Tips for streamlining onboarding

Onboarding is the system used to integrate newly hired practitioners and medical staff members into the healthcare organization, its culture, and the local community. It may include interviews and meetings with organization staff from practice management, marketing, administration, medical staff services, the governing body, service line managers, legal, finance, and information technology. Practitioners may be asked to meet with community leaders and physician leadership. Some healthcare organizations also offer a mentorship for new practitioners.

Tips for streamlining onboarding include the following:

• Be prepared. There is often time between an applicant’s acceptance of employment and first day. Take advantage of this time by inviting the new staff member to an orientation that involves learning to use the technology, touring the hospital, and meeting colleagues and supervisors.
• Be organized. Have a plan. If there is paperwork that needs to be filled out or signed, have it ready for the practitioner’s arrival. Set a schedule for orientation and perhaps even for the new hire’s first day.
• Be informed—and make sure that the hospital’s staff is, too. All members who may interact with the new practitioner should know their roles. Make sure that everyone is familiar with the onboarding process and their responsibilities. If staff members do not understand their role in the onboarding process, then the new physician cannot be expected to learn from them.