Workplace culture affects far more than just the employees; it also reaches to client experience and quality of work. This is an essential consideration in any company, but especially for healthcare offices. Patients will pick up on toxic workplaces reflected in their interactions and the attitudes of people they come into contact with. Consequently, it’s crucial to foster a positive work culture to build patient trust and create a positive space for patient care. Here are a few steps that can help.
Implement a Mentorship Program
The onboarding process is key to helping new employees acclimate and ensuring everyone is on the same page about day-to-day procedures. A week of formal orientation is a great start, but it is rarely enough to prepare an employee for every situation they might encounter, and it can be hard to remember every piece of information from that short time. To avoid stressed and frustrated employees, consider implementing a mentorship program in which new hires are paired with a more experienced employee in the same department. This will give the new employee a contact for questions and clarifications and help them make social connections, improving overall office morale and collaboration.
Host Social Events
Working in a healthcare setting can be stressful. It can be challenging to make meaningful connections with coworkers amidst hectic schedules, and over time, this can lead to a disconnected team that doesn’t run smoothly. To help combat this, host social events from the office regularly. This might include holiday parties, an annual picnic, or other kinds of outings. Implementing these activities will help employees form positive relationships outside of work, which will be reflected in the overall culture of the office.
Cultivate Compassion
Especially in healthcare, compassion is critical. Not everyone is naturally empathetic or good with patient interactions, so take time to model compassion as a leader. Consider hosting periodic training sessions to prepare employees to respond compassionately to various situations that might arise. Additionally, enforce a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of bullying or intimidation. Compassion should not only be extended to patients but also to coworkers.
Highlight Achievements
Finally, take time to recognize the excellent work employees do. This might include celebrating work anniversaries or birthdays, as well as calling out specific achievements. Not only does this give that employee recognition and help them feel appreciated, but it also highlights the kinds of behaviors and quality of work other employees should emulate.
Transforming a workplace culture can be challenging, but with these practices in mind, healthcare practices can grow into positive and welcoming spaces to give patients the care they deserve.