Job interview today - need tips please

I responded to an ad as a medical receptionist. No qualifications were indicated so I sent in my resume. I have an interview today.

Any tips on what they may require of me in terms of computer skills?
What should I wear?
What questions should I ask so I sound interested and intelligent?

On the outside they ask me when I can start working, or if they offer me the job, do I just come out and say I have another interview next week and will decide after that?

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

Any tips on what they may require of me in terms of computer skills?

I would assume MS Office at the very least. You can tell them if you have previous experience with databases and any other experience you have with different programs

What should I wear?

where is it? I think I would wear a pants suit at least.

What questions should I ask so I sound interested and intelligent?

this is pretty long, but I found this list in a quick search - I didn't go through it, but maybe you can use some?

Ask a physician

What's the call schedule?
How many calls and admissions do you handle on a typical call night or weekend?
How is sign-out handled?
Does the practice use a nurse-triage system?
Do you have evening or weekend office hours?
What hospital(s) are you affiliated with?
How is the ED covered?
Are FPs welcome in the ICU/CCU at the hospital(s) where you work?
What is the policy regarding prescribing narcotics and antibiotics over the telephone?
Are patient charts well organized? Are they dictated or hand-written? Do they include problem and medication lists? Flow sheets or other reminder forms?
What are the weaknesses of your current charting system?
Is the practice computerized? What are the future computerization plans?
How would you describe your level of autonomy?
How many patients do you see per day?
Who decides how much time you spend with each patient? Do you receive appropriate feedback about performance quality?
Do you receive feedback or education on billing and coding?
How would you describe your relationship with the staff?
What are the staff's foremost concerns?
Are you satisfied with the current compensation package?
How is productivity measured?
How would you characterize the pressure to produce?
How would you describe the organization's overall financial health? How is this clinic doing financially?
Is any expansion, integration or corporate rearrangement currently being considered?
Are you aware of any specific plans for capital improvements?
How would you describe the practice's relationship with third-party payers?
Is the administration responsive to your concerns?

Ask an administrator

Does the organization have a mission statement? If so, what is it?
What are its goals?
How would you describe the organization's overall financial health? How is this clinic doing financially? How about five years from now?
What is the business plan for the next five to 10 years?
What is the clinic's overhead?
Is any expansion, integration or corporate rearrangement currently being considered?
Are you aware of any specific plans for capital improvements?
How would you describe the practice's relationship with third-party payers?
Is the practice computerized? What are the future computerization plans?
What's the payer mix?
How long does it take to get credentialed with the major plans in your area?
How much autonomy do physicians have in this organization?
Do physicians choose their own hours?
Do physicians determine how much time they spend with each patient?
Do physicians work any evening or weekend office hours?
Do physicians receive feedback or education regarding performance quality, billing and coding?
Do physicians receive feedback regarding patient satisfaction?
Do physicians hire and fire their own staff? Do physicians have the authority to hire more staff, if needed?
Do physicians conduct performance reviews for staff?
How much input do physicians have regarding staff salaries?
Is there an office manager for the clinic or is the office manager in a centralized location?
What is the compensation plan? (i.e., salary, benefits, vacation, time off for CME, maternity leave)
Is compensation tied to productivity?
Is there any money allotted for continuing medical education?
Are bonuses given?
Who pays for beepers, cell phones, professional dues and licenses?
Are moving expenses covered?

Ask a nurse

Are patient charts well organized? Are they dictated or hand-written? Do they include problem and medication lists? Flow sheets or other reminder forms?
What are the weaknesses of your current charting system?
How would you describe your organization's relationship with third-party payers?
Is the practice computerized?
Is the computer system easy to learn? To use? How often does it have problems?
Is it difficult to get equipment replaced, or to get new equipment when needed?
How manageable is the volume of telephone calls that the practice receives?
What is the practice's policy for prescribing narcotics and antibiotics over the telephone? How closely do providers adhere to this policy?
How would you describe the nurses' level of autonomy?
How much responsibility do nurses have for telephone triage and patient education?
Do you feel that physicians can effectively address your concerns?
Is the office manager responsive when you have concerns?
How satisfied are you with the organization's compensation package?
Are bonuses given?
Do you have any issues or concerns regarding compensation?
How does the overall organization seem to be doing financially? What about this clinic?
Are you aware of the organization's future plans?

Ask support staff

How manageable is the volume of telephone calls the practice receives?
What are the weaknesses of your current charting system?
How would you describe your organization's relationship with third-party payers?
Is the practice computerized?
Is the computer system easy to learn? To use? How often does it have problems?
Is it difficult to get equipment replaced, or to get new equipment when needed?
How would you describe your level of autonomy?
Do you feel that physicians can effectively address your concerns?
Is the office manager responsive when you have concerns?
How satisfied are you with the organization's compensation package?
Are bonuses given?
Do you have any issues or concerns regarding compensation?
How does the overall organization seem to be doing financially? What about this clinic?
Ask everyone

How long have you worked here?
What do you like best about it?
What would you change if you could?
How much turnover has occurred during the past 12 months?
Why have people left?
Have you ever considered leaving?


On the outside they ask me when I can start working, or if they offer me the job, do I just come out and say I have another interview next week and will decide after that?

I think you can ask for some time to think and mention that you are considering other offers. They will then tell you the time table that they need to go by and you can weigh your decision after that.


GOOD LUCK!

Message edited 9/29/2006 9:13:41 AM.

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

I would also ask if they do their own medical billing or if they send it out. And really what your function would be and the hours you're expected to work. Also, if you'll need to assist in any office surgeries or if they have nurses.

I worked for a doctor for 4 years, these are all things that are somewhat important.

Is this a large practice or one doctor?

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

Wow, I can't believe the great help you both gave me so quickly. It is at an imaging office in Nassau, so I'm assuming it's larger rather than smaller. I don't know. When you go down lists of job offerings and submit resumes, you don't know where half are going.

Freddie, I really appreciate your thorough and sensible advice. I am going right back to your post with a pad and pencil. Thank you so much.
Gee, I don't have a pants suit. How would a skirt and sweater set work? It's cool today, right?

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

The interview is at 2. I have a summer suit with a skirt and short sleeve-jacket. Is that too formal? Is a pants suit better? I can easily run to Macy's, if it would make that much of a difference.

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

Re: Job interview today - need tips please

I guess it wouldn't be appropriate to read questions or write details during the interview? I thought that would make me seem more professional and I won't forget anything that way. Lol.
As you can see, I have never done this before. I was hired for my only other job very informally.

Yes, the suit it black with white piping - very conservative.

Message edited 9/29/2006 9:13:07 AM.

Re: Job interview today - need tips please