Question: What has been your biggest staffing challenge and how do you overcome it?
Lara Herndon: Retaining staff has been difficult for us as a company. We have expended a lot of time, energy and resources training staff, i.e., AORN’s Peri-op 101, only to have them leave us after their one-year commitment expires. Many of the nursing staff members leave for acute care facilities that are unionized and offer a far larger base salary that we can as independent ASCs.
Q: What is your philosophy on building and maintaining a positive culture at the ASC?
LH: As long as I am enjoying what I am doing, the staff seem to as well. We often do teambuilding activities. I am never afraid to admit that I am wrong, or to ask a team member’s opinion.
Q: What tips do you have for new administrators managing an ASC team for the first time?
LH: Read everything you can find on ASCs. Subscribe to Becker’s ASC Review and other subscriptions that provide such valuable insights.
Q: How have you challenged your team to grow in 2019?
LH: Work on retention and teambuilding.
More articles on surgery centers:
60 ASC income benchmarks to know
Trends in surgery center mergers and acquisitions for 2019
3 key factors driving joint surgery to the outpatient setting
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
