Insights into Practice Management

Lamia Murray shares her experiences and insights on her journey to becoming a Practice Manager.

What is a Practice Manager?

Practice Management is much more than “sitting behind a desk’ and doing paperwork all day. Ultimately you are the eyes, ears and brains of the business. It’s a role demanding a direct approach ensuring that our patients receive outstanding care.  You are responsible for the day-to-day running of the practice certifying you are meeting the business needs in the best interest of both the patients and your members of staff.

Which Pathway did I take?

Lamia Murray started her Dental career back in 2017 as an Apprentice Dental Nurse at a Fully private practice in Leicester gaining experience in Oral Surgery and Implant Dentistry. Lamia then went onto broaden her skill set at a busy mixed NHS and Private Practice not far from Leicester City Centre where she Qualified as a Dental Nurse and taking on extra duties with Reception and helping the owners and her manager develop their 2^nd Dental Practice that was opened in 2021. After 4 years of working for this practice Lamia decided it was time to spread her wings and develop even further in her career in 2022 and became a Dental Treatment Coordinator at an Orthodontic Practice in Nottingham City Centre, during this role Lamia took patients along an enhanced and well looked after smile journey, making sure that they were looked after and satisfied at all times but also being the patients first point of call if needing anything. After working with this Practice for over a year Lamia decided to progress even further into her career becoming a Dental Practice Manager. Shortly after starting her role as a PM, Lamia was faced with the immediate battle of CQC inspections, gaining acceptance from the staff and finding ways of developing the practice.

What inspired me to become a Practice Manager?

Lamia wanted to become a Practice Manager because she knew she could help people. Lamia enjoys nothing more than helping to coach and develop other people and boost their skill sets helping them to become the best versions of themselves and an even greater Dental Care Professional. Lamia has always considered herself as a leader who is very supportive and empathetic of other people. Lamia expresses that her inspiration came from training up Trainee Dental Nurses and new Dental Receptionists ensuring they became the very best at their job in the best interest of themselves, the practice and the patients also. Lamia had the privilege of helping her previous workplaces with their compliance. Lamia is extremely passionate with driving her practice to places it has never been to before. I.e.. boosting Private sales, taking part in wedding fayre’s, hosting open days and being open to different and new technology.

What helped me when first starting out as a Practice Manager?

I was able to relate to my staff as I understood having done most roles within the practice, I could empathize because I had been in their shoes making it easy for my staff to come and approach me with absolutely anything. Having the clinical knowledge massively helps when dealing with issues and or queries within the practice and helping when developing my team. Another thing that helped when me when I first started out as a PM was having the self-belief and confidence, telling myself that it is okay to make mistakes along the way as this makes us better people and gives us room to improve and learn from these mistakes and from this growing into an even better Practice Manager. It’s important going in with an open mind and being accepting of what comes your way. When tackling situations or dealing with conflict I had implemented techniques that I had seen from my previous managers that I could adapt with my own twist.

Tips for others looking at Practice Management:

Lamia Murray shares her 5 top tips for DCP’s looking at Practice Management:

1.        Staying humble

2.        Being approachable

3.        Being understanding

4.        Able to multitask.

5.        Able to balance stress.

By Following these 5 top tips, it will ease you into the role of a Practice Manager