Welcome to the Hot Topics Blog
Monday, November 2, 2009
Staffing for EMR (3:29 PM)
Staffing for EMR
Cristina Boggiano, Ophthalmic Staffing Specialist: Cristina@theophthalmicassociates.com
Upon returning from a recent industry meeting, one of the most common topics of conversation and concern was the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR). While there is much planning and forethought that goes into implementing EMR, once the decision is made concerns about staffing for this project must be confronted.
The first step is to outline what the practice goals are for this process of automation. Meet with your staff and make clear to them what post implementation goals are. Once you have your current staff on board, consider any personnel needs. Be sure not to underestimate your staffing needs, especially in the transitioning process. Despite what some practices might think, EMR does not necessarily enable a work force reduction, especially in the beginning.
A practice or ophthalmic institution has several options for delegation of work. The most straightforward approach would be to invest in your current employees. Once you have discussed the choice to initiate EMR, expand the duties of those staff that are enthusiastic about the change. If your staff is willing to absorb new responsibilities, those ancillary positions such as medical records staff can be gradually phased out over time.
Addition of permanent IT staff is not absolutely necessary and all depends upon the system you choose. Larger practices that choose locally hosted systems are more likely to need a permanent IT employee. Smaller practices that use online systems could be better served by hiring an IT consultant for the initial stages of implementation. Technology consultants come with different skill sets and it is important to have a checklist for your practice. Ask prospective consultants the right questions to determine how they will complete the work.
Taking on EMR can be both an exciting and challenging experience. There are several components that lay the foundation for a smooth transition with staffing and personnel being at the cornerstone. Take time to plan and prepare with every aspect of this investment and the efficiencies and revenue generated should pay off in dividends.
Cristina Boggiano, Ophthalmic Staffing Specialist: Cristina@theophthalmicassociates.com
Upon returning from a recent industry meeting, one of the most common topics of conversation and concern was the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR). While there is much planning and forethought that goes into implementing EMR, once the decision is made concerns about staffing for this project must be confronted.
The first step is to outline what the practice goals are for this process of automation. Meet with your staff and make clear to them what post implementation goals are. Once you have your current staff on board, consider any personnel needs. Be sure not to underestimate your staffing needs, especially in the transitioning process. Despite what some practices might think, EMR does not necessarily enable a work force reduction, especially in the beginning.
A practice or ophthalmic institution has several options for delegation of work. The most straightforward approach would be to invest in your current employees. Once you have discussed the choice to initiate EMR, expand the duties of those staff that are enthusiastic about the change. If your staff is willing to absorb new responsibilities, those ancillary positions such as medical records staff can be gradually phased out over time.
Addition of permanent IT staff is not absolutely necessary and all depends upon the system you choose. Larger practices that choose locally hosted systems are more likely to need a permanent IT employee. Smaller practices that use online systems could be better served by hiring an IT consultant for the initial stages of implementation. Technology consultants come with different skill sets and it is important to have a checklist for your practice. Ask prospective consultants the right questions to determine how they will complete the work.
Taking on EMR can be both an exciting and challenging experience. There are several components that lay the foundation for a smooth transition with staffing and personnel being at the cornerstone. Take time to plan and prepare with every aspect of this investment and the efficiencies and revenue generated should pay off in dividends.
Labels: EMR, Health Information Technology, Staffing
Friday, September 18, 2009
New Ways to Train Your Staff (10:45 AM)
Yvonne Martin, Business Management Group, ymartin@bmgnow.com
Take the time to measure and train your staff. Have some friends come through the practice or enlist a business person from one of your organizations to take an objective view of your practice as a patient. We will often cut corners and then it becomes a practice having “fresh eyes” go through and give you and objective opinion will help you stay on the path of good customer service. If you have staff members who are not measuring up, take the time for some retraining, perhaps corners were cut or you were just too busy at the time they were trained.
Take the time to measure and train your staff. Have some friends come through the practice or enlist a business person from one of your organizations to take an objective view of your practice as a patient. We will often cut corners and then it becomes a practice having “fresh eyes” go through and give you and objective opinion will help you stay on the path of good customer service. If you have staff members who are not measuring up, take the time for some retraining, perhaps corners were cut or you were just too busy at the time they were trained.
Labels: Ophthalmology, Staffing, Training
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Staffing Issues (3:53 PM)
Staffing issues
Yvonne Martin, CEO, Business Management Group
ymartin@bmgnow.com
Look at your community for help, with the job market tighter than ever, there is the opportunity for an internship program in your practice. Get together with local junior colleges, boys and girls clubs, High schools, Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations. Train volunteers to help with various jobs within the practice. It will help ready them for the job market and provide a much needed working reference and will help with the overload in your practice and who knows…you might find just the right person for a position in your practice.
Yvonne Martin, CEO, Business Management Group
ymartin@bmgnow.com
Look at your community for help, with the job market tighter than ever, there is the opportunity for an internship program in your practice. Get together with local junior colleges, boys and girls clubs, High schools, Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations. Train volunteers to help with various jobs within the practice. It will help ready them for the job market and provide a much needed working reference and will help with the overload in your practice and who knows…you might find just the right person for a position in your practice.
Labels: Staffing
