Being an effective medical office manager has always required excellent organizational, communication and time management skills, but in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, you need more to get ahead.
As the executive director of the Association of Professional Office Managers, Jim Lynch recently offered some important insights. We added a couple too, which can help you build a more rewarding and successful career:
- Get Your Geek On. You need to be able to use more than spreadsheets and word processing software, especially with electronic medical records management becoming more of a reality with each passing day. A wide range of software products are available to medical office managers, which can simplify and expedite day-to-day tasks considerably. Project management software, customer relationship management software and payment processing tools are among the types of programs and digital platforms you should acquaint yourself with to foster ongoing career success.
- Train those Humans. This is particularly important in new offices and smaller offices, where the task of hiring, training and managing employees falls directly in the office manager’s lap. You need to be up to date on current employment laws and regulations while ensuring that health and safety codes are being followed. You may also be required to interview candidates for new and transitioning positions, so human resources training forms an essential part of a well-rounded skill set.
- Project Manager Extraordinaire. As the office manager, you need to be able to handle projects of any scope or size. Developing your ability to manage special tasks, such as the relocation of the office or the implementation of new task management systems, is essential to your sustained success. It’s up to you to lead your team through these types of transitions, so that they are able to carry on with their regular duties with minimal disruption.
- Super Conductor. Since many medical office managers are the face of the operation, you need to be confident in your ability to deal with people in person and over the telephone. Well-developed oral communication skills will also help you manage your office team more effectively, ensuring that delegation of tasks and worker expectations are clear.
- Certifiably . . . HIPAA, HITECH, Omnibus Final Rule, the doctor’s Latin scrawl, you better know how to read it, interpret it, and be in front of the regulatory curve. If not, it’s hot water for you and don’t think claw foot tub in a relaxing bed and breakfast in the wine country either.
- By Mint or by Print. We’re talkin’ money, moolah, dough here. Earn it, collect it, don’t counterfeit it, and whatever you do, keep that cash flowing. Otherwise, the good doctor may have to take out a business line of credit, might start micro-managing you and won’t be able to take their vacation that gives you a break too.
Medical office management is a dynamic field, and successful professionals require a broad cross-section of skills.
Now let us write you a prescription for success. All the ingredients you need are found in our new, free Office Manager Cookbook. Download it here and start feasting!
