For those in the medical field, ICD-10 is something that has been part of your vocabulary for a while and most health care professionals wonder how the newest procedures, set to be adopted in October 2014, will affect them. If you are wondering about the impact, you are not alone. Since 1983, this medical classification list has provided the ability for those in the industry to track new diagnosis and classify medical issues. It has streamlined the diagnosis process and helped prevent confusion in the international health care field.  This continues to be a driving force in better care throughout all healthcare facilities in the country and within the world. Changes bring the need to learn what is different and to also know how your practice will be affected.

Forward Progress
ICD-10 is the biggest change in standard healthcare coding system in decades and the transition from ICD-9 to 10 will impact every aspect of the healthcare coding system that uses a diagnosis code. There are no exceptions for a grace period and when it switches, it’s done. Over 25 countries are already poised to accept the classifications and this will create a streamlined medical system for every country involved. It will help with the following aspects of medical care:

• Payments and insurance issues: When the diagnosis, procedures, and classifications are the same, they can be processed faster and more efficiently.
• Reduce errors. With a simple classification system, everyone will be on the same page instead of trying to read and interpret what others have written down and passed on.
• Increase precision.  Each diagnosis can be more exact and clear for others to understand.

An example of the forward progress being made is along the lines of how ICD-9 is not “left or right” specific so instead of a code stating, “broken wrist”, the new code will say “left broken wrist.” It is easy to see how this will help the medical community in the future.

How to Prepare
Because the new codes will be more specific, it will take some time for you and your staff to remember and learn what should be included. In the past, you may have classified something differently or just used a generic term but now you will be required to use the right code. It may take time to sort through the options but in the end it will save time due to the lack of errors avoided with the correct coding. The learning curve will be the biggest hurdle of ICD-10 for the majority of facilities and team members but with proper training, it can be minimized.

Pinnacle is poised to work with clients to properly implement ICD-10 and with the latest staff innovations, each team member can have the necessary knowledge to perform at your facility. Have additional questions? Contact us today!

The job is yours and a sense of relief washes over you. Now it’s time to start the next chapter of your life, working in a career you love and in a company where you can grow. After sending a quick ‘thank-you’ email to the medical recruiter who placed you, you embark on this exciting journey and time spent on resumes, interview prep, and your recruiter’s phone number become a thing of the past. Before you forget about that recruiter and stop updating your resume, you may want to reconsider at least staying in contact with the person who got you the job. Even though you are happy with the new job, it is never a smart idea, in any economy, to be closed to new opportunities or neglect networking with those in your field.

Increase your Circle
Your personal network is one of the most valuable assets you have in your life. Some are there for you in personal ways while others support you professionally but regardless of their role, they are your circle, your connections. These are the first people you turn to when you need help or to share good news and your medical recruiter should become part of your professional circle. While it’s not necessary to talk on a daily basis, regularly checking-in with them will prove to be beneficial for several reasons:

1. They are your advocate. This is one person in your professional life that wants to help you and will do what they can for you to achieve success.  They have proven their abilities to you by placing you in the position you currently have so it is safe to assume they have your best interest in mind for future placement.
2. Increase your personal network. It’s important to keep in mind that as you grow in your career, you’ll meet new people and they may come back into your life again at some point so you should treat everyone well. If you have connections at other medical facility it doesn’t mean you are switching jobs but you can learn from their situations and practices to improve yours. There may be a time in the future when you need to change jobs and having the people in place to help ahead of time can be a time and stress reliever.
3. You can give back. It feels good to assist someone else and your medical recruiter is no exception. They got you in a great job so why not send friends and family to them when they need to be placed? If you stay in contact with the medical recruiter, you’ll see their available jobs and can send business their way.

Throughout your job search, your recruiter probably became your friend and someone who provided objective advice to you on a regular basis. They are someone you want to keep in your life for the long haul not only as someone you may need but as someone you appreciate for the work they did for you.

Looking for employment in San Antonio? Pinnacle Workforce provides an array of staffing services to clients across the nation, in 37 states. Contact our team of experts today for more information!

Nurses are the backbone of any medical facility, and without their knowledge, skills, and care, the physicians wouldn’t be able to achieve the results they do with their patients. The nurses may not receive the same amount of formal training as the doctors but they are still expected to have the same amount knowledge when patients need information. A nurse is the first person to assist a patient with their problems or recovery yet who gives the nurse help? Over the past several years, nurses can be seen running the halls with their hands full of supplies and their smartphones. There has been an increase in the amount of apps designed specifically to help these healthcare heroes and these apps have been able improve the productivity levels of these already amazing people.

Latest and Greatest Apps for Nurses
In 2012, Apple compiled a list of the top apps that are working to help nurses with their daily workloads and with at least 11 that made the list, it makes sense as to why nurses are rarely without their smart phones most days. With apps designed to help with organizational skills to other apps that will allow staff members to communicate using the hospital user directory and VoIP system, a nurse now has several options for help any time of the day or night. Here are some of the most useful smart phone apps available for nurses:

1. Voalte One by Voalte: This is an app designed to make communication around the hospital easier. The name of the company is derived from the elements of the app itself, voice, alarms, texts (vo-al-te).  It enables calls across the hospital and texting based on the user directory as well as alarms that can be customized for the needs of each nurse.
2. Nursing Central by Unbound Medicine: A unique app that puts information in the hands of nurses in seconds of a question. With a database of over 5,000 drugs and over 65,000 definitions, nurses will be able to interpret hundreds of lab and diagnostic tests on their own in a matter of minutes. Complete with pictures and a user-friendly interface, this is a must-have for nurses of any age and experience level.
3. Patient Touch by PatientSafe Solutions:  This app touts its ability to organize each patient the nurse has from their meds to care required, and even their necessary labs. It will alert the appropriate resources of what is going on with the patient and keep things moving in a forward direction for excellent care to be given. It is said to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency with which a nurse can work and in turn will decrease unnecessary costs and human error.

The high demand and stress placed on nurses can result in mistakes, which are unintentional but can still create problems. The smart phone apps currently available are designed to be the added help a nurse can use to their benefit on a daily basis.

Have additional questions? Pinnacle Workforce provides an array of healthcare staffing services to clients across the nation, in 37 states. Looking for employment? Contact us today!

In January 2014, the Affordable Care Act was implemented and it has caused quite a stir within companies of all sizes. The biggest impact was felt within the smaller ones with employee counts around 50+. The legislature mandates that every company with more than 50 employees working full-time will need to offer health insurance or pay a penalty. This means those staff members working more than 30 hours a week will need to be covered with insurance or have their hours reduced to avoid penalties and fees. Due to the idea that most staffing agencies place temporary employees, companies have started to capitalize on the idea of maximizing this type of employment option to save money and avoid the hassle of providing benefits to their full-time team members.

Benefits of the ACA to Temp Employees
The negative impact of the ACA can be felt throughout companies for many of the full-time employees who may have their hours cut-back or they may even be without a job before too long. Uncertainty has become the hurdle these companies have to overcome as the future of their companies is unknown; how will they grow without being forced to increase their healthcare budgets or pay the fines? This is where the use of temporary employees comes into play as these employees can become vital team members and maintain the business momentum without the hassles.

Temp Employees are not Under-Qualified Employees
Most temporary employees understand they are not going to receive benefits such as healthcare, stock options, or even a guaranteed number of weekly hours and they are okay with that fact. Maybe all they need is up to 30 hours a week and they have their own personal health insurance so they make the perfect candidate for any company struggling with the new ACA legislature. In the long-term, each company will benefit from having a dedicated temporary team member, even as a temporary employee. The common misconception of hiring a new team member from a staffing agency is that they may not be as qualified or devoted as someone who is full-time but that is not usually the case. Many of these employees are highly qualified but struggling to find work after a personal move, a company lay-off, or even after a career change but would be an asset to any company.

Increased Hirings
The ACA has increased the hiring of employees from staffing agencies as the company can fill the vacancy without changing their healthcare budgets or being forced to pay penalties. In turn, many of these temporary employees will work the maximum hour allotment and that will allow them to contribute positively to their local economy. The ideal situation for most team members would be a steady 40+ hour work week complete with benefits but with the passing of the ACA, the employment world has changed. Smart staffing and contingent work force companies will capitalize on this and provide highly qualified employees to their clients.

Looking for work in  San Antonio? Pinnacle Workforce provides workforce solutions to healthcare organizations across San Antonio and the surrounding areas. If you have any questions on how our team can positively impact yours, contact us today!

Certain generations come with stereotypical characteristics and misconceptions. The Millennials are one of the most misunderstood generations in the workforce today. They are categorized as lazy, entitled, and even media-obsessed but in reality, they are ambitious and want to leave a positive mark on the world. Millennials care about their work environment and making friends at work is important to them. Certain perks at work have a higher priority to this generation than to others. In the past, pay and benefits were the cornerstone for happy team members but this group prefers to enjoy their work and to be recognized for what they do.

Characteristics of Millennials
Is your organization interviewing and hiring Millennials? In order to understand the candidates and what they bring to your company, you should take the time to understand their viewpoints and their ideas.

• They want to be part of a company, embrace the culture, and understand what makes it work. They may ask questions about the break room, lunchtime, and the social perks of the workplace; it’s not because they are selfish but rather this is an important factor.
• This is an educated group of candidates. Many have some form of higher education and may even strive to complete more within the next several years.
• Personal development is a factor in the final decision regarding the job acceptance.
• They would prefer social media freedom, device flexibility, and work mobility over a higher salary. While this seems strange to the older generations who will work overtime to obtain more pay and the culture isn’t an issue, this is a necessary element to the hiring package for a millennial.
• Recognition is important to these team members. They prefer to be praised in public rather than to be given a performance review at the end of a quarter. It is also important to have open lines of communication with your team either by email, text, or even a quick online chat hangout.
• You don’t need to hand out large rewards to Millennials. A simple lunch, afternoon off, or even the ability to come in late after a big project is completed, will be motivation for them and convey your appreciation.
• Millennials are ambitious and want to achieve personal success. Their own goals are something they work towards. Not only in their personal lives but also at work.

There are some companies who shy away from hiring this generation but without good cause. You can hire Millennials and have confidence in their ability to perform the functions you require and more. This generation doesn’t shy away from sharing their life with those at work and forming close bonds. Their desire to build morale and a team spirit can create a strong cornerstone for your company.

If you have further questions contact expert medical and healthcare recruiters Pinnacle Workforce today!

The interview process isn’t easy for the one being interviewed or the one performing the interview. Most hiring managers will tell you they have a feeling one way or the other within the first five minutes of the interview but many will continue the interview process to be considerate to the candidate. If the candidate isn’t hired, they may come back with questions. Those who truly want to improve in their job search can sometimes come back to the hiring manager with questions such as “why didn’t you hire me” or “what can I do to improve?”  Some hiring managers will reply with a generic statement but it can be beneficial to provide honest answers to the questions, in order to improve the overall job applicant pool.

Role Reversal
Put yourself in the shoes of the candidate and consider how it would help you to know the weak areas of an interview. It could be something simple but was a negative factor in the interview, yet it could be changed. When you’re given the opportunity to provide feedback, always do so in a tactful and gracious manner. Here are some guidelines to answering the tough question of why you chose one candidate over the other.

1. Start the conversation with a positive tone. Provide them with information about their resume, experience, and interview techniques that they did right. If you are sending an email, start it off with something simple that builds them up as a person.
2. Point out areas where the candidate can improve. If their education wasn’t up to company standards, explain how the company prefers to hire candidates with an advanced degree. This is something they can change and rather than stating they don’t have enough education, give them a way to remedy the problem.
3. Tactfully explain the qualifications the hired candidate possessed that made them more desirable to the company. It can be helpful to explain the hired candidate had more experience in the field or a stronger educational background.
4. If they were a viable candidate, when the problems could be remedied, invite them to re-interview in several months. Otherwise, wish them luck in their search.

No one likes to be rejected, especially for a promising new job, but as a hiring manager, you can provide insightful feedback to candidates when they ask and ease the rejection a bit. Be kind but also remember it won’t help if you are misleading with your answers. You have the chance to be a mentor to another person in their job hunt so take advantage of that by giving them constructive criticism and guidance on how they can improve.

Have additional questions on hiring in the new year? Contact the experts at Pinnacle Workforce!

In the past, an interview was based solely on what the person told you, what you could discover from their references, and their demeanor at the interview. As the hiring manager, it was easy to make a mistake based on the initial interview and a gut feeling but with the plethora of information now available online, it is easier to make an educated hiring decision. From social media pages to prior work experience, check leading social media platforms to find out pertinent information about the candidates you are interviewing.

Benefits of Social Media Profiles
The interview process will bring out the best in a candidate. They will show up polished, dressed in their best and ready to impress but it can be difficult to distinguish an act from the real deal. Using the internet can prove to be the right platform to find out the right kind of information. If you are like most people, you enjoy looking at others on social media platforms; it can give you a deeper understanding of who they are as people. Some of the major benefits of social media include:

• Truth. You have a better chance of finding out the truth regarding a particular candidate. For example, they may have attended a certain college but didn’t graduate. Their social media page may clearly state this and you will know the exact information.
• Motive. There are some candidates who will be interested in your company only to gain proprietary information. They may have friends at another company and plan to share some trade secrets with them, in spite of an employment agreement.
• Motivation. Is this potential candidate motivated to work? Do you see a trend on their pages to laziness and a lax attitude or is there a good mix of fun and work? Every social media page will have some pictures and statements of the lighter side of life but there should be a balance.
• Reputation. Social media pages tend to be a dumping ground for pictures, fights, and even the airing of grievances. Does this candidate seem to have a lot of drama on their pages? Are there embarrassing photos anywhere? If hired, this candidate will be part of the company and be part of the company front; would that be a positive or negative thing?

Not every candidate will have a full social media profile and they may only use the professional sites such as LinkedIn for the employment searches. It is wise to search for the candidate online in order to determine their impact on your organization. A strong social media presence isn’t always looking for the negative aspects as sometimes you may learn more about a candidate, creating a desire to hire them over the competition.

Have additional questions on how to properly screen candidates? Contact us today to learn about the advantages of partnering with us for your hiring needs.

As a manager, you want to treat your team members well but you don’t always have the ability to provide monetary incentives. Is there something else you can offer to show your appreciation? What does your team enjoy? You first have to understand what is important to them, as each person will be different but many times there will be a common currency that is not just money.

If you’re looking for some creative ways, here are just a couple unconventional benefits your staff might truly enjoy:

1. Flex schedules.
   This is a growing trend with companies and while it may seem disorganized, it can be a great benefit. Not only does this give them time to complete personal tasks that are important to them but it can allow them to focus while they are at work. For example, if your team members have children in school, they won’t want to miss out on school programs, sports games, or other important events. Would you rather have an employee who leaves early but completes all their work or an employee who is not focused on their work but rather thinking about the missed performance?
2. Break room snacks.
   This used to be a fairly standard benefit for employees but some companies did away with free waters, coffees, and snacks to help reduce costs. Not only does it hurt the health of the staff but the camaraderie that was built in the break room is now non-existent. Your team will benefit from staying hydrated, having healthy snacks, and even just getting up to walk around. Friendships and team building is cultivated in the casual conversations in the break room, hallways, and downtime throughout the day.
3. Company catered lunches.
   This doesn’t have to happen daily but once or twice a month, providing lunch to your employees can be a huge morale booster. Even if they don’t like the food, the effort put into it will not be lost on them.
4. Personal days.
   Do you have certain teams that have worked long hours to complete a project? Why not offer them an afternoon off? Let them take off early on a Friday after lunch. Not only can they relax earlier in the day but they may be able to spend time with their families, and that will help to keep them grounded during the busy weeks.

Make sure you know your team before requesting they participate in any type of benefit you design for them. They may not respond well and it will be seen as a negative aspect of work rather than as the positive action you intended. As a manager or business owner, you have the ability to improve the lives of your staff, without dipping too far into the company budget. Taking the time to demonstrate your appreciation will go far with your staff.

Have additional questions? Pinnacle Workforce expands on our mission to provide affordable staffing solutions, bringing proven experience and a reputation for excellence to the unique needs of the healthcare industry. Contact us today to learn how a partnership with our team can positively impact yours!

Due to the nature of this politically charged government bill, it can be hard to determine what the truth is and what is propaganda put out there with an ulterior motive. In order to fully understand this new healthcare law and how it affects you, it is important to realize the facts of this new health care plan. You can then form an educated opinion about Obamacare and its impact on your life.

The Foundation
The Affordable Care Act, ACA, or Obamacare are all the same thing and it is part of the reform signed into action by President Obama in 2010 designed to provide quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending. The ACA has a goal to expand the private and public sectors of health insurance so more people can afford it without having to sacrifice on the quality of the program. Here are some quick facts about this new healthcare reform meant to educate and inform:

• Obamacare does not replace private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid
• It regulates health insurance, not the care you will receive.
• All insurers are required to cover those with pre-existing conditions.
• Insurance companies can no longer drop you when you get sick or make an honest mistake on your applications.
• The insurance companies can no longer hike up your rates and they must do away with life-time and annual limits.
• There are ten essential health benefits that must be included on all non-grandfathered plans with no annual or lifetime dollar limits: outpatient care, emergency room care, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and addiction treatment, prescription drugs, rehab services and devices, laboratory services, preventative and chronic disease treatment, pediatric services.
• Immunizations, yearly checkups, counseling, and screenings are all included in the free preventative care that must be included on all non-grandfathered plans.
• Most Americans will have to obtain healthcare coverage, get an exemption or pay a monthly fee/penalty if they do not have the appropriate insurance.
• The ACA reduces the growth in healthcare spending that is currently the standard.

If you still have questions about this new healthcare law, you should search the internet or talk to a health care insurance professional to learn the facts. When you have the facts and knowledge about how the mandates will affect you, you can make educated decisions about your own healthcare or that of your company. From large corporations to the small corner business, the ACA has different requirements and unless you know what they are, you may feel overwhelmed and panicked. The staff at Pinnacle Workforce is here to help you with your concerns about the ACA and how it will affect your employment, your team, or even your ability to hire new team members.

Without a competent staff, your business would likely cease to exist. It’s no secret that a strong company starts with the leadership and how they inspire their teams but how do you do this in your everyday work habits? Your company may not have the funding to offer lavish parties, catered lunches, or even new computers but there are many ways to boost employee morale without overspending. The fact that you are reading this article speaks volumes about your good-heart and desire to improve the lives of those in your organization.

Here are 5 simple steps you can implement today and watch your employees respond in a positive way, without having to change the budget:

1. Take time to celebrate accomplishments.
   Being acknowledged at work is one of the keys to boosting employee morale. When hard work is recognized such a new client gained or a successful pitch was made, your team should know how much it is appreciated. You can go for a big celebration or a quick email sent to the entire company will be sufficient for most people. No one wants to work hard and be ignored.
2. Allow flexible scheduling for your team to attend family activities.
   There is nothing worse for families on your team to know they are missing out on a school play, first dance, or championship soccer game because they have to work. You know your team and they would work over the weekend or late into the night to make up the time and work, so why not let give them the flex-time to attend this once in a lifetime event for their family?
3. Have fun.
   Yes, have fun at work. You don’t need to install game tables, lounge chairs, or a theater room but consider inviting a food truck to sit in the parking lot. Have employees dress up for the holiday of their choice. Create competitions for work incentives with prizes. Rent a popcorn machine to put in the office for a day. Give out candy from a local shop. Offer cookies or treats for no reason.
4. Think of team building activities.
   Contrary to once popular belief ,your employees won’t enjoy a day at the local obstacle course, especially on the weekends when they’d rather be home. Team building doesn’t have to involve physical activity but can be something as easy as a food or toy drive, volunteering, or sales incentives, anything that involves working for a common goal.
5. Lead by example and influence your staff.
   Staying positive during the day will inspire your team to do the same. If you walk around with a bad attitude and upset with every small problem, that negativity will permeate throughout the entire company. It starts at the top.

As a leader, you have the responsibility to ensure the staff at your facility has the tools they need to perform their jobs but you are also the key component to their morale. Without a positive work environment, your team will stop caring and your business will suffer. You care your staff and your business and improving their morale, you can be a strong leader for both.