Starting a Medical Billing Business > Starting Your Own Medical Billing Business
Hiring A Manager
jcbilling:
As I have experienced some growth, I am considering hiring a manager for some of the daily operations that are becoming too cumbersome for me.
I have found a very capable person who is currently managing the radiology dept of a hopsital of 84 employees and is interested in working this posiiton.
However, I currently work directly with my clients and want to maintain a strong connection. What are some things I can implement from the beginning so that it doesn't affect my client relationships. Also, what are some processes that you all have put in place to make sure that things aren't let go by a manager who may not be as interested in the affairs as the owner would be?
Thanks so much for all your insight!!
midwifebiller:
While I do not have a general manager (still looking!), I have been able to delegate many of the daily tasks to others. Here's what I have learned.
Realize from the start that no one--NO one--cares about your business as much as you do. It's your baby and ultimately your responsibility. Delegate, but stay involved.
Be very specific as to what you want done, when you want it done and how. Have as much on paper as possible. Policies & Procedures have been a lifesaver for me. They read the manual first, I train them, they refer to the manual later. The more detail you have for every step you want someone else to do, the better. Our P&P manuals not only have steps 1, 2, 3, etc., but computer screen shots, specific examples, timelines, schedules and checklists. And even with the best of written P&P, there will be errors. Resist the urge to re-do imperfections yourself, rather bring it to his/her attention and ask them to correct their mistakes.
Meet regularly with your manager. Have a standing weekly appointment, and keep a record of what you discuss. Any problems can be dealt with early if you are meeting regularly.
As for your clients, let them know you now have an assistant, but assure them that you are still available. It will be hard for some of your clients, but courtesy calls and emails to check in on them will be greatly appreciated. We email weekly reports to all of our clients and I have a "Memo" that goes with the reports. I also write an article that goes out with the monthly newsletter.
Good luck!
jcbilling:
Hi Kelli,
That was very helpful - thank you sooooo much!!
Any others?
Michele:
--- Quote from: midwifebiller on May 22, 2011, 02:33:50 AM ---Realize from the start that no one--NO one--cares about your business as much as you do. It's your baby and ultimately your responsibility. Delegate, but stay involved.
--- End quote ---
SO TRUE ~ Best advice right here. No matter how good they are, they will never care about it the same as you do.
--- Quote from: midwifebiller on May 22, 2011, 02:33:50 AM ---Be very specific as to what you want done, when you want it done and how. Have as much on paper as possible. Policies & Procedures have been a lifesaver for me. They read the manual first, I train them, they refer to the manual later. The more detail you have for every step you want someone else to do, the better. Our P&P manuals not only have steps 1, 2, 3, etc., but computer screen shots, specific examples, timelines, schedules and checklists. And even with the best of written P&P, there will be errors. Resist the urge to re-do imperfections yourself, rather bring it to his/her attention and ask them to correct their mistakes.
--- End quote ---
Again, super advice! I used to say (and still do! shame on me!) it's easier to fix it and I'm being too picky. But you MUST make them do it and do it the way you want them to.
--- Quote from: midwifebiller on May 22, 2011, 02:33:50 AM ---Meet regularly with your manager. Have a standing weekly appointment, and keep a record of what you discuss. Any problems can be dealt with early if you are meeting regularly.
--- End quote ---
Meet regularly, but don't take their word on everything! Make sure you have some way of knowing that what they are saying is what they are doing. I don't mean to sound like I don't trust anyone (can you tell I've been burned!). You need to keep you hands in enough that you know what is going on even if you aren't the one doing it.
--- Quote from: midwifebiller on May 22, 2011, 02:33:50 AM ---As for your clients, let them know you now have an assistant, but assure them that you are still available. It will be hard for some of your clients, but courtesy calls and emails to check in on them will be greatly appreciated. We email weekly reports to all of our clients and I have a "Memo" that goes with the reports. I also write an article that goes out with the monthly newsletter.
Good luck!
--- End quote ---
Agree again, completely. I still make random contact with clients to see how things are going and how they like "so-and-so". I make sure they feel completely comfortable talking to me so if they are concerned or have an issue with the office manager then they will tell me. If I know they are having an issue I will follow up to make sure they were ok with the way it was handled. I encourage them to email me or even cc me when they email the office manager. Then I know what the correspondence going back and forth is like.
Good luck with your search!
jcbilling:
Thanks Michele for the added input - I was hoping you would chime in!!
I'm taking notes and welcome any other advice!!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version