Think your staff is blessedly free from addiction and drug abuse issues? Statistics say you’re probably wrong, especially about the growing opioid crisis. Maybe an employee takes a stimulant to get through that 12-hour shift. Or pops a prescription pain killer, originally given for a back injury but now used to “feel better.” Drug abuse in the workplace doesn’t look like it used to. Today, one of the fastest-growing substance misuse categories is actually medication prescribed by a doctor—including the highly addictive opioids. How do these trends impact your workforce, and what can you do about it? … [Read more...] about Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Culture & Leadership
HR Managers Will Get New Staff Management Tools from CMS Initiative
The practical tools will include staff competency assessments, training guides and workforce quality improvement goals. A new initiative from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide HR and managers in skilled nursing settings a portfolio of tools to assess workforce skills, care quality and the quality of life for residents. CMS is developing a series of work products for nursing home professionals, including staff competency assessment tools, instructional guides, training webinars and technical assistance seminars, notes a CMS press release announcing the new program. … [Read more...] about HR Managers Will Get New Staff Management Tools from CMS Initiative
The Widening Role of HR as C-Suite Advisors
As talent management and business strategies align, HR professionals are increasingly being asked to advise the top executive teams. Workforce efficiencies are tightly intertwined with business success, and HR managers are finding themselves with greater roles in the strategic development of the company—including acting as advisors to the COO and CEO. … [Read more...] about The Widening Role of HR as C-Suite Advisors
Trimming Turnover
Create a culture that draws and keeps great employees Statistics show little relief in sight for workforce shortages in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings, but HR can help organizations create and maintain a culture that attracts the brightest, most dedicated and qualified employees—and keeps them happy and loyal. … [Read more...] about Trimming Turnover
Post-acute workers are among the least likely to get flu shots
The CDC is urging people to get an early start on influenza prevention. Most healthcare professionals are aware of the impact the influenza season can have, yet long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) workers are among the least likely to get vaccinated in the healthcare sector, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). … [Read more...] about Post-acute workers are among the least likely to get flu shots
Engaging Staff in Promoting Business Success
One of your untapped branding resources might be your own employees As the long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) sector moves into value-based models, organizations are looking for ways to differentiate themselves. Today, employees at all levels can play key roles in driving traffic to your website, encouraging customer engagement, and gaining the attention and loyalty of residents, families and staff. “Brands are waking up to the impact activated employees can have on marketing goals,” says Michael Brenner, founder and CEO of Marketing Insider Group, in a blog. “Your employees are consumers. They are the human face of your company and so are more trustworthy in the eyes of your audience.” So how do you engage and inspire employees to be active in the business culture without adding to their workloads? It may be … [Read more...] about Engaging Staff in Promoting Business Success
Hiring a New DON
Today’s director of nursing needs to offer more than clinical leadership In long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings, the director of nursing (DON) is expected to be an experienced clinician and a strong team leader. But the impact of healthcare technology, new payment models and the regulatory environment have made the DON’s role one that is much more than clinical. What qualities make the ideal DON? Obviously, the DON is the driving force of clinical efficacy across the organization and is expected to display excellence in coordinating and overseeing nursing care. But the changing business environments in LTPAC settings have brought additional challenges to the fore. The DON Candidate Checklist:
- Comfort with technology, electronic health records, nurse documentation systems, Minimum Data Set and other specialized programs.
- As organizations branch out into specialty services, the ability to operate specialized equipment such as dialysis machines and … [Read more...] about Hiring a New DON
