Ways to Improve Retention With Effective Physician Onboarding

Effective onboarding is essential in making sure that new physicians feel supported and confident in their roles. It sets the groundwork for a successful and long-lasting relationship between the physician and the organization. Read on to learn more.

The Benefits of Effective Provider Onboarding

There are a wide variety of benefits when you have an effective provider onboarding process in place at your practice:

Retention: Taking the time to create a comfortable environment for new employees in your practice shows you genuinely care about their well-being. This sets the stage for increased loyalty and commitment in the long run, benefiting both you and your staff.

Efficiency: Whether you run a large hospital or a small clinic, following the same procedures as outlined in your healthcare onboarding plan is crucial for success.

Collaboration: By providing consistent training that emphasizes teamwork and encouraging open communication from day one, you can create an engaging, collaborative medical team that excels in delivering exceptional care.

Morale: Whether it’s attending conferences, workshops, or engaging in online courses, providing new practitioners with endless avenues helps them expand their horizons and keep up with the ever-evolving medical landscape.
Patient satisfaction: When your healthcare team feels like they’re making a meaningful contribution and genuinely enjoy working together, patients notice a difference in the quality of care.

How to Improve Retention With a Successful Physician Onboarding Process

Recruiting top-notch medical providers is just the first step. If you want them to stay and succeed, it’s essential to give them the support they need from day one with an effective physician onboarding process.

To ensure your new physicians feel welcome and supported, here are a few key components to put into practice:

Communicate Information

First, consider the beginning of the orientation process before their first day on the job. Send them all the necessary paperwork in advance, and maybe even a video welcome or organization overview. Provide new practitioners with details on when to arrive, where to park, which door to enter, and who to ask for upon arrival. Knowing these small but essential details can make a huge difference in their overall experience and set them up for success.

Connect With Colleagues

Assigning a peer mentor or ambassador to each new physician can make a world of difference. This mentor becomes their go-to person, so they never feel lost in those early days. They’ll have someone by their side to answer questions and guide them through the process. The mentor will also introduce the new physician to designated contacts in each department. These contacts will allot time to orient the physician and provide relevant information.

Create a Plan

A successful onboarding plan is crucial for any new physician, providing them with the time and support needed to acclimate to their new role. By developing and reviewing a physician onboarding checklist and assigning a timeline for completion, both the physician and their supervisor can set clear expectations. Your checklist should outline tasks for the first week and few months to allow the physician to manage their time effectively. Regular check-ins throughout the process also ensure progress is being made and any challenges can be addressed.

Address More Than Tactic Details

Beyond just the steps and process, the key is to focus on the relational aspects. Plan a meet-and-greet meeting where your new physician can interact with your onboarding specialist, practice manager, physician relations leader, and marketing director. Prioritizing these details isn’t just about introductions—it’s about providing your new recruit with a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s culture.

Effective physician training is crucial during the onboarding process. Find out the do’s and don’ts to keep in mind during the training process.

Learn More

Ensure Success With a Physician Onboarding Checklist

By using the following checklist, you can ensure that nothing falls through the cracks during the physician onboarding process:

Materials

Make sure you have the following documents implemented in your onboarding process:

Office materials, such as prescription pads and stationery
Equipment like medical supplies, lab coats, name tags, office space
Technology, such as a computer and equipment, software, email address, phone

Administration

Ensure your new practitioners have receive the following admin information during onboarding:

Contracts
Bylaws, rules, and procedures
Hospital and office tours
Office schedule, on-call schedule
Meetings with practice manager
Front desk tour
HIPAA, OSHA, etc.
Administration procedures
Mission, vision, values, other organizational goals
Role expectations
Mentorship opportunities

Marketing

New physician marketing is also an important part of the onboarding process. Consider the following marketing products and strategies for new practitioners:

Business cards
Appointment cards
Signage
Website updates such as photo, bio, video
Local media public relations
Social media campaign
Print mail campaign
Events to welcome new practitioner
Speaking engagements
Referring physician introductions
Updated phone greetings
Updated print and digital advertising

Human Resources

Ensure your HR staff is involved in onboarding by:

Developing offer acceptance letters
Creating confidentiality agreements
Ensuring immunizations are up to date
Filling out tax forms
Giving out your employee handbook
Providing practitioners with a cell phone, keys, access badge, codes
Providing benefits selection and enrollment
Securing parking spaces
Providing contact lists
Setting up direct deposit

Staff Integration

Staff integration during the onboarding process includes:

Logins and training for phone, email, software, systems, computer
Introductions to staff
Coding, procedures, and billing
Observation of all areas of the practice and specialty
Meetings with the board, leadership, committees, etc.

Credentials

Credentialing is legally required if your new practitioner is performing direct patient care and can include:

State license
Updated curriculum vitae
Immunization records
Diploma and transcripts
Professional references
Driver’s license
Social Security card

Key Takeaways

Are you in need of support and guidance as you navigate through your physician training? Look no further than Physician’s Resource Services (PRS). With a dedicated team of advisors, PRS provides resources and expertise to improve your financial standing and ensure a successful medical career. From transitioning into practice to preparing for retirement, PRS has you covered. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with our financial resources for residents and fellows.

This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only. Please consult your investment professional, legal or tax advisor for specific information pertaining to your situation.

Advisory Services Network, LLC does not provide tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. Federal and state laws are complex and constantly changing. You should always consult your own legal or tax professional for information concerning your individual situation.

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