The healthcare industry is constantly in flux, spurred by unexpected crises on the one hand and exciting innovations on the other. With the inexorable march of digital technology in modernizing traditional jobs and creating new positions, administrative healthcare teams must be prepared for the future.
But talent is scarce. Research for the Salary Guide From Robert Half found that 52% of healthcare managers said adding administrative help is their most pressing need, but it comes at a time when there are more open jobs than candidates. When hiring new administrative healthcare workers, it’s critical for managers to consider candidates’ digital abilities during interviews.
Here are four tips to keep in mind as you ready your administrative healthcare teams for the future.
1. Invest in healthcare tech training
Even if you are successful at hiring, you won’t be able to future-proof your healthcare team just by adding new talent. You also need to help your current workers learn new skills as their roles evolve, especially with regard to new technology. You’ll find that many of them are ready to pursue upskilling and find new ways to expand their knowledge in areas like electronic billing.
Acting on that eagerness can be a huge boon for your business.
Help employees learn about emerging technologies by providing training sessions or seminars on subjects like data analytics in healthcare, allowing them to enroll in online courses or encouraging them to obtain additional professional certifications. Offering a set amount of paid time for professional development or reimbursement for certifications could further spur the desire to learn.
Throughout the process, your team will develop skills to leverage unfamiliar technology, which can save money in the long run by reducing administrative costs associated with manually processing medical data. Furthermore, training your employees in the latest technology and tools demonstrates that you are invested in their growth — a powerful incentive for current staff to stick around and new talent to join your team.
2. Be as flexible as you can with work schedules
Employee-friendly policies like flexible work schedules can help you retain your best staff by creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Staff who can balance their work and personal commitments also tend to be more engaged, productive and efficient. Additionally, flexible work schedules can help attract workers looking for employers that recognize their need for flexibility and are willing to accommodate their schedules.
3. Offer mentoring and job shadowing
Schedule one-on-one sessions with your employees to discuss their career satisfaction and training needs. And remember that training is much more effective when coupled with hands-on experience. Make mentoring or job shadowing by employees more familiar with new technology a part of the upskilling process. This allows administrative healthcare teams to get acquainted with tools like cloud-based electronic health records (EHRs) and AI-powered virtual assistants that help automate patient registration, medical billing and invoicing.
4. Upgrade your strategy for administrative healthcare hiring
Not all jobs have to be permanent. Look for ways to use contract professionals with healthcare technology experience to support your existing staff. You won’t be alone: In a Robert Half survey, 48% of healthcare managers said they plan to use more contract talent in the future. Healthcare employers and workers are more open to contract roles than in the past, finding them mutually beneficial. Additionally, many of these interim workers are eventually offered permanent roles.
When asking yourself, “What are the characteristics of an effective healthcare team?” look for ways to cultivate a progressive workplace culture by encouraging collaboration and creative thinking among your administrative healthcare team and providing an environment where all feel welcome to share their ideas.
