Download - Allegheny County Medical Society

SOCIETY NEWS
Donna J. Kell leads a group discussion on
workday issues and challenges during the
February 29 Practice Managers Forum.
Practice administrators forum
More than 20 practice administrators
attended the February 29
interactive program, Managing Your
Workteam, HR Skills Made Easy,
presented by Donna J. Kell, BS,
MPM. Ms. Kell, who provided key
information on the framework and
tools required for managing a
successful workteam, is CEO of the
Kell Group, LLC.
Attendees were asked at the
onset to provide specific challenges
and issues they confront in their
workday. Common issues included
morale, recruitment, compensation,
accountability, discipline and work
ethic. An enthusiastic discussion
between participants and Ms. Kell
resulted in creative ideas and solutions
to many of the identified
challenges.
Ms. Kell outlined an important
framework for successfully managing
a medical workteam and identified
five important tools needed to
greatly enhance a practice
administrator’s ability to cultivate an
effective and happy workforce:
1 Create an organization chart.
Who does what? Who reports to
whom? The organization chart
should provide details on skill
sets as well as accountability.
2 Define job descriptions. Although
this is a challenge, be
specific in defining each job and
include an outline of performance
expectations.
3 Detail a compensation structure.
Be prepared to constantly review
the current compensation rates
for each position. Keep information
confidential, but share full
compensation details with
individuals during review period.
4 Request feedback on communication
and conflict. Keep open
lines of communication by
providing periodic performance
discussions with all employees;
document employee successes
and concerns. Conflict resolution
can be addressed by fostering
two-way and open communication;
stick to the facts and
develop skills through mediation
training (if needed).
5 Provide an employee handbook.
A detailed employee handbook
given to all employees is important
along with an employee
acknowledgement form. Handbook
material should be reviewed
yearly to keep it current.
Ms. Kell noted that, for complicated
human resources challenges,
investing in a human resource
attorney is beneficial to ensure that
the practice guidelines already in
place follow relevant legal parameters.
She also stressed that taking
time to institute a framework within
the work place is key to maximizing
staff productivity and providing a
solid workteam environment.
The ACMS Practice Administrators
Forum meets regularly throughout
the year at the ACMS building.
For information on how to join the
forum and to receive updates on
upcoming meetings, contact Nadine
Popovich at npopovich@acms.org or
(412) 321-5030.
continued on page 146
April 2012 : Bulletin
ACMS Physician
Career Center
www.acms.org
A unique interactive online recruitment
tool provided by the Allegheny County
Medical Society, a member of the
HEALTHeCAREERS TM Network
An integrated network of dozens of the most prestigious
health care associations
Questions? Contact HEALTHeCAREERS
Network at 888/884-8242
Candidates:
¨ View national, regional and local job listings 24 hours a day,
7 days a week—free of charge.
¨ Post resume free of charge where it will be visible to
thousands of health care employers nationwide. Post
confidentially or openly—depending on candidate’s preference.
¨ Receive e-mail notification of new job postings.
¨ Track current and past activity, with toll-free access to
personal assistance.
Employers:
¨ Access nationwide market of qualified candidates.
¨ Resume Alert automatically e-mails notices of potential candidate
postings.
¨ Enjoy exceptional customer service and consultation.
¨ Use online tracking.
145