You're moving to practice management from a different field. How do you make the most of your transition?

1 Assess your skills

The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a practice manager. What skills do you already have that are relevant to the role, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, or organization? What skills do you need to develop or improve, such as accounting, marketing, human resources, or legal aspects? You can use a self-assessment tool, such as the Practice Manager Competency Framework, to evaluate your current level of competence and set goals for your professional development.

2 Learn from others

The second step is to seek guidance and support from other practice managers who have more experience and expertise than you. You can join a professional association, such as the American Association of Dental Office Management or the Medical Group Management Association, to access resources, networking, and mentoring opportunities. You can also find online communities, forums, blogs, podcasts, and webinars where you can learn from other practice managers and ask questions. You can also reach out to your peers in your local area and arrange informal meetings or shadowing sessions.

5 Seek feedback

The fifth step is to seek feedback on your performance and progress as a practice manager. You can ask for regular and constructive feedback from your supervisor, colleagues, staff, patients, and partners. You can also use tools such as surveys, audits, reports, or metrics to measure and evaluate your outcomes and impact. You can also conduct self-reflection and self-evaluation to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You can use the feedback to celebrate your achievements and address your challenges.

6 Keep growing

The sixth step is to keep growing and developing as a practice manager. You can set short-term and long-term goals for your career and create a plan to achieve them. You can also seek new opportunities and challenges to expand your skills and knowledge. You can also pursue further education, certification, or accreditation to enhance your credentials and credibility. You can also maintain your professional network and connections and seek new ones to broaden your perspective and exposure.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?