Question

Jackie Mills, MA, has been asked by the Office Manager (OM) to use her computer account to update patient files in the computer. The office has changed to a new software program and needs to reset the billing cycle for the current patients. So that the new project doesn't interfere with Jackie's regular work, she has requested that she come in an hour and a half earlier. Jackie also explains that by coming in earlier than the rest of the staff, she can concentrate and be more efficient. The OM agrees, and has approved for her to sign in earlier on her time sheet until the project is finished. The OM has planned for this project to take between 10 and 15 hours to complete. At the end of the first week, the OM has noticed that Jackie has signed in two hours early each day. At the beginning of the second week, the Office Manager asks Jackie how the project is coming along since she has had about 10 hours of work into it. Jackie states that the project is much more involved than what she expected, and that it would take her at least another 20-30 hours to complete it, if not longer. This statement surprises the OM; the software company assured her it is a fairly easy and quick process to reset the billing cycle for current patients. The OM herself has already reset a couple of accounts due to special circumstances.

Question 1:

If the OM is unsure or weary of Jackie's actions, how could the OM verify Jackie's work?

Answer 1

To verify Jackie's work, the Office Manager (OM) could take the following actions:

1. Request progress reports: The OM can ask Jackie to provide regular updates on the progress of the project, including specific tasks completed and any challenges encountered.

2.
Review completed work: The OM can examine the work that Jackie has done so far to assess its quality and accuracy. This can involve checking the updated patient files and comparing them with the requirements and standards set by the office.

3.
Seek a second opinion: The OM can consult with other staff members or IT professionals who are knowledgeable about the software and the task at hand. They can provide insights and feedback on the complexity and estimated time required for the project.


4.
Test the completed work: The OM can test the functionality of the reset billing cycle for a sample of patient accounts to ensure that it is working as intended and producing the desired results.


By implementing these verification measures, the OM can gain a better understanding of Jackie's work and determine if additional time and resources are indeed necessary for completing the project.