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Everyone who’s worked in HR and credentialing departments knows this pain.
When hospitals bring new healthcare providers on board, this can bring additional workload and stress, not just for the new doctors and nurses, but also for the people in charge of processing their credentials. The process is gruesome, takes so much time, and takes so many people (even including higher-ups) to get it approved. That’s why finding the right onboarding platform — a system that helps new employees navigate credentialing intuitively and quickly — is the best way to manage this situation.
But how does a hospital choose when there are so many options available? Here’s a guide to help you make that decision as easily as possible.
Why onboarding platforms matter
Credentialing systems provide access to essential information and resources to ensure smooth credentialing and onboarding so that healthcare providers can get to work as soon as possible. Choosing an appropriate onboarding platform should help hospitals optimize the onboarding procedure, reduce costs, and increase overall patient services by reducing staffing shortages caused by credentialing delays.
What makes a great platform?
1. Safety and security
The right onboarding system makes sure all this sensitive information is locked up tight and is in compliance with health information laws. To know what platforms are safe, look for platforms that are approved by the US Department of Health & Human Services to be an “Approved Primary Source Equivalent.” This means this platform can become a system of record for authentic and official documents like licenses, certificates, professional references, transcripts, “good standing” letters, employment history, and more.
2. Works well with others
Hospitals use a lot of different computer programs to keep things running smoothly. The best onboarding platform will seamlessly integrate with the hospital’s other systems. This means less headaches when moving information around and more time caring for patients. But just in case there’s nothing that is compatible, look instead for platforms that allow you to customize content to meet your hospital’s specific needs. A good onboarding system can integrate with your existing Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) through an app.
3. User-friendly and accessible
Not everyone is a tech expert, and that’s okay. Whether someone has been there for thirty years or just began today, the onboarding platform should be simple to use for everyone. Additionally, it should be compatible with tablets and mobile phones, as hospital employees are often on the go. Also, a good platform folder can be shared with multiple hospitals, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with the onboarding process across the healthcare industry.
- Learning never stops
The ideal platform keeps offering new offerings and services, helping everyone keep up with the latest in healthcare and hospital operations.
Making the choice
Now that we’ve established what to look for, how do you decide? You may go through internet reviews, consult with friends for ideas, or even try out a couple in-store. Here are some tips you can follow:
- Ask around: See what platforms other hospitals recommend. Take note that there are free onboarding platforms out there! You can use it to onboard your new employees and manage their credentials without cost for the first 90 days.
- Do the research: Look up different platforms online and read what other users say about them. Look for features such as user-friendliness, tight security, customizability, etc. You can also look for fundamentals, like knowing the platforms’ history and cause. You might want to support an onboarding platform that actual healthcare professionals created to solve the credentialing problem by themselves.
- Try it out: Some companies let hospitals test their platforms for a short time to see if it’s a good fit. Some platforms are free, but there are also paid subscriptions that allow you to use safer, better, and wider features.
Final thoughts
With the right platform, hospitals can make sure everyone is ready to provide the best care possible, from day one. Remember, the goal is to find a system that is secure, friendly, and easy to use, one that fits the hospital’s needs like a glove. With a bit of research and some testing, hospitals can find their perfect match and set their new employees up for success.
