10-16-2023

Kirby Lewis

Wk 5- Summative Assessment

Job Title: Director, Revenue Cycle Operations

Job posting link: https://g.co/kgs/ryrCmY

What communication skills do you believe are most important for success in this role?

Revenue cycle management plays an incredibly integrative role in healthcare and having strong
communication skills is crucial in being successful in a leadership role. I believe the most important
communication skills for success in the Director of Revenue Cycle Operations are as follows:
understanding of technology skills, having he capability to see the big picture, the ability to build
connections, and having the capacity to educate and mentor others. (Harmony Healthcare, LLC. 2020)
Technology is vital in revenue cycle management. Directors and executives need a deep understanding of
how to use technology systems such as EHRs, EMRs. Being able to see the bigger picture allows revenue
cycle leaders to coordinate with hospital operations across multiple levels. Building connections is more
important than ever for revenue cycle leaders to build bridges and collaborate across multiple areas and
having the capacity to educate and mentor others creates teachable moments to bridge
interdepartmental relationships and to foster communication at all levels.

Why are these skills so important for career success and progression?

Communication skills are fundamental to career development and progression. They enable us to
express our ideas clearly, understand others, and build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
In revenue cycle management, these skills are extremely important to career success and progression
because being able to connect with someone in this role is vital. It is common for directors of revenue
cycle management to have to communicate with C-Level professionals (Chief Executives). For some, the
thought of presenting to or even having to talk to a chief executive can be overwhelming and
intimidating. However, being able to communicate with the highest-level executives effectively and
comfortably can help individuals build trust with the chief executives and this could lead to career
advancement and success. (USC Annenberg, 2023) Understanding of technology skills in revenue cycle
management such as EHRs and EMRs will be increasingly necessary to streamline the billings and
collections process. Revenue cycle leaders play a critical role in patient registration and patient and staff
education as well as claims being billed and collected in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

What are your strongest and weakest communication skills, and what is your plan for developing your
communication skills in alignment with this career path?
My strongest communication skills include organizing ideas and information logically and completely.
Expressing ideas and information clearly and persuasively. The ability to give constructive criticism and
feedback in a non-derogatory manner. Actively listening to others, communicating effectively with
people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, being honest, and the ability to empathize.
Communication skills are vital for building rapport, resolving conflicts, and providing accurate and timely
information. Another strong communication skill I have is information technology in revenue cycle
management. I have experience in several reputable EHRs, EMRs and experience with multiple Practice
Management Systems.

My weakest communication skill is using a less effective medium of communication. There are different
mediums in communication. They can be in the form of written, oral, or even in gestures and body
language. Some people are better at written communication, and others are better when using speech.
Some news and messages are better delivered in written, and others in oral. I need to be able to identify
what would be the more effective medium in communication to team members when delivering
messages. Some messages such as how-to guides of new procedures may need to be delivered face to
face instead of in a written email. Everyone retains and learns material and/or information differently so
choosing the more effective medium in communication would prove to be more beneficial and in turn
contribute to the success of the organization.

My plan for developing my communication skills in alignment with my career path is preparing ahead of
time. Preparing ahead of time would improve my weakest communication skills in using less effective
mediums of communication because I would do the necessary research to know which communication
method would be more effective in communicating with my team members. Revenue cycle management
directors must navigate between healthcare staff, administration, patients, insurers, and many others to
deliver the solutions needed for the long-term viability of their hospital systems. (Harmony Healthcare,
LLC 2020) I will also develop a workplace communication strategy. A community strategy is the
framework within which your business conveys and receives information. Creating an outline on how
and what to communicate to team members ensures that everyone receives the correct information at
the right time. Lastly, I would work on my non-verbal communication skills as well as observing others’
non-verbal communication skills. Leaders must be especially adept at reading nonverbal cues as well as
be mindful of our own facial expressions, and gestures because body language can, and often does, say
more than our words. Our nonverbal cues must, at all times, support our message.
Work Cited:

Harmony Healthcare, LLC. (2020, December 4). 5 crucial people skills for revenue cycle management
leaders. Harmony Healthcare. https://harmony.solutions/5-crucial-people-skills-for-revenue-
cycle-management-leaders/

USC Annenberg. (2023, April 4). Why is effective communication important to career success?. USC
Online Communication Degree. https://communicationmgmt.usc.edu/blog/improve-workplace-
communication/