Online Staffing Training Remote Onboarding Retention HR Onboarding COVID-19

How to Onboard and Train Caregivers Remotely

Medflyt Central

With COVID-19 pandemic protocols of social distancing in place, HR departments of home healthcare agencies have been moving forward with hiring and training new caregivers virtually. This requires technology that allows agencies the capabilities to do these important tasks remotely.

With "remote capable" HR tech, many agencies that were seeking to streamline and make their systems more efficient and have already been transitioning to remote training and onboarding - not knowing how vital this capability would become with the restrictions of COVID-19.

Benefits of Remote Onboarding and Training Apps

Agencies that utilize "remote-capable" technologies have been ahead of the curve in remote training and onboarding. Caregivers have found many benefits of working for home health care agencies that utilize this technology through:

Convenience of Training

Caregivers have found that through an agency’s remote capabilities they can receive training anywhere at any time. Caregiver’s do not have to take the time and expense to travel to a physical location. They can receive their training at home or during down times when they are traveling or in between appointments.

Training via Mobile Devices

Agencies that utilize mobile app technology allows their caregivers the ability to receive their training with the convenience of their mobile devices. Agencies can provide numerous training opportunities and document hours and attendance as well. Caregivers are given a wide variety of choice of topics at their fingertips. Caregivers can even stop and continue their training as their schedule allows.

Multiple Languages / Multilingual Needs

Today’s home health caregivers come from very diverse backgrounds. Remote training on mobile apps is available in multiple languages to cut across cultural boundaries.

Fulfilling Training Requirements

Home health caregivers are required to fulfill many hours of training to fulfill their yearly certification requirements. With the ability to receive training remotely via mobile apps, caregivers are not restrained by time and travel to meet those requirements, thus making it easier to maintain their certification. 

Communication with Trainers and Administrators

A key component of successful training is communication with trainers and administrators.  An agency that utilizes training through mobile apps can supply their employees all of the tools necessary for real-time communication at their fingertips. An administrator can guide the caregiver to training that is specific to their current job or future position.

Time and Money Savings

By utilizing mobile apps for training caregivers remotely, home health agencies can save time and money. There is no need for travel to a physical site for training nor time taken for travel.  In the past, employees may have attended a training that might require lodging accommodations and even air travel. By saving money through remote training, agencies can devote more to the employee and service to the client. Through mobile apps, an employee’s time and attendance in training can be easily tracked saving valuable time for administrators.

Onboarding Readiness

The first 90 days of a new hire are critical in evaluation of their skills, fulfilling the required initial training and learning the culture of their agencies. Remote training through mobile apps can quicken the process of getting them fully acclimated and onboard.

Remote Training Important for Employee Retention

The unique challenges emerging from COVID-19 in regards to hiring, training and retaining qualified and dedicated home health caregivers is an on-going battle and success is key for the future of an agency.

There is stiff competition for qualified home health care professionals as thousands of agencies are competing for their unique skills. The staff turnover rate is very high as workers strive to improve their economic situation and search for an agency that offers the best pay, tools and work environment The key to hiring, training and retaining qualified and talented caregivers lies in the utilization of mobile healthcare apps.

Flexibility of Work Schedule

Often, training of quality home health caregivers can hinge on the flexibility and agency can provide in scheduling. Caregivers and other professionals can have complicated work schedules.  Working weekends, holidays and nights are commonplace. Normally a caregiver's life revolves around their work schedule. Add training requirements and it can be a bit overwhelming. Agencies that utilize a mobile app for remote training can allow the caregiver the flexibility to choose training based on their availability. They adjust their schedules accordingly and also can manage their own daily activities and familial responsibilities.

The Future of Home Health HR

The year 2020 has proven that the forward-thinkers involved in streamlining home health care were right on the money. Improving care for the elderly and homebound was the intent, but as it turned out, the home health care industry was ahead of the game and was able to easily pivot for the care of the additional home-bound COVID-19 patients. Mobile app technology will continue to play an increasing and vital role.

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