Learning how to do your job at the beginning is an important first step, but as the healthcare industry evolves, so too do the positions of those that work in it. Coders, billers, managers, and anyone else who works for a practice must be ready to change their ways and learn new processes on a regular basis, a challenge that can be demanding for anyone. Thankfully, there are a few basic tips that any practice can use to make workplace learning easier for all staff members.

Ditch The “That’s How We’ve Always Done It” Attitude

Few things can kill progress faster than saying “We do it this way because that’s how it’s always been done.” Whether the issue is something as minor as where files are stored or something as major as how your entire workflow operates, assuming that the first way is automatically the best way is rarely the right move. If coworkers or patients comment about a process that could potentially be done better, look into why you do it that way and how you could potentially improve upon it.

Offer & Accept Help

Although some offices operate under a “sink or swim” culture where employees are expected to simply “figure it out” whenever they have a problem, this notion is hardly conducive to proper learning. If you see a coworker having trouble with something you understand, offer to show them any tips or tricks that have worked for you. On the flip side, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you’re the one on the struggling end.

Keep Up To Date

While these first tips set the stage for a culture of learning, this last one focuses more on the knowledge itself. The medical field is always changing, which means constant updates to codes, regulations, and much more. Instead of leaving your coworkers to discover these changes themselves, promote the idea of training sessions that can help keep everyone on top of new developments. One such possibility is MMI’s ICD-10 updates webinar, a presentation that will review the 2019 coding updates that apply to all practices and facilities. If you haven’t gathered your team and reviewed these coming changes, there has never been a better time to start!