As valued members of healthcare teams, medical office assistants play an essential role in greeting patients. Often the first and last people to interact with clients, medical assistants are the all-important intermediaries between patients and their healthcare services.
As these medical pros would attest, a positive welcome goes a long way in making patients feel at ease – and ensuring the office is running smoothly. From phone etiquette to waiting room tidiness, medical office assistants create a welcoming environment for the good of the patient and the medical practice.
Are you curious about welcoming patients as a medical assistant? Keep reading for important information.
Patients Value Personal – and Discrete – Attention
A strong welcome can soothe patients and vastly improve the overall healthcare experience. Entering a medical office is daunting for many. In these cases, medical office assistants can help with a personal touch, reassuring patients that their individual wellness is of the utmost importance. These welcomes are usually prompt and engaging, with assistants adopting a calm tone and maintaining eye contact.
Assistants can also ask patients about their days and follow up with brief – but friendly – conversation. If medical explanations are necessary, office assistants should be as thorough as possible without being patronizing. On the phone as in person, the best assistants ensure the utmost discretion in discussing any personal information. This discretion reflects well on the medical office or practice, signaling a broader concern for the patient’s comfort and wellbeing.
Discretion helps medical offices gain the confidence of patients
Waiting Room Management is Key After Medical Office Assistant Training
Patients are likely expected to wait before seeing the doctor. While formal greetings may have passed, this waiting room experience is crucial in making patients feel at ease. A welcoming waiting room is clean, well-lit and comfortable, with enough seating space for patients and families. Some medical offices also facilitate the waiting experience with magazines, children’s toys and educational TV programs.
While preparing their future careers, students in medical office assistant training can anticipate how they might enhance patient comfort. While much of the waiting room’s resources will be out of their control, new assistants can nonetheless maximize the space, ensuring it is friendly, tidy and well-stocked. Assistants are also prepared to tell patients how long they can expect to wait, and supply a reason for extra long waits.
Medical Assistants Maintain a Welcoming Atmosphere after Appointments
In a busy office, medical assistants are constantly redirecting their focus to greet incoming patients. Yet, outgoing patients can still benefit from a welcoming environment, especially as they might have to book follow-up appointments or ask additional questions. In these post-appointment moments, patients are still building their perceptions of the office and may in fact walk out remembering them most vividly. Medical office assistants know to maintain a friendly and professional tone with outgoing patients, supplying any further information and booking any follow-up procedures.
A strong medical office administration program prepares students to handle these client experiences at all stages. Among their many front-office duties, medical office assistants ensure the best possible healthcare experience for patients. Facilitating the day-to-day work of medical professionals, these welcoming talents help office assistants become valued coworkers.
Medical office assistants follow up with patients to schedule future appointments
Are you hoping to launch a career with a leading medical office assistant course?
Contact Oxford College for details.