Episode 102: Is Your Office Manager Living the Peter Principle?

11/05/24 • 14 min

Today, we're diving into a topic that might be affecting your practice more than you realize: Is Your Office Manager Living the Peter Principle? Now, you might be wondering—what is the Peter Principle? And how could it apply to my medical practice? Let’s break it down.

The Peter Principle is a concept first described by Dr. Laurence J. Peter in his 1969 book, The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong. It states that employees in a hierarchy tend to rise to their "level of incompetence." In other words, they get promoted based on their performance in their current role until they reach a position where they’re no longer effective.

In the context of a medical practice, this principle can have significant repercussions. Picture your Office Manager, someone who has been with your practice for years. They’ve handled scheduling, billing, and HR—wearing multiple hats as your practice grew from just a couple of physicians to a bustling team. But as the demands increased, their skill set may not have evolved as quickly. Suddenly, they’re managing tasks beyond their capabilities, struggling with strategic planning, advanced budgeting, or navigating complex regulations. That's the Peter Principle at play.
Please Follow or Subscribe to get new episodes delivered to you as soon as they drop!
Visit Jill’s company, Health e Practices’ website: https://healtheps.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter, Health e Connections: http://21978609.hs-sites.com/newletter-subscriber
Want more content? Find sample job descriptions, financial tools, templates and much more: www.MedicalMoneyMattersPodcast.com

Purchase your copy of Jill’s book here: Physician Heal Thy Financial Self
Join our Medical Money Matters Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3834886643404507/
Original Musical Score by: Craig Addy at https://www.underthepiano.ca/ Visit Craig’s website to book your Once in a Lifetime music experience
Podcast coaching and development by: Jennifer Furlong, CEO, Communication Twenty-Four Seven https://www.communicationtwentyfourseven.com/

Send us a text

Previous Episode

Episode 101: Meet the Four Embezzlers Lurking in Plain Sight: A Guide for Savvy Physicians

Send us a text

Today’s topic is one that can be hard to think about but is crucial for anyone managing a practice: embezzlement. We’re calling today’s episode “Meet the Four Embezzlers Lurking in Plain Sight: A Guide for Savvy Physicians.” Why focus on this? Well, physician practices have unique vulnerabilities that make them especially appealing targets for embezzlers, and the impact of financial theft goes far beyond just the dollars lost.

Imagine this: a small family medicine practice, tight-knit team, trusted office manager who’s been with the clinic for years. But behind the scenes, small amounts of money are disappearing month by month. Sometimes, it’s cash payments that never make it to the deposit, or maybe the credit card bills include strange charges that no one noticed—until it’s too late. By the time the theft is discovered, thousands of dollars are gone, patient trust is damaged, and morale among staff hits rock bottom. For more than 82% of practices, unfortunately, this story isn’t hypothetical.
Please Follow or Subscribe to get new episodes delivered to you as soon as they drop!
Visit Jill’s company, Health e Practices’ website: https://healtheps.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter, Health e Connections: http://21978609.hs-sites.com/newletter-subscriber
Want more content? Find sample job descriptions, financial tools, templates and much more: www.MedicalMoneyMattersPodcast.com

Next Episode

Episode 103: Is Your Cyber Incident Response Plan Up to Snuff?

Send us a text

Today, we’re diving into a critical topic that’s only becoming more urgent as cyber threats grow: Is Your Cyber Incident Response Plan Up to Snuff?

Now, if you’re a physician running or managing a practice, you might think cybersecurity isn’t something you need to worry about daily. Think back to March of 2024, which saw the Change Healthcare Cyberattack. You may be thinking, “Change is a large organization, and I don’t have to worry as much as they do.” But in today’s environment, all healthcare practices are prime targets for cyberattacks, and a lack of preparation can have devastating consequences. In fact, according to recent studies, the healthcare sector has one of the highest rates of cyberattacks among all industries, with massive financial and reputational impacts following even a single breach.

So today, we’re going to cover the essentials of creating a solid Cyber Incident Response Plan—or CIRP for short—and why every practice, from small solo operations to large multi-physician groups, needs a plan in place. We’ll talk about the unique vulnerabilities that come with running a healthcare practice, especially as it grows, and the serious fallout that can follow a cyber incident. I’ll also offer some guidance on building a strong cybersecurity policy and show you how to protect your practice, your patients, and ultimately, your reputation.
Please Follow or Subscribe to get new episodes delivered to you as soon as they drop!
Visit Jill’s company, Health e Practices’ website: https://healtheps.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter, Health e Connections: http://21978609.hs-sites.com/newletter-subscriber
Want more content? Find sample job descriptions, financial tools, templates and much more: www.MedicalMoneyMattersPodcast.com