COE Human Resources Questions and Answers

Question 1

An ophthalmic practice has an employee who has been consistently late for their shift, impacting patient flow.
The practice manager has already had an informal conversation with the employee, but the behavior continues.
According to the principles of progressive discipline, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Issue a formal verbal warning and document it in the employee's file.

Answer

Immediately suspend the employee for one day without pay.

Answer

Terminate the employment relationship due to insubordination.

Answer

Assign the employee to a less critical role within the practice.

Question 2

For an ophthalmic practice to be considered a 'covered employer' under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), it must meet which of the following criteria?

Accepted Answer

Employ 50 or more employees for 20 or more workweeks in the current or preceding year.

Answer

Employ 15 or more employees for 20 or more workweeks.

Answer

Have an annual revenue exceeding $500,000.

Answer

Be affiliated with a hospital or academic institution.

Question 3

During an interview for an Ophthalmic Technician position, which of the following questions is legally permissible for the hiring manager to ask?

Accepted Answer

Are you able to lift 25 pounds and assist patients in and out of exam chairs, with or without reasonable accommodation?

Answer

Do you have any children or plan to start a family soon?

Answer

Have you ever been arrested?

Answer

What year did you graduate from high school?

Question 4

A practice manager is classifying a new lead Ophthalmic Scribe. The employee is paid a salary of $60,000 per year and their primary duties involve documenting physician-patient encounters in the EHR, with no supervisory or significant independent decision-making responsibilities. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), how should this employee most likely be classified?

Accepted Answer

Non-exempt, because their duties do not meet the 'duties test' for exemption.

Answer

Exempt, because they are paid a salary.

Answer

Exempt, under the professional exemption for healthcare workers.

Answer

Non-exempt, because all clinical support staff are automatically non-exempt.

Question 5

An ophthalmic practice is creating a comprehensive job description for a new Billing Specialist role. To ensure legal compliance and effectively manage performance, which component is most critical to include?

Accepted Answer

A detailed outline of the 'essential functions' of the job.

Answer

A list of preferred, but not required, software skills.

Answer

The specific salary range for the position.

Answer

The name and title of the direct supervisor.

Question 6

Which of the following is a primary goal of a structured employee onboarding program, extending beyond the initial orientation and paperwork completion?

Accepted Answer

To integrate the new hire into the practice's culture and align them with performance expectations.

Answer

To ensure the employee's direct deposit and tax forms are processed within 24 hours.

Answer

To provide the employee with their complete benefits package for at-home review.

Answer

To test the new hire's existing clinical knowledge through a written assessment.