Cross Training Staff The practice of cross training staff (learning another type

Question

Cross Training Staff

The practice of cross training staff (learning another type of job) is an old and often successful practice at hospitals.

Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, research cross training techniques. Based on your research and training, respond to the following:

What steps would you take in deciding whether or not to cross train lab technicians as x-ray technicians?

What are the negative and positive financial considerations in making this decision?

What steps will you take to deal with a weekend staffing crisis whereby your small hospital has no x-ray technicians in-house, yet the demand for their services is very high including 30 percent of the need emanating from critical care units?

Make sure that you include an introduction and conclusion to your post.

To support your work, use your course and textbook readings and also use the South University Online Library.

As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Your initial posting should be addressed at 150-300 words.

Submit your document to this Discussion Area by the due date assigned.

Be sure to cite your sources using APA format.

Explanation / Answer

Cross training is the method to train employees to do different jobs other than what their job profile describes. Training the employees on different jobs helps the managers to manage the workforce with more flexibility by delegating various jobs to different employees as the need of the organization and is helpful to the employees as it helps them in their career development by learning new skills and make their presence valuable for the organization.

Steps that can be taken to decide whether to cross train lab technicians as x-ray technician are identifying the need of the cross-training program, its cost and outcome analysis should be made, the capabilities and skills of the lab technicians to learn a new skill should be analyzed and the merits and demerits of this training should be determined, evaluated and then the training program should be executed. Training program always consumes resources, time and money. Hence a proper and detailed evaluation is required if there is a need for such training. The number of lab technicians and x-ray technicians will have to be analyzed for that. The capabilities and co-operation level of the staff for this training has to be calculated so that even after the training the staff does not fail to perform the new task at the time of need.

The negative financial considerations in cross training can be the cost of training will be an additional expense for the organization that cannot be recovered by immediate results. Cross training programs are helping to train employees for situations where the need may arise. There is a possibility that the need doesn't arise at all. In that case, this expense will be a loss for the company. The positive consideration can be the loss from employee turnover and absenteeism can be avoided. It can be beneficial to the employees as well because they can earn incentives by doing various jobs other than their profile job. Bringing flexibility in the workforce will lead to increase in productivity and hence be beneficial for the company in financial terms too.

To deal with a weekend staffing crisis whereby the hospital has no x-ray technicians in-house cross training is the best solution. Cross training the lab technicians for the job of x-ray technician job and providing them overtime and incentives to work for the hospital on weekends as an x-ray technician is a solution for such crises.

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