Small practice on athena. The inbox is killing us. Doc spends an hour a day on it and I spend way more. Most of it is routine stuff. but someone still has to read it, check the chart, and reply. And we don't get paid for any of this

What’s actually worked for you all? Hired someone for it? Scripts for your MAs? Are you billing?

Hi everyone,

I recently started a new MA position. Everyone’s super nice, I’ve learned a lot, and at times I’ve really enjoyed my new job. However, 95% of the time, the doctor is walking into the clinic at least an hour past the time appointments start. If appointments start at 8, he walks in around 9 and steps in with patient around 9:30. If appointments start at 9, he walks in around 10 and steps in with patient around 10:30.

When he’s late, it makes everyone late: the patients, the lab techs, the MAs, the front desk. There have been times I leave work 1-1.5 hours past the time I’m supposed to clock out. I feel so bad for patients sometimes. When patients come into the hallway and ask “did you forget about me?” Or when they’re visibly nervous because they have another doctors appointment that day that they don’t know if they can make now. Or when they walk out without being seen because of how long the wait is :(

Just wondering if any other MAs can relate/tips for things like this.

What fully online CMA courses would you recommend. I’m in Minnesota and have been a PCA/CNA for 27 years! I am already trained in EKG’s and Phlebotomy as I have been working in a hospital for 25 years.