Like you, most physicians go into the field of healthcare because they want to help people with their medical needs. But in order to be successful and continue to do this, you have to be business-minded enough to grow professionally.
Even if you have someone running your office and administrative tasks, you have to keep up with the healthcare changes. The rules and regulations change frequently as privacy and security laws evolve.
As you continue your thorough care of your patients, keep these professional growth strategies in mind. The improvement you gain will be visible through your improved knowledge, patient care, and increased revenue!
1. Insert Time for Reflection
The medical field is synonymous with high-pressure, fast-paced movement. Between seeing patients and updating documentation, there’s not a lot of time for thinking.
This expectation of rushing in a profession where one minor mistake can be life or death is a dangerous habit to get into. By making time to stop and reflect, you can refocus and work smarter, not harder.
A few minutes of quiet time lets you regroup and think about your day. You might be able to catch mistakes in time to fix them or strategize your future moves. Taking time to just breathe is never a bad idea!
2. Find a Niche
Everyone can be a specialist in something, even if they’re a general practitioner. Where is your passion inside your medical career, or beyond?
That is the niche you should be focused on improving slowly. You might not have time to work on it consistently, but even small growth will get you there faster than no movement at all.
For instance, if you’re a G.P. who loves preventative wellness, get the word out that you know your vitamins and supplements. Head out to all the conventions you can attend, read the newest material, and become an expert!
Because you’re focusing on something you’re passionate about, this will be time you enjoy spending on gaining new knowledge. Within a few years, you may be on a completely different path than the one you’re on now.
3. Keep Your Contract Current
Contracts are legally binding for the term in which you signed them. But before you blindly re-sign the same one you’ve always approved, read it over and consider making changes.
If you’re just starting out, you may not have a lot of leeway to make big adjustments or ask for benefits. The longer you’re there and the greater your reputation is, the more authority you have over your contract.
What is it that would make your next term better? More vacation time? Better hours? A salary increase? Hold out for those perks if you know you have job security and update your contract before you sign.
4. Stay Involved With the Billing
If you have your own practice or bill out your own charges, you’ve probably hired a company or individual to complete your billing tasks for you. This is typical and cost-effective, but do not get complacent about learning the ropes.
Conglomerate insurances like CMS Medicare, Blue Cross, and United Healthcare are well-known for throwing wrenches in how they pay providers. If your biller isn’t staying on top of the changes or keeping you aware of them, you could have a major disruption in your accounts receivables.
By staying ahead of the insurance regulations and changes, you can plan for your future financial decisions better.
5. Build Your Referral Network
When you are referred a patient by another physician for the first time, what are your procedures for thanking them? As you connect with other doctors, you should work to build a relationship with them.
Most doctors rely on referrals for at least part of their practice. It’s not quite a quid pro quo system. But if you’re referring a patient to someone outside of your specialty, it makes sense for it to be a doctor you know is reliable and that you have a working relationship with.
As your network builds, you should have a consistent physician (or more than one) to co-treat for each of the main healthcare fields. You’ll probably need cardiologists, neurologists, and other specialists as your common outbound referrals.
Conclusion
Your professional gains should encompass your entire spectrum of growth, from financial to professional. With these five strategies, you can work on short- and long-term goals to improve your career and job satisfaction!
