4 Best Practices for Better Medical Office Management

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An efficiently run medical office provides great care to patients and keeps its staff informed and involved in important decisions. Whether you currently work in one or are planning a career that will take you there, understanding the best medical office management practices will make you an important asset to the healthcare team. Here are the 4 best practices for better medical office management.

  1. Know Everyone’s Job Functions in the Medical Office

Every job function contributes to the smooth operation of a great medical practice. It doesn’t matter if it’s the doctor in charge, the medical assistant who takes vitals or the receptionist who answers phones and greets patients; they all are important. If you want to help ensure everything gets done and done well, you need to know what everyone does and the role they play. This will help you help them! It will also allow you to stay focused on your own day-to-day responsibilities.

  1. Foster Mutual Respect Throughout the Medical Office

The best medical practices are those where mutual respect is a top priority. That means that you respect one another as you work together, and it absolutely means you respect your patients and their families. In fact, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) rules require you to respect your patients’ confidentiality, among other considerations. So it’s not just good practice; it’s the law!

  1. Communicate Clearly

Good communication is more than just talking and listening. It is all about mutual respect and understanding between staff and management. Whether you speak to someone face-to-face, on the phone, or through email, make sure what you say and do is clear. Listen attentively to instructions and don’t be afraid to ask questions and take notes. Pay attention to the details.  Your patients can also be a terrific resource for insight on office operations because they know all about the service you provide, how it measures up, and where there might be room for improvement. From time to time, ask them how you’re doing; taking feedback from the patients you are serving is a great way to learn and improve.

  1. Be a Healthcare Leader

Even if you’re not running the whole office, you can show initiative and lead from wherever you are. Take constructive feedback, look for efficiencies, adopt good ideas—and share all you know. You can be an advocate for positive change within your healthcare office community by letting people know what you know and suggesting ideas for just a few small changes. Your employer will appreciate how much you care and that you’re willing to do what’s best for the practice and your patients.

You need some solid skills to be a good healthcare manager and a steady eye on the practices that work well in the healthcare environment. You also need training on how everything operates. At Charter College, our online Health Care Administration degree completion program can prepare you an entry level career in as little as 14 months. Find out more today.