Staff members are assets to success and profitability. Keeping staff happy and satisfied is important as that has a direct effect on productivity and efficiency levels. A content workforce is more productive and they perform their tasks the best and deal with patients in a personalized manner. You can appreciate employees and make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to getting trained on a new Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software system. A better and user-friendly EHR software solution for small private practices can help streamline daily workflows by automating administrative tasks which can take the workload off staff members so they can concentrate on the patient.
6 tips to ensure that staff members are productive in a practice
- Make sure staff members are working as a team – Medical practices need staff members that work well and most importantly work together without any rifts. Working in collaboration to the best of their capabilities can ensure maximum productivity. Management can keep track by running frequent reports to monitor performance levels and communicate with them any potential problems that may arise during the day. By seamless communication, you can keep them motivated and ensure everyone is happy working.
- Using the existing EHR software system to increase productivity – Once an EMR software is deployed you need to make sure that your staff members are comfortable using it to take advantage of its functionalities. Successful training consists of ongoing feedback and tutorials.
- Delegate tasks to staff members – When you delegate tasks to each of your staff members they know exactly what to do and hence know their responsibility well. For example, you can ask nurses and medical assistants for information such as vital signs, problem lists, and family histories in the electronic chart.
- Hold employees accountable – Any issues need to be addressed as soon as possible to keep problems at bay. For example, if a healthcare provider finds in the exam room that the MA has not taken the patient’s vitals then he/she should immediately ask the MA to complete the task to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Behavior can be evaluated and corrected to boost staff efficiency.
- Frame goals to enhance performance – By setting goals employees will be motivated to perform at a certain level and maintain this productivity. Goals can be personalized according to each staff member and then they can work towards that specific aim. Incentives should be provided when your employees meet their goals, these can include a thank you note from a physician, a certificate, or a small celebratory party. The most effective way to motivate staff members is by giving them rewards and incentives according to the WHO.
- Give importance to their mental health – Due to work stress in the taxing field of healthcare leads to mental health issues. This includes depression which impacts productivity levels and can cause an increase in human errors. 25% of workers in the United States reported they undergo mental health problems. Your practice and clinic should have a psychologist on board who can offer free consultations to your employees whenever they require treatment. By keeping the mental health of team members a priority everyone will be content and productivity levels can improve.
Conclusion
Keeping medical assistants and staff happy is extremely important for your practice to thrive and get better. Hospital management or HR teams can also make sure that staffing numbers make even with practices of similar specialties to reap maximum benefits. Staff appreciation and motivation should be one of the top priorities of any practice to keep them upbeat and well performers to offer the best services to patients.
