The Benefits of Investing in Ongoing Staff Training

As an aesthetic practice owner, administrator or manager, you need to ensure that your staff is properly trained to successfully handle the different aspects of their job and help your practice continue to grow. You may wonder whether or not providing ongoing training for your staff is worth it, but the answer is clear – ongoing training is a must. However, it’s not just about providing ongoing training. You need to ensure that the training is tailored to meet the specific needs of your practice. In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of investing in continuous staff training, the key topics you should train your staff on and the frequency and location of the training.

The Importance of Ongoing Staff Training for Your Practice Success

Let’s start by explaining why ongoing staff training is important. Ongoing staff training is essential for your practice to remain competitive and up-to-date in a constantly changing space (both inside your practice and the aesthetic medical industry overall). The benefits of ongoing staff training range from keeping your staff informed about your practice’s new policies, procedures and protocols to ensuring they are aware of the latest industry trends and technologies.

It is crucial to constantly update your staff to prevent them from overlooking or forgetting critical processes. Continuous training enhances their ability to remember essential information and procedures, which can prevent costly mistakes. It also ensures that staff members are informed and equipped with the knowledge they need to comply with new rules and regulations.

In addition, ongoing staff training also helps to boost staff morale and retention. Employees who feel valued and invested in, are more likely to stay with the practice for the long haul. By providing them with ongoing learning opportunities, you show your staff that you care about their growth and development. This can lead to a more motivated and engaged workforce, which in turn can lead to improved productivity and better patient care.

Main Topics to Train Your Staff On

Your aesthetic practice’s specific needs will determine the detailed topics that you should train your staff on. However, some important areas to consider include operational, administrative and procedural aspects of your practice as well as compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)  and HIPAA (Health Insurance and Portability Act of 1996) regulations and other regulations.

Operational, Administrative & Procedural Aspects of Your Practice

Any aesthetic practice success crucially depends on three aspects:

Operational aspects refer to everything that goes on within the practice on a day-to-day basis. This includes training your staff on tasks such as keeping the office clean and organized, stocking supplies, checking patients in and out, rooming patients and ensuring that equipment is in good working order.

Administrative aspects are the behind-the-scenes tasks that managers and administrators do which are necessary to keep the practice running smoothly. This includes managing finances, paperwork and ensuring that staff members are trained properly.

Procedural aspects involve tasks related to successful and smooth treatments and procedures for your patients. Train your staff to maintain clean and tidy examination rooms, ensure that the trash cans are not overflowing and can be closed properly and correctly dispose of table paper, tissues and bloody gauzes.

OSHA & HIPAA

An essential topic to consider in developing initial staff training is compliance with regulations such as OSHA and HIPAA regulations. These regulations have specific requirements and failing to comply can result in severe consequences. OSHA, for example, mandates staff training on hazards like needle sticks and chemical exposure. These risks can happen in various roles within the practice. Therefore, you must provide staff with training on this matter when you are hiring them, or when they change job functions.

Another critical area to address in staff training is HIPAA compliance. Staff members need to understand not only what to do but also what not to do in order to protect patient information. Training on HIPAA compliance should be provided to all new hires and ongoing training should be provided to ensure that all staff members stay updated on the latest regulations.

To learn more about HIPAA compliance, you can listen to episode 81 of Shorr Solutions: The Podcast,”Your Guide to Understanding HIPAA to Prevent Violations in Your Aesthetic Practice”  or read our recent  blog post: What is HIPAA & How Do You Avoid Violations in Your Aesthetic Practice?

State Regulations for Medical Procedures

Regulations around who can perform certain procedures for patients can vary widely by state. For example, in some U.S. states, a registered nurse or medical assistant may be able to perform injectables, dermal fillers and other procedures, while in others, they may not.

It is important for medical practices to be aware of these regulations and ensure that they are not putting patients or business owners at risk by allowing staff members to perform procedures that they are not licensed or trained to do. By erring on the side of caution and following state regulations, practices can ensure that their patients receive the best possible care while also protecting themselves from legal and regulatory issues.

How Often Should You Train Your Staff

Consistent staff training is essential to keep your team performing at their best. Having regular training sessions at least once a month helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page. The frequency of training may vary depending on the needs of your office, but the key is to ensure that the training is frequent, effective and customized to the needs of the staff.

It’s also important to make sure that the staff understands the training, which means explaining medical terminology or language that may be unfamiliar to them.

Location Considerations for Staff Training: Onsite, Offsite and External Conferences

When it comes to the location of the training, both onsite and offsite options have their pros and cons. Onsite training is best for procedural training that requires a live patient, while offsite training eliminates distractions and removes staff from their everyday work environment. External conferences are also an option for additional training, but they come with expenses, such as travel, lodging, meals and conference fees. However, these “expenses” are really an investment in the staff‘s education and skills, making it a worthwhile endeavor.

How Do You Measure If Your Training Was Effective?

You can measure the effectiveness of staff training through various factors. First, you can take into account the ROI (Return on Investment). This means that the outcomes of the training should be quantified and compared with the cost incurred to conduct the training.

Second, the training should be measurable through the responses of the staff and their ability to apply the knowledge they have gained. It is important to manage and measure the effectiveness of staff training because it is a significant investment of time and money. However, the time it takes to determine the effectiveness of the training can vary depending on the type of training conducted. It may take a few months to a year to see the results of the training.

You should also implement continuous improvement processes and ongoing training to ensure the staff’s skills are continuously in development. Ultimately, you can determine the effectiveness of staff training by the improvements in workplace-related incidents or increased business ($) for your practice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, staff training is a vital part of any aesthetic practice. It should be conducted by multiple levels of management and supervisors, with sessions tailored to the staff’s understanding. The location of the training can be either onsite or offsite, depending on the type of training and external conferences are also an option. Investing in staff training is an investment in the practice’s success, ensuring that the team is knowledgeable, skilled and up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

If you want to maximize profit, reduce costs and ultimately thrive in your aesthetic practice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts for coaching! Schedule a free consult with our award-winning expert, Jay Shorr, to make sure that you’re on the right path to success!

To learn MORE about the benefits of staff training in your aesthetic practice, be sure to listen to episode 84 of Shorr Solutions: The Podcast “The Benefits of Ongoing Staff Training”!