Telehealth Compliance
One of the most important yet overlooked tasks within the human resources (HR) department of a telehealth organization is the management of professional certification. As the market of telehealth continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that HR professionals understand the necessity of monitoring and maintaining certified employees’ credentials. In this article, we will explore the concept of professional certification management, delve into its advantages, and provide some steps for HR executives in the telehealth industry to effectively revolutionize their respective organization’s approach to managing professional certification.
Professional Certification Management is a process by which HR professionals track and maintain certifications or qualifications of its employees. Depending on the type of telehealth occupation, different certification programs are offered to employees. These certification programs create a distinction of excellence and often come with a variety of benefits ranging from increased salary to improved competitive edge. Although these benefits motivate employees to maintain their certifications, it is the responsibility of the HR department to ensure that all such credentials are up-to-date. Proactive tracking and management of professional certification is crucially important in the telehealth industry because it ensures that employees are legally and professionally qualified to perform their duties, and can maintain competency with the rapidly changing technology landscape.
Revolutionizing professional certification management requires a shift in approach towards implementation of organizational protocols, automation of administrative duties, and innovative reinforcement of compliance. HR executives who are seeking to implement this shift can benefit from taking the following steps:
1. Establish Employee Database: The first step to reliable professional certification management is to create or update an existing employee database to include a certification field, or otherwise markable column, which accurately tracks all credentials. Such a database should be accessible to authorized personnel, and all entries should be periodically consulted and reviewed.
2. Assign Evaluation Committee: Once the employee database is established, the HR organization should appoint an evaluation committee, or responsible entity, which is tasked with the regular review and verification of employee credentials. The committee should ensure that all credentials are valid, up-to-date and that any changes or updates in the nature of certification requirements are taken into account.
3. Automate Re-Certification Alerts: An important function of professional certification management process is the periodic consultation of employee credentials. Automating re-certification alerts through digitalization of the process can help HR executives ensure that new requirements, such as additional courses, can be attended and obtained in advance.
4. Reward Certification Renewal: Once the automated process for re-certification alerts has been established, it is essential to reinforce proper employee action by providing rewards for employees who comply in a timely manner. For example, organizations can provide employees who have renewed their certifications early with a financial reward or a greater number of days off.
These steps are only the preliminary steps towards effective professional certification management. Although HR executives in the telehealth industry have recognized the importance of managing employee certification, they have often been hindered by the administrative burden of tracking and maintaining such credentials. By taking a proactive, innovative approach and implementing the protocols outlined here, they can revolutionize the efficiency and effectiveness of their professional certification management processes.
