Front-office hacks that make work easierMay 2, 2019Your client-care team members should be masters of multitasking and problem solvers. During my 22 years of coaching receptionists, I've discovered helpful tips and tricks that make running the front desk easier. You're going to want to get started now: 1) Get wireless headsets Because receptionists answer hundreds of calls daily, headsets will reduce back and neck pain caused from cradling phones on shoulders. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), doctors, chiropractors, and physiotherapists all advise using headsets. Studies show wearing a headset instead of holding the phone can improve productivity up to 43 percent.1 Headsets let receptionists talk and type, speeding up the time it takes to book appointments and process prescription refill requests. Headsets also can eliminate hold time. While wearing a wireless headset and talking with a client, the receptionist could walk to the pharmacy to confirm the pet owner's prescription refill is ready. A headset also keeps the microphone in the same position as receptionists move their heads and speak, so voices sound consistent to callers. Noise-canceling microphones can remove up to 75 percent of background noise, filtering out sounds of barking dogs and other ringing phones.1 Ask your phone equipment vendor which headsets are …
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Why your front-desk team sucksMarch 13, 2019Do you remember the first time you told a pet owner her dog was dying? You were sweating bullets, struggling to find the right words, and tried your best to be honest and compassionate. I'm going to have a similar conversation with you. Your front-desk team is in critical condition. If you don't resuscitate your employees, client relationships will die. Every client interaction begins and ends with your client-care team. From the phone call to book an exam to collecting payment at checkout, your front-office staff impacts your hospital's revenue and client relationships. Here are your team's ailments and how to cure them: 1)They don't know your standards of care. As a mystery caller, I explained I had recently moved from another state and received an email from my previous veterinarian that my dog was due for a checkup. I asked which vaccines would be needed in our new community and the cost. The employee replied, "The shots are always up to you, but we usually do leptospirosis, distemper, rabies, and bordetella." Describe core vaccines with confidence, rather than "shots are up to you." Miscommunication of basic medical information is commonplace. In another call about a 16-week-old kitten, …
