult, fired employee. You’ve hesitated to fire him, you’ve given him chance after chance, but he’s not getting better. In fact, he’s getting worse, and so is the situation. You owe it to your other employees, who consider this employee toxic or carry his shirked workload burden, to bless this employee out the door. Unfortunately, … [Read more...] about 7 strategies for firing without backfiring