RG Staffing is a recruiting company in the Atlanta area for administrative personnel, medical assistants, and front desk staff.

Looking for Medical Administrative Staff? Read This First!

An administrative staff isn’t a simple role to fill in a medical practice. Even though it isn’t a technical role like a urologist, cardiologist, or ENT, finding the right candidate is crucial.

Why? Because your medical administrative staff helps keep your practice running smoothly. Essentially, they coordinate (almost) everything and everyone to provide patients with top-notch care.

So, before diving into the hiring process, take a moment to read this guide to the end. You’ll learn key information you need to hire the best administrative staff for your Atlanta medical practice.

Let’s get started!

Skills To Look For In A Medical Administrative Staff

When hiring a medical administrative staff, specific skills can significantly contribute to their ability to perform effectively and efficiently. Here are some essential abilities to keep in mind:

1. Organizational skills

Medical admin staff seamlessly manage schedules, files, and patient records. Hence, candidates must have strong organizational skills to prevent mix-ups and ensure everything is where it should be.

Key aspects:

  • Manage schedules and appointments
  • Maintain accurate patient records and files
  • Prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines

2. Communication skills

Clear communication is vital in a medical setting. Look for candidates who can convey information accurately to patients, doctors, and other staff members, both in writing and verbally.

Key aspects:

  • Listen actively to understand patient needs and concerns
  • Convey information clearly to patients and staff
  • Prepare clear and concise documentation

3.  Attention to Detail

Even small mistakes can have great consequences in a medical practice. Candidates should have a keen eye for detail, ensuring that all documents are accurate and complete.

Key aspect:

  • Carefully review documents for accuracy
  • Monitor for discrepancies in schedules or records
  • Ensure all patient information is complete and up-to-date

4. Technical proficiency

Familiarity with medical software and office tools is essential. Candidates must be able to use or adapt technologies to streamline your medical practice operations.

Key aspects:

  • Navigate electronic health record (EHR) systems efficiently
  • Use office software like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

5. Interpersonal skills

Administrative staff are patients’ first point of contact. Therefore, a friendly demeanor and strong interpersonal skills are needed to create a welcoming environment that builds trust.

Key aspects:

  • Build rapport with patients and team members
  • Handle difficult situations calmly and professionally
  • Demonstrate empathy and understanding in interactions

Experiences To Look For In Medical Administrative Staff

With training, candidates with experience as a regular admin staff could work in a medical practice. However, those with previous experience in medical settings would fit in better.

This familiarity leads to a smoother onboarding process and a quicker understanding of your practice’s needs.

Things to consider:

  • Experience in a similar role
  • Background in a medical or healthcare environment
  • Familiarity with medical terminology and procedures

Educational Background of Medical Admin Staff

While a medical admin staff doesn’t need a medical school or college education, a background in healthcare administration or a related field can be beneficial.

What to look out for:

  • Certification in healthcare administration
  • Specialized training in office management
  • Continuing education courses relevant to the role

Interview Strategy for Medical Admin Staff

Conducting effective interviews is crucial for selecting the right administrative staff. Make sure you tailor your interview questions to assess the important skills and qualities needed for your medical practice.

Also, ask about their experience, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with technology. You may use role-playing exercises to measure how they’ll handle possible real-life situations.

Example questions to ask:

  • How would you interact with difficult patients?
  • Describe a time when you managed multiple tasks
  • What would you do to manage a scheduling conflict?

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right administrative staff is essential for the smooth operation of your Atlanta medical practice. Make sure you focus on key skills when reviewing applications, and conduct a thorough interview to hire the best candidate.

If the process feels overwhelming or you don’t have the time, contact us at RG Staffing to help you recruit the right admin staff. We’ll handle everything from vacancy adverts to reviewing applications and interviewing candidates.