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Join waitlistSOP-01: New Patient Phone Call Procedure
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**Clozo Academy Proprietary Curriculum — The Rehab Clinic Growth System** **Version:** 2.0 Premium | **Classification:** Standard Operating Procedure
Purpose
This SOP governs every incoming phone inquiry to ensure maximum conversion from curious caller to scheduled evaluation. The average rehab clinic converts 35-45% of phone inquiries. Clinics following this SOP consistently achieve 70-85% conversion. This document is the single most important operations manual in your practice.
Scope
Applies to: All team members who answer incoming phone calls, including front desk staff, administrative assistants, and any provider who may take overflow calls.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Target | Measurement Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Inquiry-to-appointment conversion rate | 75%+ | Weekly |
| Average call duration | 4-7 minutes | Monthly review |
| Call answer rate (within 3 rings) | 95%+ | Daily |
| Voicemail callback time | <15 minutes | Daily |
| Appointment show rate from phone bookings | 85%+ | Weekly |
Decision Tree: Identify Caller Type
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INCOMING CALL
|
+---> Price Shopper ("How much do you charge?")
| +---> Use Script 1A: Bridge to Value
|
+---> Doctor Referral ("Dr. ___ sent me")
| +---> Use Script 1B: Warm Welcome + Authority Transfer
|
+---> Internet/Social Lead ("I saw your video/post")
| +---> Use Script 1C: Acknowledge Source + Connect
|
+---> Existing Patient ("I need to schedule/cancel")
| +---> Use Script 1D: Service + Opportunity Check
|
+---> General Inquiry ("What do you treat?")
+---> Use Script 1E: Education + Evaluation Offer
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Script 1A: Price Shopper — Bridge to Value
Trigger: Caller asks about price within the first 30 seconds.
Step 1: Acknowledge and Bridge (15 seconds)
"I appreciate you calling [Practice Name]. Before I share any numbers, I'd love to understand what you're dealing with so I can point you in exactly the right direction. Can you tell me a bit about what's been going on and how long it's been affecting you?"
Step 2: Active Listening (60-90 seconds)
Use their name at least twice.
Take detailed notes in the patient file.
Show empathy without diagnosing: "That sounds really frustrating." / "I can hear how much this is affecting your daily life."
Identify: primary complaint, duration, previous treatments, goals, insurance status.
Step 3: Present the Evaluation (30 seconds)
"Thank you for sharing that, [Name]. Based on what you've described, it sounds like you're dealing with [paraphrase]. Here's what I'd recommend: we start with a comprehensive 60-minute evaluation where one of our providers will do a full movement assessment, identify the root cause, and create a personalized treatment plan. The investment for that evaluation is $197, and if you decide to move forward with a treatment program within 7 days, that entire $197 is applied to your program."
Step 4: Handle Price Pushback
"I completely understand — budget matters. Here's what I can tell you: our complete programs range from $1,497 to $3,997 depending on exactly what you need. But honestly, until we do the evaluation, I don't know which program — if any — is the right fit for you. That's why every patient starts with the evaluation. Does Tuesday at 10 AM or Thursday at 2 PM work better for you?"
Step 5: Schedule with Options
Always offer two specific times, never "When works for you?"
If neither works, offer two more.
If they need to check their calendar: "No problem at all. I'll hold [time] for 24 hours. What's the best number to confirm?"
Step 6: Confirmation and Next Steps
"Excellent, you're all set for [day] at [time] with [provider name]. You'll receive a confirmation text and email with everything you need. Please arrive 10 minutes early to complete your intake forms. Wear comfortable clothing. And [Name], I'm genuinely looking forward to helping you get back to [their stated goal]. See you [day]!"
Script 1B: Doctor Referral — Warm Welcome + Authority Transfer
Trigger: Caller mentions a physician referral.
Step 1: Acknowledge the Referral (15 seconds)
"Welcome to [Practice Name]! Dr. [Name] has referred many patients to us over the years, and we're honored to be part of your care team. That tells me you have a physician who genuinely cares about getting you the right help."
Step 2: Gather Information (60 seconds)
Collect: full name, date of birth, contact information, condition, referral source, insurance information, preferred times.
Document the referring physician name for relationship tracking.
Step 3: Explain the Process (30 seconds)
"Based on what Dr. [Name] shared, it sounds like you're dealing with [condition]. Our approach always starts with a comprehensive 60-minute evaluation. We'll assess your movement, identify the root cause, and create a personalized plan. Many of Dr. [Name]'s patients have [specific positive outcome]. When would work best — mornings, afternoons, or evenings?"
Step 4: Schedule and Confirm
Match urgency to availability. Referred patients often need to be seen within 48-72 hours.
Send confirmation within 5 minutes.
Notify the referring physician's office of the appointment date (builds trust and reciprocity).
Script 1C: Internet/Social Lead — Acknowledge Source + Connect
Trigger: Caller found you through digital marketing.
Step 1: Acknowledge Their Journey (15 seconds)
"Great to hear from you! Did you see one of our videos, read an article, or download a guide?"
Step 2: Connect to Content (30 seconds)
"Wonderful. Many of the people who come to us from [platform] are dealing with [common condition related to content]. Is that what brought you in, or is it something different?"
Step 3: Build on Established Value (45 seconds)
"That makes complete sense. What we find is that most people in your situation have tried [common approaches] without lasting results. Our approach is different because [key differentiator from your content]. The best way to see if we're the right fit is to start with our comprehensive evaluation. I have an opening on [day] at [time] or [day] at [time]. Which works better?"
Script 1D: Existing Patient — Service + Opportunity Check
Trigger: Current patient calls for scheduling, questions, or concerns.
Step 1: Warm Recognition (10 seconds)
"Hi [Name]! It's great to hear from you. How are you feeling since your last visit?"
Step 2: Handle Primary Request
Scheduling: Accommodate immediately if possible.
Questions: Answer or escalate to provider within 2 hours.
Concerns: Listen fully, empathize, and commit to resolution timeline.
Step 3: Opportunity Check (if appropriate)
"Before we wrap up, [Name], I wanted to let you know about [relevant service, workshop, or family offer]. Since you're already coming in, it might be a great fit. Would you like me to add information to your file for your provider to discuss?"
Script 1E: General Inquiry — Education + Evaluation Offer
Trigger: Caller asks general questions about services.
Step 1: Brief Education (45 seconds)
"At [Practice Name], we specialize in [specific conditions]. We use a [specific approach] that focuses on [key differentiator]. We work with patients who are dealing with everything from [condition A] to [condition B], and our goal is always [specific outcome]."
Step 2: Transition to Evaluation (30 seconds)
"The best way to determine if we're the right fit for your specific situation is through our comprehensive evaluation. It's a 60-minute one-on-one session where we assess your movement, identify the root cause, and create a personalized plan. The investment is $197, which is applied to any treatment program if you move forward within 7 days. Would you like to get that scheduled?"
Quality Assurance
Call Recording and Review Protocol
Recording: All calls are recorded with a notification: "This call may be recorded for quality assurance."
Sampling: 5 calls per week per phone-answering staff member are randomly selected for review.
Review Criteria:
Greeting warmth and professionalism (1-5)
Active listening and note-taking (1-5)
Value presentation before price (1-5)
Handling of objections (1-5)
Close attempt and success (1-5)
Overall conversion likelihood (1-5)
Scoring: 25/25 = Exceptional. 20-24 = Strong. 15-19 = Needs coaching. Below 15 = Immediate retraining.
Feedback: Review results discussed in weekly 15-minute one-on-one. Celebrate wins. Coach gaps.
Technology Requirements
Phone System: Must support call recording, transfer, hold, and voicemail-to-email.
Caller ID Integration: Patient name pops on screen when matching phone number is in system.
Call Tracking: Unique numbers for each marketing channel (CallRail or equivalent).
Scheduling Software: Real-time availability visible to all phone staff.
CRM/EMR Integration: Notes from call auto-save to patient record.
Escalation Path
| Situation | First Response | Escalation | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caller requests provider by name | Transfer if available | Take message if not | Immediate |
| Caller is in acute distress | Provide immediate empathy + same-day appointment offer | Escalate to clinical director | Within 5 minutes |
| Caller asks about insurance not on file | Explain verification process | Escalate to billing if complex | Same day |
| Caller is upset about previous experience | Listen fully + acknowledge + offer resolution | Escalate to office manager | Immediate |
| Caller wants to cancel permanently | Win-back protocol (see SOP-06) | Escalate to provider if high-value patient | Same day |
Training Schedule
| Week | Focus | Duration | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Script memorization + role-play | 2 hours | Group training |
| 2 | Live call observation + feedback | 4 hours | Shadow + practice |
| 3 | Independent call handling with oversight | Full time | Supervised |
| 4 | Quality review + refinement | 1 hour | Review + coaching |
| Ongoing | Weekly call review + script updates | 30 min | One-on-one |
Compliance Notes
All patient information collected on calls is protected under HIPAA.
Call recordings are stored securely with access limited to authorized personnel.
Staff are trained annually on HIPAA phone compliance.
No clinical advice is given over the phone without provider approval.
Clozo Academy Proprietary Curriculum — The Rehab Clinic Growth System
SOP Version 2.0 | Last Updated: 2024