17 Physician Practice Manager Interview Questions and Answers

A physician practice manager is responsible for the daily operations of a medical practice. He or she may oversee a team of office staff, coordinate patient care, handle finances, and ensure that the practice runs smoothly.

If you’re considering a career as a physician practice manager, you’ll need to know how to answer common interview questions. This guide will give you some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the current laws and regulations regarding medical practice management?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are aware of the laws and regulations that apply to medical practice management. This can be an important skill for a physician practice manager, as they must ensure their practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations. In your answer, try to show that you understand these laws and regulations and how they affect physician practice managers.

Example: “Yes, I am very familiar with the current laws and regulations regarding medical practice management. As part of my education in medical administration, I took several courses on medical law and ethics. These courses helped me learn about the legal requirements for physicians and physician practice managers. I also regularly read articles on new legislation and regulation changes so I can stay up-to-date on any changes.”

What are some of the most important qualities that a physician practice manager should have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest qualities that make you qualified for this position.

Example: “I believe some of the most important qualities a physician practice manager should have are strong communication skills, problem-solving skills and organizational skills. These skills allow me to effectively communicate with my team members, solve problems as they arise and keep track of all necessary information within the office.”

How would you deal with a conflict between two physicians in the practice?

As a practice manager, you may need to resolve conflicts between physicians in the workplace. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with conflict resolution and how you would handle it. In your answer, explain that you would first try to understand both sides of the argument. Then, you would meet with each physician individually to discuss their concerns. Finally, you would work with them to find a solution that satisfies everyone involved.

Example: “I’ve had to help two physicians resolve a conflict before, and I always start by listening to both sides of the story. After hearing from both doctors, I met with each one separately to learn more about their perspective. Once I understood what was going on, I helped them come up with a compromise so they could continue working together.”

What is your experience with managing budgets and financial records in a medical practice?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with financial management and budgeting. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills you have that help you manage budgets effectively, such as strong organizational or analytical skills.

Example: “In my previous role as practice manager for a small medical clinic, I was responsible for managing the entire budget of the facility. This included overseeing all expenditures and ensuring we had enough funds to cover our expenses each month. To do this, I created monthly reports detailing how much money we spent on supplies, equipment repairs and other important costs. I also worked with the accounting department to ensure they were submitting accurate invoices and payments.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to help a physician improve their patient care practices.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and ability to coach others. In your answer, try to describe a situation where you helped a physician improve their patient care practices and the steps you took to help them develop these skills.

Example: “In my previous role as practice manager, I had a physician who was very friendly with his patients but often rushed through appointments. After speaking with him about it, he realized that he could take more time with each patient without affecting his schedule. He started by taking a few extra minutes at the end of each appointment to ask how they were feeling and if there was anything else they needed from him.”

If a physician consistently had a high turnover rate among their staff members, what would you do?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you might handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “If I encountered this issue, I would first try to speak with the physician about what they could do differently to improve their staff retention rate. If that didn’t work, I would meet with the staff member who was leaving to find out why they were leaving. This information may allow me to address any issues before they become larger problems. For example, if a staff member is leaving because of a lack of respect from the physician, I may be able to resolve the issue by speaking with the physician.”

What would you do if a patient had a billing issue that you were unable to resolve?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with patients. In your answer, explain how you would try to resolve the issue and what steps you would take if you were unable to solve it.

Example: “If a patient had a billing issue that I was unable to resolve, I would contact my supervisor or manager for help. If they were unavailable, I would find another person in management who could assist me. I would do everything in my power to ensure the patient’s satisfaction while also following company policy.”

How well do you handle stress and pressure?

As a physician practice manager, you may be responsible for managing many different tasks and projects at once. Employers ask this question to make sure that you have the ability to handle stress in your role. In your answer, share how you manage stress and pressure effectively. Explain what strategies you use to stay organized and focused on your work.

Example: “I find that I am able to handle stress quite well. Throughout my career as a nurse, I’ve had to balance many responsibilities at once. This has helped me develop organizational skills and time management techniques. I also find that having a positive attitude helps me overcome challenges and stressful situations. If something goes wrong, I try to remain calm and think of a solution. By remaining composed, I can focus on finding an effective solution.”

Do you have experience using medical software to track patient records and appointments?

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with using technology in a medical setting. If you have experience using software to track patient records and appointments, share what type of software you used and how it helped you perform your job duties.

Example: “I’ve worked in two different practices that use electronic health record systems to keep track of patients’ medical histories and appointment schedules. I find these types of programs helpful because they allow me to access patient information quickly when needed. For example, if I need to look up a patient’s immunization history or blood test results, I can easily pull up their file on my computer.”

When is the best time to perform a physical examination on a patient?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of medical procedures and how you apply them in a clinical setting. When answering, consider the specific situation that prompted the question and provide an example from your experience.

Example: “The best time to perform a physical examination is when I suspect something’s wrong with a patient. For instance, if a patient comes into my office complaining of chest pain, I’ll first take their vital signs and then perform a physical exam to look for any abnormalities or other symptoms. This helps me determine whether they need additional tests or treatment.”

We want to improve our patient satisfaction scores. What would you do to achieve this?

Patient satisfaction is an important metric for many healthcare facilities. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience improving patient satisfaction scores and how you would do it. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to improve the facility’s patient satisfaction score.

Example: “I would first find out why our patients are dissatisfied with their care. I would then use that information to create a plan to improve those areas of concern. For example, if we had low satisfaction scores because of long wait times, I would work with my team to find ways to reduce wait times. If we had low satisfaction scores due to rude staff members, I would train all staff on appropriate customer service techniques.”

Describe your process for managing a physician’s caseload.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage a physician’s caseload. Use examples from past experiences to describe your process for managing multiple tasks at once, as well as your ability to delegate responsibilities to other staff members.

Example: “I first assess each physician’s workload by reviewing their schedule for the week. I then compare this information with our current patient load to determine which cases are most urgent. For example, if we have an influx of patients in one department, I may need to reassign some physicians to that area to ensure all patients receive care within a reasonable amount of time.

After assessing the urgency of each case, I assign each physician to specific cases based on their expertise. This helps me ensure that each physician is working on cases they feel comfortable handling while also ensuring that each patient receives the best possible care.”

What makes you stand out from other physician practice managers?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what makes you unique. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or quality that is important for physician practice managers.

Example: “I think one of my greatest strengths as a physician practice manager is my ability to communicate effectively with physicians and other staff members. I have found that many conflicts in healthcare facilities are due to miscommunication, so I make sure to always clearly explain any changes or updates to employees. This helps ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.”

Which management practices do you prefer and why?

This question can help the interviewer understand your management style and how you would approach managing a team of physicians. Your answer should reflect your preferred management practices, but it’s also important to explain why you prefer them so that the interviewer can better understand your thought process.

Example: “I believe in being as transparent as possible with my team members about their performance reviews and goals for improvement. I find this helps keep everyone on track and motivated throughout the year. Another practice I highly value is regular communication between myself and other managers. I think it’s important to meet regularly with other department heads to discuss any issues or concerns they may have.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a physician’s job?

This question is a great way to determine what the hiring manager values in their employees. It can also be an opportunity for you to show that you value the same things and how your skills will benefit the organization.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of a physician’s job is patient care. I believe it is our responsibility as physicians to ensure we are providing the best possible care to all of our patients, regardless of whether they are paying out-of-pocket or have insurance. This means being available when needed, making sure we communicate with our patients about any changes in treatment plans and ensuring that we are always learning new ways to improve our practice.”

How often should physicians see their own physician?

This question can help interviewers understand your opinion on the importance of physician-patient relationships. It can also show how you might handle conflict between physicians and their patients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you helped a patient see their doctor more often.

Example: “I believe that physicians should always make time for their patients. I once had a patient who was having trouble getting an appointment with her primary care physician. She was very concerned about her symptoms and wanted to speak with her doctor as soon as possible. I spoke with the physician and explained the urgency of the situation. He agreed to see her right away, and she felt much better after speaking with him.”

There is a physician shortage in your area. What would you do to attract more doctors to your practice?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to attract new talent. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific steps you would take to recruit more doctors or other medical professionals to the area.

Example: “I would start by reaching out to local universities and offering them discounts on our services for students who choose to work with us after graduation. I would also reach out to nearby hospitals and offer to hire their residents when they are ready to transition into private practice. This could help alleviate some of the pressure from the hospital system.”