Ask the expert: When developing a personnel budget, what do medical staff services managers and directors need to keep in mind?

The medical staff services department's personnel budget reflects the expected cost of staffing the department over several years. Medical staff services directors and managers must also factor (based on organizational goals and objectives) what changes may occur within the department. These changes include the complexity of tasks and advances in technology, and you will need to predict how these changes will affect staffing needs. Hence, the justification of your personnel budget depends on the reliability and validity of your staffing data. Ask yourself the following questions when preparing your personnel budget:

• If you need to alter your staffing mix, do you have reliable and valid staffing data to support your proposals?
• Do your medical staff members need additional training and continuing education to accomplish their responsibilities? What types of expenses are involved in this training and continuing education?
• Are there outsourced products or services available that could reduce staff time spent in key areas and increase your department’s productivity?
• Are there periods of time when staff must be excused from the medical staff services department to attend mandatory meetings or educational programs? How will you budget for staff coverage during these times?
• Are there specific times of the year (e.g., holiday seasons, cold and flu seasons, school vacations) when you need to pay overtime or allow for alternate staffing methods? Is there a pattern or trend to these times? If so, how have you handled them in the past and how can you plan for them more effectively in the future?

This week’s question and answer are excerpted from Assessing Your Medical Staff Office: Tools for Productivity by Beverly E. Pybus, CPMSM and Nancy Lian, CPCS, CPMSM, now available at a reduced price!