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In the technology-driven climate today, online shift scheduling software has gone from being just a luxury to being mandatory for all EMS facilities serious about being organized and efficient, and deliver high-quality patient care.
An emergency department requires the right doctors around the clock. Scheduling software must be capable of providing real-time updates.
Scheduling software allows ER departments to build schedules for various doctors and sub-specialties. It uses a rule-based system, ensuring every clinical rule, union policy or human resources protocol is automatically enforced. But, what should you look for in scheduling software for emergency medicine? These seven features are at the top of the list.
1. On-Call Scheduling
Physician scheduling software should improve the creation and management of the on-call schedule dramatically. It should streamline communication for all ER team members and allow them to access their schedules through their mobile devices.
2. Automation
Emergency medicine scheduling software should automate much, if not all, of your present manual processes. This frees your time up to tackle other important aspects of your job for your organization.
3. Configurability
Shift scheduling software should be flexible enough to enhance workflow while conforming to your current practices. It shouldn't require you to change your practices and policies to meet the software. For instance, a lot of operations have various holiday pay policies. An effective software program should either natively support your organizations unique holiday pay policies or be easily modified.
4. Mobile Access
Chances are your doctors access their schedules mainly through a mobile device like their phone or tablet. The scheduling software will provide mobile-optimized access with a responsive design for both managers and doctors. In today's technology-driven environment, have smartphone applicability, is an absolute must.
5. Shift Trading
Shift trading isn't unique to EMS. The physician scheduling software should allow doctors to do this, whether it's through a system-wide trade or shift posting bulletin board or one-on-one offers. The software should additionally allow the option to either require a manager's approval for shift trading or automatically make the switch if both doctors agree.
6. Notifications
You should be able to send messages directly through the software to your staff. Your doctors should be able to acknowledge receipt of the important messages. These capabilities will simplify the process of finding doctors to fill positions and enhance accountability.
7. Fast Request Processing
The software should allow you to process requests automatically for CMEs, vacation days, shift swaps, and more. You should be able to let the software know which types of requests to automatically approve and those you want to review manually.
When evaluating scheduling software for emergency medicine, be sure it has the features that are most important to your organization, your staff, and most importantly, your patients.
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