Luminello is teaming up with SimplePractice. Current customers can learn more about the change. Not a Luminello customer? Explore your options.

Private Practice Hub

6 tips for creating a manageable schedule in private practice

One of the most challenging, albeit alluring, aspects of private practice is constructing your own schedule. On the one hand, being able to control your schedule allows for flexibility that cannot be attained in more structured work settings. On the other hand, the temptation to meet every patient’s scheduling needs can lead to working long hours and sometimes with major gaps of time between each patient. While working hours that are less preferable can possibly result in seeing more patients, it can also lead to quick burnout and can even reduce clinical effectiveness if providers do not want to be there. Whether you are just getting started in private practice or have been established for a while, it is important to balance your desire to get patients and build your practice with developing a schedule that is realistic and sustainable over the long-term. What follows are some tips to consider to help you develop a schedule that works for you.

1. Watch your own clock

  • Consider how long you want to be at the office (an average workday is 8 hours)
  • The high-demand hours in private practice tend to be before and after work. Consider picking “early start” days and “stay late” days. Try to avoid starting early and ending late on the same day, as this could lead to being in the office for 12 hour days.

2. Identify a realistic number of patients you can see in a day

  • Consider how many total patients you can see in a day and still be energetic, focused, and engaged.
  • This number varies from person to person, but most say between 5-7 is an ideal number to see in a day.

3. Know your limits

  • When do you need a break?
    • Some prefer the “power through” approach – seeing patients back-to-back and working shorter days.
    • Others prefer the “slow but steady” approach – working longer days but building in breaks between patients.

4. Pick your ideal schedule in advance

  • Generate a calendar of your available slots in advance and try to maintain your boundaries by only seeing patients at those specific times.
    • Many patients will ask to meet at other times, but if you make too many exceptions, you will end up working much longer hours or seeing more patients than intended.
    • If you hold firm on your available slots, patients often find a way to accommodate or you will eventually fill those times with people who can, even if it takes a little longer
  • Be willing to make exceptions every now and then
    • If you are really interested in working with someone, it might be worth seeing them at a time you would otherwise block off.

5. End sessions on time

  • Most providers schedule 50-minute sessions to allow themselves time between sessions to use the restroom, eat a snack, or complete administrative tasks.
  • Consider giving your patients a 5 minute warning so they know you are getting ready to wind down the session.
  • Many patients appreciate the structure and predictability of ending on time, and the next patients will certainly appreciate your timeliness.

6. Build in time for administrative tasks

  • Consider scheduling in time to accomplish the administrative tasks. If you don’t schedule this time during working hours, you will have to make up for it during your personal time, which could lead to burnout.
    • Administrative tasks may include: returning calls/emails, writing notes, or preparing for sessions.
Share:

Contact us

Let us help you build and grow your practice

Strategy from the experts, delivered to your doorstep.

Groups Pricing

THERAPIST LITE
THERAPIST UNLIMITED
PRESCRIBE LITE
PRESCRIBE UNLIMITED
Pay Annually
(per month, per clinician)

$19

$39

$79

$119

Pay Monthly
(per month, per clinician)

$29

$49

$99

$149

AMA CPT® code annual use license

Prescriber Pricing

ERX ONLY PLAN
PRESCRIBER LITE
PRESCRIBER UNLIMITED
Pay Annually
(per month, per clinician)

$39

$79

$119

Pay Monthly
(per month, per clinician)

$49

$99

$149

Therapist Pricing

ESSENTIALS
THERAPIST LITE
THERAPIST UNLIMITED
Pay Annually
(per month, per clinician)

$0

$19

$39

Pay Monthly
(per month, per clinician)

$0

$29

$49

Monitor clinician & practice quality indicators

Measurement-based care

Practice management reports

Notes per month

Group Practice: Total EMR Cost Comparison

Group practice pricing calculator

Select the number of licenses for your team from each plan to see the subscription cost.

Group practices

Automated chart importing

Unlimited admin assistants

Invoicing + auto-pay

Pre-screen form in public profile

Get started with paperwork quickly!

Additional premium-plan support options

Expand Your Practice with Telehealth

Expand Your Practice with Telehealth

E-prescribing

Custom chart importing

We offer additional help to make importing your data and charts faster and easier.

Insurance claim submissions

Easily submit insurance claims via our partner ApexEDI

Integrate credit card payments into your charts

Live customer support    Chart integration    Portal payments

Together with our partner Bluefin, we offer credit card functionality integrated into your charts, client/patient portal payments, competitive rates, PCI security compliance support, and a human on the other end of the phone if you have questions.

credit card pricing

Contact us or Bluefin directly at 800-675-6573 ext:7802

Custom forms & templates

Hire us to create custom questionnaires and templates for you.

Order labs electronically

Enhanced messaging

Enhanced patient/client portal

Patients/clients can:

Keep your practice in sync

Manages your tasks across your entire practice and every chart

Charts shortcuts

Save time. Let them book online.

Online booking allows your patients/clients to book appointment via the portal for exactly when, what, and where you specify.

Easy-to-use rating scales

Integrated assessment tools with just a few clicks.

Create custom questionnaires

Our questionnaire form builder allows you to create your own forms for your patients/clients to complete.

Create custom note templates

Our form builder allows you to create your own unique note templates for your practice.

E-prescribing

Due to the highly regulated nature of e-prescribing, set up is a multi-step process that includes identity proofing, working with a “trusted assistant” and setting up a second device to give you one-time codes. But don’t worry, we’re here to get you through it…and we promise e-prescribing is a breeze once set-up is complete!