I Think NEHTA Should Read This Closely. It Might Help Save on Staff Turnover Costs. Certainty On Other Matters Is Also Needed!

The following popped into view a few days ago and reminded me of the astonishing staff turn-over rates (28-30% per annum) that seem to prevail at NEHTA - according to the CEO as Senate Estimates a little while ago.

5 ways to attract the best health IT employees

October 27, 2011 | Michelle McNickle, Web Content Producer

Implementing the latest health IT is a challenge in and of itself, but having a competent team makes it that much easier. Fred Pennic, senior advisor with Aspen Advisors and author of the blog Healthcare IT Consultant, suggests five ways to attract the best health IT employees. 

1. Having a strong employer brand and culture. According to Pennic, top IT prospects are attracted to companies with a well-established and respected brand that also coincides with their own personal brand. "Employers must continue to establish and/or maintain a strong brand that will attract the best HIT talent,” he said. 

2. Creating a positive work environment. “All employees want to work and thrive in a positive working environment,” said Pennic. Not to mention, a healthy environment helps reduce employee turnover rate, while negative and destructive environments tend to upset employee morale. “[That] will motivate top HIT talent to leave for better opportunities,” he added. “Let’s face it, no one wants to work for a negative superior who never provides any positive feedback.” Ensuring top talent is rewarded and recognized for their accomplishments and efforts is also key, said Pennic. 

3. Offering career development opportunities. To retain the best IT employees, it’s essential employers continue to keep them engaged. “[This should be] what the employees feel is ‘meaningful work,’” said Pennic.

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4. Ensuring flexibility.

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5. Providing competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits.

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More here:

http://healthcareitnews.com/news/5-ways-attract-best-health-it-employees

It would seem to me that point number three needs to be looked at closely here. Feedback I get suggests that the combination of a drop dead date as of July, 2012 and a lack of early reassurance that an ongoing job will materialise must be weighing a little. Also the lack of any apparent progress on all sorts of fronts for a long while and now a mad rush with ‘tiger teams’ can’t be helping!

It is utterly incompetent on the part of NEHTA’s senior management and even more importantly the NEHTA Board to not have had this totally sorted long since.

There are over 200 people who work with NEHTA and it is fair to say they all deserve much greater clarity and consideration than is presently apparent.

A look here will show that COAG meetings (to get funds approval) seem now to be few and far between.

http://www.coag.gov.au/coag_meeting_outcomes/archive.cfm

There was one in 2010 and so far 2 in 2011. With the last one at the end of August, 2011 and with the last Parliamentary Session happening this week (The Reps rise on Nov 24, 2011 with 3 extra days in the following week - if required - for the year) on wonders if they will all be waiting until the end of the ‘silly season’ for some clarity.

This is also, complicated by the fact that there is no funding for the PCEHR committed after a one microsecond go live on July, 1 2012. If the PCEHR folds where does that leave the associated NEHTA staff?

Everyone needs a great deal more clarity I would suggest!

David.