The Future Of Medical Staffing Lies In The High Schools

The future of medical staffing lies in the high schools.  Granted, the medical field has positions that can only be fielded by licensed and higher educated staff, but many positions don’t require a degree or license of any sort. 
 
Take the eye care industry for example.  Aside from the optometrist/ophthalmologist, no position requires a degree.  The front desk, work up person, frame seller, etc. merely need to be trained well enough to do their job effectively. 
 
This makes these positions immensely attractive to perspective employees and finding those employees may mean creating a partnership with local high schools.
 
A recent Wall Street Journal article[1] weighed in on the present generational debate of the university versus trade school (or no college at all) approach.  Despite qualifying grades and test scores, a growing number of students are considering more affordable vocational schools over costly four-year degrees.  To many, going to a university to get a job only then to work a job to pay for school doesn’t make a lot of sense.
 
This growing trend may be the answer to your staffing needs.
 
For years, medical practices have struggled with consistent staffing because many of their candidates have a four-year degree and a hefty amount of college debt.  Practices can’t afford a salary high enough to retain degreed employees or to even hire them in the first place. 
 
But if employers begin working with counselors in high schools to make them aware of the opportunity, a pipeline of qualified employees may spring up.  Summer internships can be created, and the positions in the medical field can become destination spots for many students.
 
Putting an end to the constant turnover of employees would enable your practice to grow consistently and provide better care for your students.  The path to this solution may very well be the soon to be graduating 18-year-old.
 
Gordon Duncan is the CEO/Consultant of ProSight Success and has trained employees for nearly 20 years.  ProSight offers a host of resources for the optometric and small business field.  You can find front desk training at our Front Desk Academy.  Additional resources can be found below:
 
Digital ProSight Success System
Paperback ProSight Success System
 
And our best value:  the ProSight Success Workbook that includes a digital copy and a free hour of consulting.
 
 
 
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[1] https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/college-or-trade-school-its-a-tough-call-for-many-teens/ar-BBJSMwr?ocid=spartanntp

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