Starting your own medical practice can be daunting. But your dream to better serve patients, have more control, and less burnout is worth the risk.
You’ll have more freedom, setting your own services, hours, and even the types of patients you work with.
In this article, we’ll outline the steps to starting your practice.
1. Secure Financing
One of the biggest mistakes in starting a medical practice is not allocating enough funds to the business. If you’ve been an employee your whole life, the concept of overhead expenses can feel overwhelming.
Work with an accountant, attorney, and certified financial planner to determine short and long-term expenses. This isn’t just the cost of renting an office space. You’ll need to pay employees, startup costs, insurance, and equipment. Initially, purchasing equipment and software may be your most expensive purchase. Fortunately, you can find great options from reliable manufacturers like mavenimaging.com.
You’ll want to look into small business loans and other payment options. Loans can feel daunting if you’re straddled with medical school debt, so you’ll want to consider small business grants and other manageable financing options.
2. Develop a Business Plan
A business plan projects your anticipated revenue, expenses, and debt three to five years ahead. This helps you secure any partners or lenders.
But it also serves as a roadmap to help you navigate through the early stages of a medical practice. Your business plan should include the following:
- Executive summary ─ This serves as an introductory snapshot of your medical practice, containing critical information such as the practice’s name, physical location, and the range of healthcare services you intend to offer.
- Main objectives ─ Talk about the goals of your medical practice. Who do you want to treat, and what health problems do you plan to solve? How large is your practice?
- Budget ─ Make a list of all your projected expenses. Begin with the essentials you need to get your practice off the ground – everything from office supplies to medical software.
- Income projections and funding needs ─ Estimate your revenue and expenses within the first five years.
- SWOT ─ Thoroughly research your industry. Create a list of your business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which should highlight how your practice fits into the market.
3. Buy Medical Equipment and Supplies
Your medical equipment is the backbone of your practice, allowing you to provide high-quality care to your patients. Here’s a checklist of essential medical equipment to consider:
- Medical Examination Tables ─ Comfortable and adjustable examination tables are crucial for patient assessments.
- Diagnostic Tools ─ Depending on your specialty, you may need equipment like stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, and more.
- Medical Devices ─ Invest in devices specific to your practice, such as X-ray machines, ECG machines, ultrasound machines, or other specialized diagnostic tools.
- Furniture ─ Your patients will need a comfortable waiting area, ideally something that takes their minds off of the potential health issues they may have.
4. Staffing and Human Resources
Effective staffing and human resources management are crucial components in your medical practice’s successful launch and continued operation. Your team plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality healthcare services and ensuring the seamless functioning of your practice. To establish and manage your workforce effectively, consider the following strategies:
Staff Recruitment
When hiring staff for your medical practice, a meticulous approach is essential. Begin by creating comprehensive job descriptions for each role you intend to fill, clearly outlining responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations. Craft a structured recruitment process encompassing resume screening, interviews, and reference checks.
Involving existing staff members in the interview process can be beneficial in assessing cultural fit. Equally important is conducting thorough background checks, especially for positions that involve patient care or handling sensitive information. Look beyond qualifications and assess candidates for their alignment with your practice’s values and patient-centered approach.
Training and Credentialing
Once you’ve assembled your team, ensuring they are well-prepared for their respective roles is critical. Start with a comprehensive orientation program for new hires, covering practice policies, procedures, and expectations.
Familiarize them with the practice’s culture and commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. Verify that all clinical staff members hold valid and up-to-date licenses or certifications required for their positions. Keep meticulous records of expiration dates and renewal requirements.
Encourage and support ongoing professional development for your staff, which may include training opportunities, certifications, and attendance at relevant conferences. Consider cross-training staff members to enhance flexibility and coverage during busy periods or staff absences.
Employee Handbook
An employee handbook is indispensable for setting clear expectations and ensuring consistency in your practice’s operations. Within the handbook, document all practice policies and procedures comprehensively. Cover topics such as patient confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, attendance, and a code of conduct.
Provide clarity on employee benefits, compensation structures, and performance evaluation processes.
Additionally, include guidelines for conflict resolution, ensuring that staff members know how to address conflicts among themselves and report incidents of misconduct or non-compliance. Detail safety protocols and emergency procedures, mainly if your practice deals with medical emergencies, to ensure the safety of both staff and patients.
Compensation and Benefits
To attract and retain top talent, offer competitive compensation and benefits packages. Start by conducting market research to determine competitive salary and benefits structures for healthcare professionals in your area. Design comprehensive benefits packages that encompass health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and allowances for continuing education.
Consider implementing performance-based incentives to reward staff for exceptional performance and their commitment to providing outstanding patient care. Regularly conduct performance reviews to assess employee progress, provide constructive feedback, and discuss career development opportunities, fostering a motivated and skilled team dedicated to the well-being of your patients and the overall success of your medical practice.
Final Thoughts
You also want to ensure you have the proper state licensing and national provider number before you start your practice. And if you prescribe medication, you must have a DEA number, too.
As you navigate your journey to becoming a private practitioner, completing these action items will help you successfully start your own medical practice.
