Essential Tips for Training Your Techs

Nov 18, 2024

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If you’re running an eye care practice today, you’re probably not a stranger to staffing challenges. Turnover rates have skyrocketed in recent years, putting ECPs in the difficult position of having to concern themselves with recruiting, hiring, and training more than ever before.

As reported by The Vision Council research manager, Vlad Gupan, “Hiring continues to be a weak point for eyecare practices, emerging as the biggest challenge in the final quarter of 2023.” In fact, the average turnover in optometric practices was 17% as far back as 2010, and staffing issues have only become more complex.

With most practices indicating they are slightly understaffed or just managing with current staff levels, it’s no wonder that 63% of eye care providers expect their staffing situation to remain the same in 2024, reflecting ongoing concerns.

32%
The number of practices reporting reduced staff compared to the prior year
58%
The percentage of ODs that experienced a higher staff expense over the last 3 years as a result of managing costs amidst high turnover
12%
The number of additional patients seen by ODs when assisted by trained, certified practice staff who save ODs 11 hours per week
Add to this already challenging scenario the need to ensure that every tech, whether new or existing, is thoroughly trained. With constant turnover and the pressure of maintaining a full schedule, the last thing you need is the added burden of inadequate training. Poor training can lead to a cascade of issues in an already strained staffing environment.

The Consequences of Poor Training

Unfortunately, the impact of poorly trained technicians is something no practice can afford to ignore. The repercussions extend far beyond the tech struggling with their tasks—poor training can ripple through your entire operation, leading to consequences that may include:

  • Increased Testing and Workup Time: An untrained or poorly trained tech may need more time to perform standard procedures, which slows down patient flow and leads to longer wait times.
  • Decreased Accuracy of Results: When techs don’t fully understand how to use diagnostic tools, errors become more likely. This not only affects patient outcomes but can also damage the credibility of your practice.
  • Reduced Practice Efficiency: If multiple techs are needed to operate the same test due to insufficient training, it creates a bottleneck, reducing efficiency and frustrating both staff and patients.

The fact is, with a well-trained tech, you’re going to get more reliable data, smoother testing processes, and patients who feel confident in every aspect of their care. In short, well-trained techs are the backbone of a thriving practice.

Practical Tips for Effective Training

So, how can you ensure your techs are as well-prepared as possible? Here are some practical tips to help you develop an effective training program:

  • Structured Onboarding Programs: Start with a well-defined onboarding process. Introducing your techs to the practice’s culture, procedures, and expectations right from the start sets the tone for their role. Consider creating checklists or training modules that cover the essential skills they’ll need to master.
  • Hands-on Training and Shadowing: Pair new techs with experienced staff for shadowing sessions. There’s no substitute for hands-on training, where techs can practice using equipment under supervision until they’re confident and competent.
  • Continuing Education and Skills Assessment: Keep the learning going! Ongoing training programs ensure that your techs stay updated on the latest technologies and techniques. Regular skills assessments can help you maintain high standards of proficiency. Look for any and all educational opportunities and resources that allow your techs to continue to learn and grow.
  • Collaborative Feedback: Create a feedback loop where techs can discuss challenges and receive constructive feedback from peers or doctors. While investing time in feedback sessions might seem like a burden, it pays off in the long run by fostering a supportive learning environment and identifying areas for further training.

Ultimate Tip: Adopting User-Friendly Technology

One of the smartest ways to make training easy is to look for opportunities to adopt user-friendly technology. We know that most practices work with tools that are difficult to master, so any opportunity to shorten the learning curve with intuitive technology is a worthwhile path to explore.

Tools designed with intuitive interfaces, patient-facing instructions, and simple operation reduce the learning curve for new techs, allowing them to perform at a high level more quickly. This minimizes the risk of errors and enhances overall practice efficiency. However, before you go off and purchase every new shiny device you see, keep in mind that not every piece of user-friendly technology is an upgrade. That’s why it’s so important to find tools that are both easy to use and substantially improve your standard of care.

As Miriam Korik, OD from the Optometry Advisor points out, “Technological updates in the office and exam room may not be proof of an optometrist’s ability to manage ocular surface disease or accurately provide refractive error correction, but streamlined communication, modernized instruments, and applications using virtual reality and artificial intelligence have the potential to enhance patient experience and add an element of credibility to an optometric practice.”

The VF2000 Is Among the Most User-Friendly Tools on the Market

The quintessential user-friendly tool, the VF2000 visual field headset is equipped with a intuitive, VR-based system that simplifies the entire testing process. Its self-guided interface leads patients through the testing procedure, reducing the amount of training time techs need to operate the device efficiently.

And it’s not just doctors saying so — stories about the VF2000 being easy to operate (and train others on) are coming straight from the people who matter: technicians themselves.

Sierra, a tech at Primary Eyecare Center, in San Luis Obispo, CA, shared her experience with the VF2000, saying, “I think it is one of the easiest instruments for us to train someone new or when I just need help with doing testing.”

By adopting such technology, you not only empower your techs but also ensure your practice runs like a well-oiled machine, with improved accuracy, efficiency, and patient satisfaction.
Amanda, from Vision Health Institute, in Orlando, FL, echoed this sentiment: “It’s more comfortable for the patient, it’s very easy to use. It’s one of the easiest things in our whole glaucoma workup.”

Give Your Techs a Leg Up

Well-trained techs are more than just a nice-to-have — they’re integral to the success of your eye care practice. By investing in effective training programs and user-friendly technology like the VF2000, you’re setting your practice up for long-term success.

Ready to take your practice to the next level? Get in touch to explore how the VF2000 can streamline your operations and boost your team’s confidence and competence!

What real users are saying about the VF2000:

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