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Keep job descriptions current to ensure successful recruitment, retention

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, October 17, 2007

Today's rapidly changing healthcare environment mandates that job descriptions and on-the-job expectations are kept current. This is especially true for hospitalists, whose roles continue to evolve.
For example, in some hospitals, there is a growing expectation that hospitalists will make second daily visits to patients under their care.
Other expectations of hospitalists that your organization may consider include:

• Staffing rapid response and code teams
• Serving on or chairing various hospital committees
• Providing training and education to key hospital personal (e.g., nurses, technicians, etc.)
• Covering patients at more than one hospital or site

None of these expectations should be a surprise to hospitalists after they agree to join your hospitalist program.

In addition, hospitalists at your facility might be involved in oversight of utilization data, improving program efficiency (e.g., length of stay, patient flow, readmission rates), developing clinical protocols, or teaching medical students and residents.

Because job descriptions evolve over time, ensure that even those hospitalists who are veterans of the program are provided with an up-to-date job description or job expectation policy.

To read more tips on how to run a successful hospitalist program, read Tools and Strategies for an Effective Hospitalist Program, by Jeffrey R. Dichter, MD, FACP and Kenneth G. Simone, DO, published by HCPro, Inc.

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