Delaware County Medicine & Health Spring 2017 - 31

JILL'S TIMELESS TIDBITS

MEDICAL PRACTICE
MANAGEMENT

Jill's Timeless Tidbits

Creative ways to foster comaraderie and teambuilding
with your office staff or family and friends.

hen you go on trips how do you 'map it out'? If
it is a road trip some of us pick the shortest route
while others prefer a longer scenic route. Some
want to stay on major highways as much as possible and some
try to avoid tolls and mostly use back roads. On your trip do
you plan stops along the way to maximize your travel experience? Do you stray from a direct route to visit family or a
friend or local attraction?
Each of us may prefer a different form of directions. We can
use old fashioned maps; print out computerized directions;
or use automated navigation systems. The same type of
choices hold true in our professional world. How are you
mapping out your practice management tasks and goals? Is
your management style straight and to the point or do you
in-depthly explain things? Are you prepared if you encounter
an unexpected road closure and find yourself needing a
detour? Does your task list need an overhaul? Does it
need to be updated frequently to meet the ever changing
governmental changes in rules and regulations? Do you
keep organized via sheets of paper or use thousands of
sticky notes or maybe you capture your tasks electronically?
So many questions and with many variances, step back
and see what is working best and what needs a change!
Take time to review and map it out in your office.
Here are some things to consider touching on: Improving
your financial metrics for practice profitability; patient
satisfaction and understanding patient behavior; expanding
roles in your office and how it impacts reimbursement;
recruiting and retaining the right employees; motivating
and increasing productivity and job satisfaction;
population health and how it affects you; are your
leadership skills strong or do they need to be polished.
Make your to-do list visually pleasing and
not just a flat list with basic text.

Jill Venskytis, CMM, HITCM-PP
Practice Administrator
Drexel Hill Pediatric Associates
DCMS Board Member
President of the Delco PAHCOM Chapter
with too many delegated tasks. Re-evaluate if you are
holding true to your practices vision statement. Make sure
your handbook is modernized to meet the changes your
practice has undergone since its last update. Make sure your
team is well trained and top performing. Consider if you
cannot accomplish a task because the goal was not clear.
Don't let your journey be blurry; give it some clarity.
Use your professional organization resources
(like PAHCOM and the Delaware County Medical
Society); use your network of professionals; believe
in yourself and your skills. Don't forget to reward
yourself when reaching your milestones!
Silly Jill tips:
When on a road trip we encounter road signs and mile
markers to show what road we are on or exits we are
approaching. We also see other signs like Buckle up and
hang up; Don't text and drive; Maintain a safe distance;
etc. Do you have any signs in your office for your staff ?
Why not add fun or inspirational signs in your non-patient
care areas for your staff ? For example rename your lunch
room the "superhero lounge." Or above your staff entrance
put "go forth and make someone's day" or above your
staff exit door "Go forth and celebrate a job well done."
And of course if you are reading this and are
not in medicine may it provoke thought and
reflection into your personal life or own office!

Clearly show the hierarchy and priorities of your tasks.
Evaluate your projects to make sure they are not overloaded

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Delaware County Medicine & Health Spring 2017