Now that summer has arrived, staff and physicians are beginning to request time off for vacations.
Between scheduling vacations, keeping patients up to date, and making sure all shifts are covered; office managers will need a break, too! Before running for the hills, read the following five tips for scheduling summer vacations.
They may not transport you to a tropical island, but they will help you breathe a little easier.
Get started early.
Early in the year, remind staff about the organization’s vacation policies and procedures. This reminder serves two purposes. First, encourages communication among your staff and remind them of your commitment to follow the rules for everyone’s benefit. Second, it helps the team plan their summer vacation dates based on policy requirements.
Try to get staff to take vacation time simultaneously as physicians.
A little coordination can go a long way! If a physician is out for a week, then the number of patients that will walk through your doors will be less than usual. Encourage your staff members to take their vacation time when you know things will be slow.
While getting dates to match up might be challenging, it never hurts to ask! Even an overlap of a few days will be easier on everyone, and with enough planning, anything is possible.
[Need some tips on balancing work and your personal life? Click here!]
Hire seasonal staff or part-timers.
Many medical students may be home for the summer and looking to beef up their resumes with some real-world experience. Other experienced employees may be looking to reenter the workforce after a leave of absence and want to ease with part-time work. Both are excellent choices to help fill in the gaps of a spotty summer schedule.
Pro tip: Maintain a strong relationship with a local and high-caliber medical staffing company.
Cross-train your current staff.
Employees who can wear multiple hats are a huge asset, especially during the weeks when you’re understaffed and need an extra hand. You may also discover hidden talents among your staff, and they might find new tasks they enjoy!
Cross-training is also a great way to challenge your staff, pursue continuing education, and make them feel like part of a team. It also fosters a culture of teamwork when co-workers can appreciate other staff members more. Cross-training lets them know exactly how each person contributes to the practice!
Prioritize time off based on seniority.
There are some dates that everyone will want off—Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. If you approve everyone’s request, you will find yourself running a solo show!
While it never feels good to tell someone no, it’s a word you must get used to when putting the good of your practice first.
Summertime does not have to disrupt your daily operations. Planning ahead for vacation times, ensuring everyone understands the policies, and having a backup place will ensure your Rheumatology office never suffers from a lack of staff.
We hope these tips help you get through summer in one piece—and that you get to schedule a vacation for yourself, too! Happy summer, and good luck! For more helpful tips, follow our blog and “like us” on Facebook!
Tags: medical office management, medical offices, national organization of rheumatology managers, NORM, office management, office managers, summer vacations, tips for office managers Posted by
