ESCAPE THE EMPLOYEE STAFFING TRAP Effective Access Management Staffing Models April 18, 2014 LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learn the components of a staff management system Understand why character is more important in an employee than experience Understand staffing model preferences and the impact they can have on employee retention and satisfaction Learn how to identify and select talent in a hurry Learn how to build a comprehensive work schedule with backup support in 1 try 2 THE EMPLOYEE STAFFING TRAP 3 THE EMPLOYEE STAFFING TRAP Access managers are routinely faced with the challenge of staffing an operation across 3 shifts, 7 days per week. Moreover, access managers must address this challenge in an industry where employee turnover levels can be as high as 50%! Access professionals can meet this challenge by understanding the key components of an effective staff management system. 4 THE EMPLOYEE STAFFING TRAP At your organization, is this employee joining or leaving your department? How many attendees expect a call or message while in this conference related to a staffing issue? 5 THE EMPLOYEE STAFFING TRAP • Maybe this looks more like the door at your organization…… 6 THE EMPLOYEE STAFFING TRAP If the graphics below describe your situation, this learning lab is for you! 7 STAFF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 8 STAFF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Core Considerations Includes: Core Considerations Factors that must be considered to staff any access management organization Employee Selection Operating Environment Internal Staffing Philosophy Staffing Model Preference 9 STAFF MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Facilitating Considerations Includes: Facilitating Considerations Factors that must be considered to facilitate the support of core staffing processes H.R. Support Software Tools Data Analysis - Reporting, Lessons Training Programs 10 STAFF MANAGEMENT SYSTEM All Considerations Core Facilitating Employee Selection H.R. Support Operating Environment Software Tools Internal Staffing Philosophy Staffing Model Preference Data Analysis - Reporting, Lessons Training Programs 11 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staff Management System Core Facilitating Employee Selection H.R. Support Operating Environment Software Tools Internal Staffing Philosophy Staffing Model Preference Data Analysis - Reporting, Lessons Training Programs 12 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Employee Selection "People are not your most important asset, the RIGHT people are" “the single biggest constraint on the success of my organization is the ability to get and to hang on to enough of the right people” Source: Jim Collins, “Good to Great” 13 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Employee Selection Keys To Finding The Right People Look for alignment of the prospective employee’s needs with your business needs Understand that character is more important than experience 14 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Alignment of Employee and Business Needs Basic Skills Schedule Availability General PC Skills Telephone Manner Office Administrative Skills Full-time, part-time, PRN; weekends, holidays 1st, 2nd or 3rd Shift Goals and Objectives Development and training? Compensation, promotion and benefits? 15 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Why Character is More Important Than Experience All access management experience is not created equal. Very experienced prospects: May not wish to function in highly productive environments May be adverse to change May not wish to be cross-functional May not function well where teamwork is required May have different views regarding attendance and punctuality May not see customer service as a component of care 16 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Employee Selection Characteristics of the “right” people Self motivated Dependable Care about doing a great job Care about delivering outstanding service Never satisfied with status quo Seek to continuously improve processes and services 17 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Employee Selection Tip – Perform “Character” Interviews Prospects should provide examples of the following: Productivity and attention to detail Adaptability Willingness to learn and perform multiple tasks Willingness to work with multiple departments Record of dependability and punctuality Service and service recovery aptitudes 18 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Employee Selection “Get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats” Source: Jim Collins, “Good to Great” 19 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Operating Environment In-House In-House Personnel, facilities and procedures are controlled by the access management department. No staffing support is provided to clinical areas. Main Registration ED Registration All Registration Sites Financial Screening 20 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Operating Environment Outsourced Outsourced Clinical department assumes no responsibility for staffing or coverage support. All coverage provided by access mgmt. department. Radiology/Imaging O.R. Bed Management Clinical Departments 21 STAFFING OPERATING ENVIRONMENT Staffing Operating Environment Tip – Establish Outsourcing Limits When outsourcing coverage to clinical areas: Establish responsibility for training Determine a cap for back-up coverage Avoid involvement in clinical administrative duties 22 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Internal Staffing Philosophy Characteristic s Normalized Access mgmt. organization creates stable, predictable schedules whenever possible. Stable Schedules Stable Shifts Scheduled Breaks Planned Back-up Support 23 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Internal Staffing Philosophy Characteristics Random Access management organization fills whatever roles are available according to need. Schedules tend to be unpredictable. Variable Schedules Variable Shifts Random or No Breaks Ad-hoc Back-up Support 24 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Variable Shift Model Employee works variable shifts as needed Pros – Fewer schedule holes to address Cons - Sub-optimal for employee satisfaction and retention 25 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Shift Model Employee works the same shift each day Pros - Better employee satisfaction and retention Cons – May create more schedule holes to address (not in this scenario because we have no “grandfathered-in” promises to 26 keep) CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Variable Staffing Model – Rotating Weekend Weekly staff rotate to the weekends on an ongoing basis Pros – No need for weekend-only staff. Regular staff is usually perceived to be more reliable Cons - Higher dissatisfaction and turnover 27 from rotating weekly staff rotating to weekends CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Staffing Model – Permanent Weekend Weekend-only staffing in place Pros – No weekend rotation needed for current weekly staff, higher satisfaction for weekly staff. Cons - Reliability issues may crop up for weekend-only personnel. 28 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Better Practice Static models promote higher retention and job satisfaction among access personnel When properly implemented, static models provide less of a need for managerial involvement in the staff scheduling process 29 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Variable Staffing Model – Rotating Weekends 30 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Variable Staffing Model – Rotating Weekend Determine weekend rotation – make this rotation as stable as possible to maximize employee satisfaction Give employees the same day off before the weekend and the same day off after the 31 weekend! CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Expand the Rotation Involve all access personnel in the rotation! Too often, only ED employees are used in weekend rotations. Positions to include: Outpatient registrars Inpatient registrars Financial screening personnel Bed management personnel 32 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Expanding Weekend Rotation Resources Advantages: The more personnel involved, the fewer weekends any employee will have to work Depending on the size of the access organization, rotations can be as infrequent as every 2 months Full participation in the rotation is more fair to all department employees 33 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Variable Staffing Model – Rotating Weekend Determine Your Back-up Plan Always know your next 3 levels of backup Best Practices: Establish on-call coverage Level 1: On-call employees (Usually PRNs) Level 2: On-call leads Level 3: On-call supervisors/managers 34 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Variable Staffing Model – Rotating Weekend Establish leadership roles Someone should always be in control on all shifts Better Practices: Establish lead roles for 2nd and 3rd shifts during the week 35 Establish lead roles for all weekend shifts STAFFING MODEL PREFERENCES Static Weekend Model 36 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Staffing Model – Permanent Weekend Schedule Full-time employees first Only a 1 week view is needed 37 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Staffing Model – Permanent Weekend Hire and train weekend only staff Select carefully for reliability The job must be in the best interests of the employee Avoid students if possible** 38 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Staffing Model – Permanent Weekend Determine Your Back-up Plan Always know your next 3 levels of backup Best Practices: Establish on-call coverage Level 1: On-call employees (usually PRNs) Level 2: On-call leads Level 3: On-call supervisors/managers 39 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Staffing Model – Permanent Weekend Establish leadership roles Someone should always be in control on all shifts Best Practice – Hire permanent weekend leads: Better team building for the weekend team 40 CORE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Model Preferences Static Staffing Model – Permanent Weekend Establish emergency back-up roles Best Practice: Hire and train 10 – 20 “PRN” employees 41 BLOW-UP YOUR SCHEDULE Discussion Exercise You were recently hired as the access manager of a new hospital currently under construction and charged with hiring a full registration team. You were provided with the hours of operation and the anticipated patient volumes. Armed with this information and what we know about staffing models, how would you develop a staffing plan? 42 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY 12 Step Process Heal Schedule Addiction! Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Hire full-time (FT) FTEs Hire part-time (PT) FTEs Hire PRNs Designate on-call personnel Level 1: PRNs Level 2: Leads Level 3: Supervisors/Managers 43 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 5: Schedule FT FTEs MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 2 3 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 44 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 6: Rotate FT FTEs to Weekend MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 2 SUNDAY Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 3 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) 10 Jones (FT) 45 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 7: Fill FT holes with PT FTEs MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2 Smith (FT) 3 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 Jones (FT) Payne (PT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Escobar (PT) 46 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 8: Lock-in FT & PT schedules MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2 Smith (FT) 3 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 Jones (FT) Payne (PT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Escobar (PT) 47 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 9: Cover scheduled absences with PRNs MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2 Smith (FT) 3 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 Jones (FT) 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Escobar (PT) Payne (PT) Tomey (PRN) 48 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 10: Add on-call Level I -PRNs MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2 Smith (FT) 3 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 Jones (FT) 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Escobar (PT) Payne (PT) Tomey (PRN) 49 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 11: Add on-call Level II -Leads/Sups. MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2 Smith (FT) 3 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 Jones (FT) 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Escobar (PT) Payne (PT) Tomey (PRN) 50 BUILD A VARIABLE SCHEDULE IN 1 TRY • Step 12: Exhale & Relax! MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDA Y THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2 Smith (FT) 3 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 1 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 5 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 6 Smith (FT) 7 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 8 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 9 10 Jones (FT) 11 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 12 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 13 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 14 Smith (FT) 15 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 16 17 18 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 19 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 20 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 21 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 22 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 23 24 25 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 26 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 27 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 28 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 29 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) 30 31 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Jones (FT) 4 Smith (FT) Jones (FT) Escobar (PT) Payne (PT) Tomey (PRN) 51 FACILITATING STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS Staff Management System Core Facilitating Employee Selection H.R. Support Operating Environment Software Tools Internal Staffing Philosophy Staffing Model Preference Preference Data Analysis - Reporting, Lessons Training Programs 52 FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Effective Training & Support Programs • A top reason access managers over-rely on a search for experienced personnel is a lack of effective training and technological support programs. Such programs allow: – Expansion of the pool of applicants – Hiring for character 53 FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Effective Training & Support Programs Tip: Effective support programs should include: – Productivity Policy – Quality Policy – Both reduce staffing needs by increasing volumes and reducing re-work – Automation of all possible processes – Reduces training requirements 54 – Reduces process complexity FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Human Resources Support • Tip – Establish a HR Liaison – Your HR support liaison should be able to identify the “right” person better than you could. They should: – Screen all applications – Ensure critical criteria are met – Have alignment with your department on what “character” means 55 FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Human Resources Support • Tip – Conduct Job Fairs – Job fairs are an incredibly underused tool. HR departments love to do them. Job fairs allow: – Many interviews to be performed on one day – A wide-variety of skill-sets – Wide-ranging work availability – Scheduling of mass training sessions – On-the-spot job offers (assuming references check-out) 56 FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Analysis Reporting • The best schedules are data-driven, not exceptiondriven – Your schedule must first meet your coverage needs • Schedule exceptions made to accommodate personal needs of employees can wreck a schedule when they are inconsistent with actual coverage and business needs – Review the schedule for predictable patient flow patterns • Flow by hour, shift, day, week, month and season – Be prepared to shift staffing up or down according to activity patterns 57 FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Staffing Analysis Reporting • Tip – Schedule Lunch Coverage – Many managers get routinely hammered by not addressing this “simple” issue. Items to consider: – Providers often close for lunch and send over walkins – Working patients often call during their own lunch breaks – Working while eating is not a break! – Dissatisfaction of staff who routinely miss breaks 58 FACILITATING CONSIDERATIONS Human Resources Support • Tip – Staff Scheduling Software • Use of employee scheduling software makes scheduling much simpler • Penny-wise hospitals often learn they can leverage existing scheduling software intended for other departments such as nursing at no extra cost in the patient access department 59 SUMMARY In this session, we: Learned the components of a staff management system Learned why character is more important in an employee than experience Explored staffing model preferences and the impact they can have on employee retention and satisfaction Learned how to identify and select talent in a hurry Learned how to build a comprehensive work schedule with backup support in 1 try 60 QUESTIONS 61 CONTACT INFO John Thompson, PMP, CHAM, CRCR Principal, Access Management and Technology Innovation Services jthompson@coalitionrc.com (301) 802-3078 62