The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Jobs Reports showed a marked increase in job demand within the healthcare industry. More specifically, the report indicated an increase of 38,000 jobs over the month of February, with gains in ambulatory health care and hospital care. In addition, in the past 12 months, hospitals have added 181,000 jobs.

With rapid growth in the industry comes another concern. How do you adequately train these new employees and empower them to be successful? Below are just a few areas to consider as you are bringing on these new employees.

Adequate Onboarding

It’s great that the healthcare industry is experiencing so much growth, but the real measure of success is retention. It doesn’t matter how much growth the healthcare industry experiences over the next couple of years if it evolves into a transient market because healthcare organizations failed to properly onboard new staff.

Your new employee is evaluating you as much as you are evaluating them. Organizations should devote the proper amount of resources (time and people) to bring staff onboard the right way. The last thing you want to do is initiate them in “trial by fire.” This shows appreciation and respect for new staff, building a sense of belonging and hopefully loyalty.

Effective Training

No matter how much experience your new employee has, never assume that they don’t need training. They may have experience, but they have never worked for you! Part of onboarding your new employee effectively requires that you actually take the time to train them and ease them into their new role and learn YOUR WAY of doing things. Adequately training your new employee not only makes them feel valued, but it increases your comfort in a newly acquired asset.  A small investment early on in the relationship will pay dividends over the long haul.

Strong Team Culture

A strong team culture is sometimes the most important component an employee seeks when joining a new organization. You could pay the highest salary in the industry, but if you do not have a strong team culture that promotes success, you will have a revolving door of staff coming and going. Employees are seeking a place to belong that will foster their growth and success.

The investments you make in your employees will ultimately create the ideal environment not only for your new staff, but for your patients as well. Commitment to the patient experience begins as soon as the patient walks through your doors from the front desk clerk, to the janitorial staff, clinicians, and finally, your billing clerks. Each employee participates in a touch point with the customer that could shape their overall experience. Happy employees feel appreciated and proud to work for their organization. This starts with onboarding them properly, training them effectively, and creating an environment for success.