Opening doors to opportunity through automation: Upskilling and reskilling for improved morale and patient care
The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation driven by technological advancements and the need to optimize operational efficiency. One significant change is the integration of Intelligent Automation (IA) to manage repetitive and manual administrative tasks. This shift not only streamlines processes but also creates possibilities for employees to transition into more direct patient care roles through reskilling initiatives. This article explores how automation is reshaping the healthcare workforce and how organizations are leveraging reskilling and upskilling programs to address labor shortages and maximize the potential of their current employees.
Automation’s impact on healthcare workforce
Automation technologies, such as IA, are not meant to replace professionals but to enhance their capabilities. Currently, these tools are being deployed to automate administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, billing, and record-keeping. By doing so, healthcare organizations are reducing the burden of repetitive work on their employees, allowing them to focus on more value-added activities.
“If an automation freed up 10 people, we would have an opportunity to reskill or redeploy those people to other value-adding tasks. What if we focused on reducing readmissions? What could those 10 people be doing, that we cannot do today?”
Amit Bhagat, CEO Amitech Solutions
Enabling transition to patient care
In facilities that have adopted automation initiatives, healthcare employees can transition into patient-facing roles such as patient education, bedside care, and care coordination. Providing such opportunities increases employee job satisfaction and retention in addition to enhancing the quality of patient care. This also opens the possibility for current patient-facing employees to pursue specializations, further elevating a facility’s level of care offerings.
The role of reskilling and upskilling programs
Internal reskilling initiatives
Forward-thinking healthcare organizations are implementing internal reskilling programs to equip their employees with the necessary skills to transition into new roles. These programs often include training in areas such as patient communication, empathy building, and clinical support, enabling employees to make a smooth transition from administrative tasks to direct patient care responsibilities.
Contracted reskilling services
Due to the limitations in resources and available staff, many healthcare organizations are partnering with specialized reskilling providers to offer comprehensive training and certification programs. These external partnerships bring in expertise and resources to complement the organization’s internal capabilities, ensuring that employees receive high-quality training tailored to the needs of their institution.
Addressing labor shortages through reskilling and upskilling
Tackling skills mismatches
The healthcare industry faces challenges related to skills mismatches where the existing workforce may not possess the skills required for emerging roles. Reskilling and upskilling programs play a pivotal role in addressing these mismatches by providing employees with the competencies needed to fill in-demand positions in addition to managing labor shortages.
Retaining and attracting talent
By offering reskilling and upskilling opportunities, healthcare organizations can retain their existing employees by providing pathways for career advancement and opportunities for specialization. In a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Life Sciences, researchers reported that 91% of surveyed nursing staff felt upskilling was a critical need. Those who had already participated in such programs agreed that they applied their new skills to their daily work, and 34% reported an improvement in morale.
These initiatives also serve as a compelling recruitment tool, attracting new talent by showcasing the organization’s commitment to employee development and career progression. Today’s workforce understands the need for continuous learning as technology propels the Fourth Industrial Revolution. According to a TalentLMS, 41% of employees nationally plan to leave their job in the next year due to insufficient training opportunities. This is a critical consideration for healthcare organizations facing increasing attrition rates.
Drive the healthcare workforce transformation through automation
The integration of automation in healthcare administrative tasks presents a unique opportunity to reshape the roles and responsibilities of the workforce. By investing in reskilling and upskilling programs, healthcare organizations can not only address labor shortages but also empower their employees to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the proactive adoption of reskilling and upskilling initiatives will be instrumental in building a capable and adaptable patient-centric workforce.
