Hiring the right person for your dental office is one of the most important tasks you’ll undertake. By knowing what you need, you’ll save time and money in the long run. The right people can help your practice run like clockwork on a daily basis, keep your patients happy and well-cared for and continue to grow your investment.
Here are five tips for hiring the right people:
1. Define your needs. Don’t just assume candidates will know a receptionist should be kind with good hygiene; write it down. Keep a list of what is important. You might need a bilingual scheduler, an energetic billing specialist and a caring X-ray technician.
2. Figure out your team. Smart coaches fill a team, not just a position. They look at how each person will interact with the others and try to create that cohesive spirit. Your team will deal with each other day in and day out; consider allowing your team the ability to have lunch or coffee with the new hire as they can have great input.
3. Do your due diligence. Stop hiring the first person that seems remotely qualified. Take the time to call their references, validate their training and be sure to meet them in person. Consider a 90-day trial period to see how well they fit in, and whatever you do, don’t rush into hiring just anybody.
4. Create a dream office. High turnover in a small dental office can lead to frustrated team members and distrust. When you’re interviewing, find out their long-term goals and make a fair market offer to them, based on their skill set. If you want qualified, happy employees, make your office a place where they want to work and foster a sense of belonging and pride so they strive to do an exemplary job.
5. Set the expectations. In a medical office, there are laws and regulations that must be adhered to, and having a staff that understands this, will save you time and hassle. Make sure you provide training when necessary, refresher courses on important legal issues and the ability to correct mistakes. You have high expectations for your practice and your team should be set up to meet them, not set up for failure. Let them know what is expected, as well as the consequences of poor work.
By filling your practice with well-qualified staff, you’ll be on the road to success. Along the way, you might run into some bumps and detours, but a clear plan on how to return to the right road is the fastest way to get back on track. For more information, contact WSi Healthcare Personnel today!