A good example of operations in the medical field is shown in a doctor's office or hospital. There are staff members in both places that do not perform the actual diagnosing of illnesses or provide treatment but allow the office or hospital to run smoothly throughout the day. They do all of the work behind the scenes and play a very important part in the excellent service that is provided to each and every visitor.
At hospitals and doctors' offices alike, there are specialists that take care of all of the billing and record keeping. They are responsible for ensuring timely and accurate billing to both the patients and the insurance companies. Both the organizational and communication skills are tested repeatedly throughout their work day. In a hospital, there are so many different people in and out all day that if records are misplaced or are not completed accurately then it could lead to serious medical trouble for a patient and large income loss for the hospital.
The office managers and secretaries that work in a doctor's office are another very important part of operations in the medical field. Medical operations could not run effectively without the skill and abilities of the people that fills these positions. They are responsible for maintaining efficiencies and ensuring that each patient receives excellent service while they are in the office and when they call for information or to set an appointment. The office managers also manage the staff to ensure proper scheduling and responsibilities. They oversee the billing and patient records as well.
The secretaries that work in medical operations also provide a great service to the operations in the medical field. They are the front line when it comes to customer contact. Someone in this position should be able to communicate well both verbally and in written form. They will be answering questions, greeting, and providing some guidance for the patients. Because they are often the first point of contact for a patient, they must be alert and able to escalate certain patient concerns when they arise.
Medical secretaries are also responsible for a great deal of paperwork. Each physician's office may be set up differently as far as the specific responsibilities that are assigned person working in medical operations but it is true in most cases that the medical secretary plays a vital role in the success of medical operations. While it is likely that all medical secretaries are responsible for greeting patients and answering phones, many other responsibilities include taking records of the patients medical history, dealing with insurance companies and ensuring accurate billing data is captured and sent, and working with the patient records that are in the office.
Some offices have coding specialists on staff to assist with the medical operations. These people are trained in coding medical procedures so that the accurate charges are being sent over to the insurance companies. This position is a key to an office receiving payment for their services. The operations in the medical field run much smoother when there is someone on staff that has a clear understanding of the billing process and who can quickly code the charges and get them sent over for payment.
Operations in the medical field encompass many different jobs and titles though they all are pieces of a system that makes the medical practices run smoothly. When one piece of the medical operations team is out of line or is not performing to their best abilities, it can cause a severe laps in service to the patients and could cause a great deal of money to be lost by the establishment. Jobs in this field are exciting and challenging and should never be taken lightly. When you are dealing with the health and well being of other people you have to perform to the best of your abilities on a daily basis. Medical operations are really a term for team work. This teamwork affects many people and can be the difference between someone receiving the necessary treatment for their condition and someone being neglected.
