Often, you will find that administrative responsibility, paperwork to show compliance with GDPR and CQC, as well as staffing and HR concerns, take up a considerable amount of time when running a healthcare practice. In this case, it might be time to hire a practice manager.

Although hiring a practice manager adds value to your practice, finding the right fit can be daunting. As such, many professionals often overlook this step when building their medical practice. This article will define a practice manager and key qualities to look for when hiring one.

Who is a Practice Manager?

Generally, a practice manager is in charge of the daily running of medical practice. They handle administrative tasks, supervise the staff, and handle the facility’s budget and finances. 

A good practice manager aids in the proper implementation of various patient care processes in your healthcare practice. They have a duty to ascertain compliance with all rules and regulations, allowing your practice to concentrate on patients. 

They also ascertain that your business follows the standard ethical policies, expands your capacity to accept new patients, and manages your entire staff. In addition, they manage medical records, invoicing, and procuring equipment and supplies. They also have to develop and implement efficiency improvement plans for the practice. 

Top Qualities to Consider When Hiring a Practice Manager

While many attributes make an excellent practice manager, some are more crucial. They include:

Education Qualifications

The amount of education and experience required to become a healthcare practice manager depends on the practice. Healthcare practices frequently prefer a college diploma or perhaps a master’s degree in business administration. Industry experts believe that the ideal applicant should have a bachelor’s degree in health administration, including courses on healthcare regulations, accounting, ethics, health services organization and management, and communication.

Previous Work Experience

Depending on the medical practice, job experience qualifications may differ. While a single physician’s healthcare practice may not demand an experienced office manager, a small business with three to six physicians is likely to require an office manager with a minimum of 2-5 years of prior work experience.

As soon as an experienced practice manager enters the firm, they may begin managing billing, staff, finances, and bookkeeping. Thus, it is vital to assess the candidate’s employment history and educational background.

Check for Qualities That You Specified in the Job Advertisement

It is vital to consider the qualities and characteristics that you believe your patients and staff need as you interview candidates. These could include compassion, empathy, attentiveness, team player, and good communication skills.

Find Candidates with Effective Negotiation Skills and Strong Leadership Abilities

 The best practice manager must have outstanding leadership skills to manage daily patient care obligations while handling administrative duties. In addition, the manager must be a skilled negotiator who can rapidly settle issues which typically arise between patients and the office.

The right practice manager should be able to assign tasks effectively and assess when it is preferable to tackle a project on their own and when it is better to delegate.

Final Point

The right practice manager should help you run your practice more efficiently. They should have the proper ethics, be team players and also have the ability to interact with their patients in an effective manner. Be wary of candidates who talk badly about their previous employers during the interview. 

Also, do not forget to conduct a background check and speak to the references provided before hiring your ideal candidate. If you are looking for more information about hiring practice managers to grow your practice, contact us by filling out the form below.