Every business experiences staff turnover. People have babies, move to new areas, develop new interests and change to what they perceive are "greener pastures." When a key manager leaves, you need to keep the business running while you find the right replacement. During these times I can:

• Provide interim management services and assist you in recruiting permanent staff for key management positions

• Provide on-going consultation to new or newly promoted staff until they become accustomed to the role and responsibilities

• Conduct partnership, physician group or board meetings

• Facilitate strategic planning, goal setting or general staff meetings

Here are some examples that illustrate how use of a consultant on an interim basis can be a cost effective, short-term solution to management vacancies.

• Interim management -- I acted as the interim manager of the Managed Care Department for a fully delegated medical group until they could interview internal and external candidates and make a good hiring decision. In this capacity I was responsible for eligibility, authorization and claims management operations for a medical group with about 10,000 lives.

• Coaching and mentoring -- The ophthalmology department of a large academic medical center needed an evaluation of the skills of an employee they thought could take over as a surgical coder for the practice. I evaluated the employee's skills, determined that she was qualified to do the job admirably and provided her with coaching and resources until she felt comfortable with her new role.

• Organizing and facilitating key meetings -- The medical services department of a large non-profit organization wanted to have an off-site strategic planning session where goals for the coming fiscal year would be discussed. I acted as the facilitator for the meeting then compiled a list of discussion items, decisions reached, action items and timeframes for action for each participant.