In many healthcare fields, extensive training provides many benefits. For example, it increases employee retention, improves practice efficiency and job competency, and helps employees improve patient satisfaction scores.
For these reasons, online medical education, like those found through resources like EDsmart, or any formal training is an investment that is well worth the time, effort, and money.
Cross-Training
It’s important to understand that cross-training in healthcare careers can improve the performance of team members.
This training not only enhances the team’s function but also increases interpersonal collaboration and communication. Moreover, cross-trained teams are better able to cope with high-stress environments.
To understand whether cross-training can improve teamwork, we conducted a study that compared the performance of cross-trained and non-cross-trained teams.
Cross-training helps organizations ensure that their workers are capable of performing multiple jobs.
This way, the organization can be more consistent in its operation. It also helps reduce the possibility of errors due to a lack of knowledge.
Moreover, it helps fill in small gaps if someone cannot work for a while.
For example, a medical records person at Sunrise Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, learned to perform other office duties, including answering phone calls.
Stress Management
In addition to coping with workplace stress, extensive healthcare training can help individuals develop new skills that can be used to manage personal stress.
For example, a counselor can connect a person dealing with stress to personal development courses or group therapy sessions. This type of support can be invaluable in a time of need.
Different people react to stress differently. Depending on their mental health condition, people may react more severely to a single stressor.
Other people, on the other hand, may experience multiple stressors in their life without experiencing negative consequences.
If a person is constantly experiencing stress, they may be at risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and mental health disorders.
Physician’s Role in Staff Development
Physicians can play a pivotal role in staff development in healthcare careers. While they may focus on patient care and research, physicians can also help train their staff.
Although this is traditionally the responsibility of the practice manager, physicians have a role to play in healthcare careers.
There are several ways physicians can help develop staff, including joining professional medical associations.
These groups can provide valuable resources, such as free industry surveys and educational materials. Additionally, members have access to specialized forums and conferences.
For example, membership in the Medical Group Management Association offers special benefits for oncology practice managers.
In addition, members can participate in the Administrators in Oncology/Hematology Assembly subgroup, which includes an annual educational conference and an online forum.
Another way to empower your staff is to implement co-location. When you have a team in place, it is easier for them to take on more tasks.
For instance, a nurse working in a healthcare facility can work with a physician to note vaccinations in a patient’s chart.
Pay
There are many benefits to extensive training in healthcare careers. First, you can use your training to build your resume and gain new skills.
Second, you can change your company’s settings and continue learning new skills. Third, many healthcare employers offer paid training or career ladder programs to help you grow within the industry.
Lastly, a healthcare career requires time management skills. Because healthcare professionals are often pulled in many directions, they need to be able to prioritize and triage pressing tasks.
In addition, they often have a busy day ahead of them, so being able to focus on the important things will help them achieve their goals.
Job Prospects
Healthcare careers require extensive training and education. A doctor or dentist, for example, will attend graduate school for four years, while a pharmacist or audiologist will need to earn a doctoral degree before becoming licensed.
The job market for these occupations is strong, and the salaries and prospects are excellent. However, some professions may not be suitable for mid-life career changers.
Public health careers are a good option for those looking for a more challenging path into the medical field.
While extensive training and education are important, employers also look for soft skills. Often referred to as personality skills, these skills determine how people relate to others and how well they communicate.
As a result, developing these skills is important for your career prospects and job performance.
