A New Year, a Fresh Rheumatology Staff

New Year’s resolutions are usually broken as fast as they are made, but now is the perfect time to make some imperative changes within your rheumatology practice. We provided some ideas on how to change the office, but what can we do to inspire change within our staff this year? Below are four realistic goals that will help breathe new life into your staff and your practice this year.

Before you get started, conduct a staff meeting to discuss what goals for 2018 should be made for your office. Encourage each staff member to contribute a few strong ideas. Asking your employees to contribute gives them a feeling of personal responsibility to reach these goals.

Support training.

Encourage your staff to seek more training and continuing education. Research upcoming conferences, workshops, or classes for your staff, then reward them for taking initiative.

Improved communication.

Quality communication is a huge catalyst behind any successful business. Keeping supervisors informed of any issues and taking the time to explain things to colleagues is key to a fresh, new staff in 2018. In addition, ensure your staff is communicating with your patients. Discuss implementing patient satisfaction surveys this year if you aren’t already. Make sure everyone from receptionists to physicians are taking the time to truly listen to patients.

Require punctuality.

Mornings can be tough for everyone, but getting to work on time should be at the top of your staff’s goals. However, no one wants to be micromanaged, so keep it fun and positive. Encourage early birds by rewarding instead of punishing those who are late.

Keep your staff healthy.

Being in the medical field, we all know how important it is to stay healthy. Encourage your staff to listen to their instincts when it comes to their minds and bodies. If someone doesn’t feel well, ensure they feel comfortable talking to a supervisor and taking time off. You could also inspire a healthier staff by creating an in-office weight loss challenge, researching standing desks and providing healthy snacks.

By implementing these small changes, your staff will feel a big difference. It can change the way they work, how they feel and how they treat each other. Creating a more positive work atmosphere will make everyone look forward to coming to work, and in the end, will make your patients will feel more welcome too.

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  • As a speaker at the first ad hoc meeting of rheumatology practice managers gathered in a single small room at its infancy a decade ago, I’m amazed to see how NORM has blossomed into a high energy organization of depth and professional meetings with parallel break-out symposia between plenary sessions. NORM has truly come of age. This is where the “business” of rheumatology gets learned. The ”guildmanship” for rheumatology practice management is now strong.- Paul H. Caldron, DO, FACP, FACR, MBA, Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates
  • In a time of demanding changes in the management of medical practices in the US, NORM has been a lifesaver to the community of Rheumatology practices.  NORM has allowed our practice to stay ahead of the many demands of CMS and others payors and has ensured that our practice remains cognizant of new issues that arise in HIPPA compliance, human resources and medical billing to name a few. Sending our Practice Manager to NORM's conferences has been cost-effective and beneficial to our practice because she returns to our office with an abundance of information that otherwise would have taken months to compile. Every Rheumatology practice that wishes to stay on top of emerging issues in practice management should consider sending a member of their staff to NORM's conference.- Michael S. Rosen M.D., Chester County Rheumatology PC
  • Thanks to all those wonderful people in the NORM Network who respond to emails, offering their advice, experience, time, and support ... I haven't even been a member a full year yet and I am amazed at the dedication of everyone who responds to helping via emails and the NORM Organization itself! I have barely had a chance to explore the resources and I have yet to really dive into requests for help still I am silently learning so much and do occasionally offer what I can! Thank you all!- Cheryl Piambino, Kenneth E. Bresky, DO

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