Newswise — Decades ago, automation changed the face of laboratory testing forever. However, the methods to manage the people staffing the laboratory have changed little:
• Paper competency assessment forms.
• Paper schedules posted on the wall.
• Procedure manuals with signatures in ink on paper.
• 1950 or 2019?
The problems that arise from these outdated, unreliable systems also remain largely unchanged:
• Pages of assessments that get lost or misfiled.
• The new employee whose six-month competency assessment was missed.
• Schedules that disappear or have changes scribbled out.
• Procedures that never get signed off.
• Manuals that are locked in an office on inspection day.
• 1950 or 2019?
There’s little doubt that these systems — and their accompanying problems — exist today in laboratories across the country (take a look at any top 10 list of inspection deficiencies). They remain in use as there are few if any software solutions in the marketplace that can cover these foundational processes. Furthermore, attacking document control, staff scheduling, and competency assessments has meant purchasing three systems — and forget about integration.
That’s where StaffReady comes in. They design, sell, and service the StaffReady suite of Clinical Workforce Management Software. The goals are straightforward:
• Improve efficiency.
• Increase morale.
• Decrease stress.
• Promote fairness and transparency.
These problems, while seemingly mundane, can play a key role in job satisfaction and ultimately, in retention. These are the irritations that grind away at morale and drag a single department or an entire organization down. Think culture keywords like fairness, transparency, visibility, and accessibility.
Cost of Turnover
The cost to replace one position is estimated to run 20 to 50% the annual cost of the position. This agrees with the findings of the 2018 ASCP Salary survey, which shows the time to fill a position being 3 to 6 months for a CLS position, and 3 to 12 months for a supervisor. Some sources put the number even higher at up to two times the annual salary. With the average annual salary of a bench CLS position at about $68,000, and that of a manager at about $86,000, a laboratory could easily be looking at $13,600, and as much as $172,000 of avoidable cost. Keeping in mind that these costs are per vacancy, and the sums are truly staggering.
Clinical Workforce Management Software
StaffReady’s suite of integrated modules automate and simplify the processes of document control, staff scheduling, and competency assessments. Their powerful integration adds even more value — add an employee to a new bench on the schedule, and the competency assessments for that area of testing are automatically assigned. Create an exam or competency document in document control, and it is secure and unalterable.
Automation has changed the face of laboratory analysis. Now you can automate laboratory staff management, as well.
For more information, be sure to stop by AACC Booth #3707 at the 71st AACC Scientific Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo in Anaheim, CA, August 6-9, 2019.
About StaffReady:
StaffReady owns, supports and sells the StaffReady platform, an integrated suite of tools that help healthcare organizations effectively manage competency assessments, document control, and staff scheduling. Our expertise and long history of developing software solutions allow us to work with any size organization from Global 100 companies to small reference labs and pharmacies. We’re proud of our client portfolio representing decades of relationships and an enduring commitment to their success.
Contact us today for a demo:
(877) 229-5230
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