Delegate and follow through

A medical practice depends on an entire chain of delegated duties. The leaders, such as a physician or practice administrator or manager, must delegate tasks essential to the practice, or else he or she will never get to the major challenges of running a business.

Since delegation of duties is so important at all levels of management, handle the process very carefully. Don't fall into a pattern called "dump and run" delegation. Dump and run managers delegate a task to an inadequately prepared individual, describe the assignment vaguely, or disappear from any further involvement with the task.

To prevent this from happening, follow these nine steps:

1. Select the assignee thoughtfully.
2. Make the assignment creative.
3. Provide clear directions.
4. Target a completion date.
5. Encourage feedback.
6. Be available to supervise.
7. Evaluate the assignee's performance.
8. Avoid panic situations.
9. Delegate only what you would be prepared to do yourself.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.