Orthotown December 2013 - (Page 16)

orthotown.com // message board Sick of managing people? You're not alone. » Orthotown.com > Message Boards > Non-Clinical Topics > Front Office/Staff Issues > Revolving Door applekor Member Since: 12/01/10 Post: 1 of 27 t Staffing issues are no strangers to orthodontic offices. For similar discussions, search for these message boards on Orthotown.com. Ethical Issue - How Would You Handle It? Search: Ethical Issue Do You Let Your Employees Talk Back to You or Complain? Do You Fire Them Immediately? Search: Staffing Issue t Revolving Door I'm sure I'm not the only person who has staffing issues, and I guess I'm just venting, but I am so frustrated with managing people. I've been an orthodontist in solo practice for 15 years and by far, this is the most challenging part of my job. I just found out (again) today that one of my more experienced assistants put in her two-weeks notice. Why? Well, it's too stressful of a job and she wants something easier. Of course, it's more than that. Over the years, I've looked within: How can I be a better boss? How can I make the practice one where people (employees) want to be? Our patients want to come and we are always getting compliments and feedback to our surveys how much they like us, but no one wants to work for us. They do, until they learn it's hard work. We don't just sit around and eat bonbons all day. It's so hard not to take a resignation personally. I've worked on my management skills. My team is fairly large and we do a ton of training so we can better serve our patients. My family often teases me about how much training we do, and thinking about it, because I am constantly training someone new, the training needs to continue. Furthermore, it is so hard to hire an orthodontic assistant. Our office moves fast and the assistants do a lot clinically. I have hired so many (general) dental assistants over the years who wanted to make a move into ortho. It ended with disastrous results. Even worse are those who have no experience. We do have a training program. It doesn't seem to help. Our patients do wonder why anyone wants to leave and comment on the fact that "so and so" isn't here anymore. This isn't great for building confidence, I know. An HR adviser told me that most young people these days are at a job for an average of three years before moving on... that's what this gal gave me. Besides online, does anyone have any experience on places to look to hire an assistant, preferably with experience? n SEP 9 2013 Dr-T Member Since: 05/19/09 Post: 2 of 27 I'm like you and take resignations personally, but that's what makes us good doctors and bad managers. Doctors are trained to be compassionate and care for others, while managers are trained to delegate and manage without emotion. Hopefully I can afford a true office manager with an MBA at some point. As far as hiring, look toward your patients and consider training them. After two years of treatment you get a good idea of their personalities and how they will get along with staff. Ask the staff it they have anyone in mind. Try not to panic and hire someone who will not last off of a Craigslist ad. n SEP 9 2013 dcash Member Since: 11/11/04 Post: 3 of 27 16 I feel for you. The staff management part is definitely challenging! Why do you think she is quitting? If she said it's too stressful, why do you think that is? My practice is not perfect by any means, and I do my share of firing and have had a few quit over 20 years, but I don't think any of my staff are stressed at work. Stress usually comes from the top, like a micro-managing boss or office manager. It can happen if the day schedule doesn't run on time (and assistants or front office get heat for it). It can also come from a team that doesn't get along. Are any of those the case? It definitely sucks to lose an experienced team member, if she's one you'll truly miss. So if you're not sure why she's quitting it may be worthwhile to have an informal exit interview DECEMBER 2013 // orthotown.com http://www.orthotown.com http://www.Orthotown.com http://www.orthotown.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?a=11&s=6&f=693&t=158172&g=1 http://www.orthotown.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?a=11&s=6&f=721&t=169450&g=1 http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown December 2013

Orthotown.com Highlights
Wired for Success: Harnessing the Power of Video
Who Wants to Be My Barometer? Feel Free to Calibrate Me.
Revolving Door
The Perfect Place for an Orthodontic Practice
Decisions, Decisions
Hiring Made Easy
Removing the Obstacles to On-time Doctor Time Scheduling
11 Safe Investments
A Flux Capacitor, Planning and Your Practice
IPR by the Numbers Revisited and Improved
PROPEL Orthodontics Enabling Faster and More Predictable Cases
Ad Index

Orthotown December 2013