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Practice support

Internal and external support

In terms of practice support, practice managers need to ensure that the services you are providing are supported by both your internal practice and the external healthcare system.

You also need to make certain there are no restrictions on any of the practitioners and/or the scope of services to be provided.

Internal support systems

  • Qualified staff.
  • Staff trained to the practice needs and mode of operation.
  • Mission, vision and values.
  • A practice culture committed to service standards.
  • Management structure.
  • Employment documents and contracts.
  • Job descriptions and organisational charts.
  • Induction/orientation programs for staff.
  • A good understanding and copies of relevant employment awards.
  • Policies and procedures manual.
  • Continuing educational development programs for all staff.
  • Equipment maintenance systems.
  • IT infrastructure capacity.
  • Stock control systems.
  • Work Health and Safety guidelines (formerly Occupational Health and Safety).
  • Financial/accountant/legal advice and assistance.
  • Professional colleague networks.
  • Patient follow-up systems.
  • Health promotion systems.
  • Risk management strategies.
  • Complaint handling systems.

External support systems

  • Equipment maintenance technicians (including IT support)
  • Building maintenance contractors.
  • Dependable medical suppliers.
  • Reliable electricity supply.
  • Back-up medical services for emergencies.
  • Reliable telecommunications, internet provider and IT systems.
  • appropriate qualifications and registrations for all practitioners and practice staff (e.g. practice nurses)
  • appropriate insurance/indemnity cover, both professional indemnity and practice policy indemnity.
  • appropriate licences (e.g. S8 drugs, radiology and pharmaceutical)
  • building and room requirements and compliance (e.g. radiology and pathology)
  • local council requirements and compliance (e.g. zoning, plaster waste in treatment rooms)
  • environmental protection authorities (e.g. waste disposal)
  • ongoing continuing professional development for all practitioners and practice staff (all recorded on a staff CPD register)
  • registration, licences and insurance register to ensure all renewals are up to date and copies of new certificates kept on file
  • standards and accreditation requirements

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  • AAPM Consider purchasing AAPM's Practice Manual and The Guide: Business Manual

This publication is proudly brought to you by Avant Mutual Group. The content was authored by Brett McPherson, reviewed by Colleen Sullivan and Avant Mutual Group.

This publication is not comprehensive and does not constitute legal or medical advice. You should seek legal or other professional advice before relying on any content, and practice proper clinical decision making with regard to the individual circumstances. Persons implementing any recommendations contained in this publication must exercise their own independent skill or judgment or seek appropriate professional advice relevant to their own particular practice. Compliance with any recommendations will not in any way guarantee discharge of the duty of care owed to patients and others coming into contact with the health professional or practice. Avant is not responsible to you or anyone else for any loss suffered in connection with the use of this information. Information is only current at the date initially published. © Avant Mutual Group Limited 2014.

IMPORTANT: Professional indemnity insurance products and Avant’s Practice Medical Indemnity Policy are issued by Avant Insurance Limited, ABN 82 003 707 471, AFSL 238 765. The information provided here is general advice only. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs before deciding to purchase or continuing to hold a policy with us. For full details including the terms, conditions, and exclusions that apply, please read and consider the policy wording and PDS, which is available at www.avant.org.au or by contacting us on 1800 128 268. Practices need to consider other forms of insurance including directors’ and officers’ liability, public and products liability, property and business interruption insurance, and workers compensation and you should contact your insurance broker for more information. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy. Any advice here does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the product is appropriate for you before deciding to purchase or continuing to hold a policy with us.