Category: Workplace Relations

Career Guidance, Homecare/Healthcare, Jobs for Nurses, Workplace Relations

The Importance of Work-Life Balance in Healthcare Staffing

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

The Importance of Work-Life Balance in Healthcare Staffing

Working in healthcare can be a very fulfilling profession, however, healthcare staff often find themselves working long shifts and sacrificing their own needs for their patients’ needs. This can be especially true when it comes to staffing schedules that require long hours and multiple shifts back-to-back. While this may seem like a necessary part of providing care in today’s world, there are significant risks associated with this such as burnout and a lack of balance between professional and personal lives. Taking the importance of work-life balance in healthcare staffing seriously fosters better patient outcomes and creates numerous other benefits within the healthcare industry.

72% of workers believe work-life balance is a critical factor when choosing a job.

Work-Life Balance with Servisource:

• We employ people living locally to serve our communities and businesses, eliminating the need for long distance travel, reducing the risk of fatigue and burnout.
• This ensures that when a staff member is booked, they are fully equipped to be by the patients’ side at short notice.
• We are focused on the development and retention of our people.
• We aim to deploy the same candidates for repeat roles ensuring continuity of business, fostering a strong relationship between candidate and client, leading to trusted partnerships, employee loyalty and retention.

Prevention of Burnout

Healthcare professionals often experience high levels of stress, attributed to various factors including long working hours, demanding patient care responsibilities, and emotional challenges. This can result in burnout, leading to physical and mental health issues, reduced job satisfaction, and compromised quality of care. To mitigate this among healthcare staff, promoting a better balance is imperative. The constant pressure to perform at a high level adds to the burden faced by healthcare workers. Burnout can be avoided in the following ways:

  • Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life.
  • Schedule short breaks throughout your workday to recharge.
  • If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek support from supervisors, colleagues, or employee assistance programs.
  • Avoid overcommitting to work responsibilities.

Servisource Tip

Set realistic goals and prioritise tasks.
It is important to learn to say “no” when necessary to prevent burnout.

Improved Patient Care

Healthcare professionals who prioritise their well-being and are well-rested can provide superior patient care. When healthcare staff are not overwhelmed or fatigued, they can make informed decisions, effectively communicate with patients and colleagues, and demonstrate empathy and compassion, resulting in improved patient outcomes. When they can effectively manage stress levels it equips them to meet the demanding requirements of their profession and benefit the patients they serve. A balanced lifestyle is crucial for healthcare professionals to replenish their energy and stay motivated, ultimately delivering the best possible care. This in turn provides the following:

  • Better health outcomes: When patients receive high-quality care that is tailored to their specific needs and conditions, they are more likely to experience better health outcomes.
  • Reduced medical errors: Improved patient care often involves better communication and coordination among healthcare providers.
  • Continuity of care: improved patient care emphasises the importance of continuity in healthcare, ensuring that patients receive consistent and coordinated care across different providers and settings.

Cost Savings and Efficiency

When healthcare professionals have a better balance between work and personal life, they are less likely to experience job dissatisfaction. This leads to lower turnover rates, reducing the need for new staff and frequent recruitment and training, which can be costly. Fewer unplanned absences mean that healthcare facilities can maintain optimal staffing levels and avoid the cost of hiring temporary replacements. The healthcare facility can even attract more workers and enjoy a positive reputation because of the way they take care of their current staff. Higher patient satisfaction can lead to increased revenue and reduced marketing costs. Savings and efficiency can also be maintained by:

  • Maintaining flexible schedules.
  • Time-off benefits in place.
  • An environment that encourages collaboration, communication, and flexibility.
  • Regularly checking in with staff on their well-being.

Work-life balance is critical for healthcare staffing and for the wellbeing of everyone involved. Healthcare organisations should work to create policies and systems that promote an appropriate distinction between work and life. Understanding the importance of having a manageable workload while still providing outstanding healthcare services is essential to the success of both organisations and individuals alike.

Healthcare providers should think critically about their workloads, prioritise self-care practices, maintain healthy communication with colleagues and supervisors, and remain aware of burnout risks within their organisation. Achieving this balance is not only beneficial for the individual, but also for the healthcare facility as a whole, as it leads to better employee retention and job satisfaction.

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Career Guidance, Workplace Relations

Making the Most of Your Temporary Work Assignments

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

Making the Most of Your Temporary Work Assignments

There is great potential for taking advantage of new opportunities when it comes to temporary work. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been in such a role before, with just a few simple practices and strategies, you’ll be well on your way towards making the most out of each and every project. From developing hard skills to networking with industry professionals, to communicating effectively, we give you some practical tips for making the most of your temporary work assignments.

How Servisource Can Help:

• Our training academy offer bespoke solutions, allowing candidates to hit the ground running, increasing productivity and innovation within the workplace.
• This also provides a positive working relationship between client and candidate.
• Our candidates are ready to work with a short lead-in time, regardless of where
clients are based. This creates a swift and effective recruitment and placement process.
• Read a testimonial to gain a better idea of what our services offer.

Be Proactive

Temp work can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door of a company or industry. Whether you’re seeking relief for a short period or looking for a long-term opportunity, being proactive in your approach can make all the difference. Proactivity can include reaching out to temp agencies regularly, attending job fairs and networking events, and keeping an open mind about potential work. Being proactive shows employers your initiative and eagerness to work, which can ultimately lead to more job opportunities and you may even potentially become a full-time employee.

Propose solutions or offer your assistance before being asked, as short term employees often bring fresh perspectives. Pay attention to the workflow and challenges of the team. If you have previous experience or knowledge that could be valuable to the team, don’t hesitate to share it. This can help the team avoid potential pitfalls or help to adopt best practices. By taking control of your temp work journey, you’re opening doors of opportunity you never knew existed.

Did You Know?

About 1 in 8 of all Irish employees work on a temporary contract and a little over 1 in 3 workers under 25 years of age are employed on temporary contracts.

Making the Most of Your Temporary Work Assignments

Understand the Goals

This kind of work can be a great way to gain valuable experience and supplement your income, but it’s important to understand the goals associated with it. Whether you’re looking to gain industry-specific skills, network with professionals, or simply earn money while searching for a permanent position, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what you hope to achieve. Without a defined goal, you may find yourself simply going through the motions, rather than actively working towards your desired outcome.

Knowing what is expected of you will help you focus your efforts and prioritise your tasks effectively. Have a conversation with your supervisor or manager to clarify the objectives and expectations of your assignment. Understand what you’re supposed to achieve, the timeframe for completion, and any specific deliverables. Gain a clear understanding of how your role fits into the larger context of the team and the organisation. This helps to see how your tasks contribute to the overall business goals. If your assignment involves multiple tasks, break down the goals into smaller, manageable steps. This makes it easier to track progress and stay focused. By identifying your objectives and staying focused on them throughout, you’ll be able to maximise the benefits of this unique opportunity.

Build Relationships

It is important not to underestimate the value of building relationships during short term work assignments. Taking the time to get to know your colleagues and superiors can pay off in the long run. Not only do these relationships increase your chances of being hired back for future projects, but they can also lead to referrals for other opportunities. Building lasting connections can provide a sense of community and support in an otherwise transient work environment.

Networking is crucial and can lead to future opportunities, references, and insights into the industry. Display an open and friendly demeanor. Smile, greet your colleagues warmly, and make yourself approachable for conversations. When conversing with colleagues, actively listen and show genuine interest in what they’re saying. This demonstrates your willingness to connect on a personal level. When working on projects or tasks with others, collaborate effectively and communicate openly. Share ideas, provide input, and be receptive to feedback. If your workplace hosts social events, such as team lunches or happy hours, make an effort to attend. These events provide informal settings to interact and get to know your colleagues better.

Making the Most of Your Temporary Work Assignments

Temporary work assignments in business support are an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise in the world of work. As well as providing invaluable experiences regardless of your qualifications and skills set, it can create new opportunities while broadening your network. Each position offers new challenges with rewards and potential career development prospects, this is why it is best to make the most out of your temporary work assignments and see what opportunities arise for you.

See what temping work can do for you.

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Workplace Relations

The Top 5 Trends in Employee Wellness

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
The Top 5 Trends in Employee Wellness

The Top 5 Trends in Employee Wellness

The modern workplace can be a high-pressure and often demanding environment, but employee wellness should always remain a top priority for organisations. A healthy and engaged workforce is key to long-term success. By staying on top of the latest trends in the industry, employers are better able to support their team members on their journey to reach optimal mental health and performance. We discuss the top 5 trends in employee wellness today and how they can positively impact productivity levels as well as business results.

Corporate Wellness with Servisource

• We work closely with our clients to understand the objectives & create programmes specifically for their needs.
• The aim of our Employee Wellness Programme is to educate and inform employees on developing individual practical changes to promote their physical, mental and social wellbeing.
• This will reduce health risks & improve the quality of life for the employee therefore increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism & improving the morale within your organisation.
• It includes: seminars & lunchtime talks on stress management, fitness challenges and self-care for leadership.
• You will have the peace of mind that our team are trained to the highest possible standards.

Remote Work Wellness

With the rise of remote work, occupational health departments have been adapting their strategies to cater to the unique challenges faced by remote employees. These programs now prioritise mental health resources, including virtual therapy sessions, mindfulness exercises, ergonomic assessments for home workspaces promoting healthy work habits, and catch-up video calls in addition to daily virtual workout classes.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and avoiding burnout are also emphasised, as the lines between professional and personal time can easily blur when working from home. With companies realising the importance of nurturing their employees’ wellness in this new work landscape, it seems as though this trend is here to stay.

Did You Know?

96% of businesses in Ireland have at least one employee wellbeing initiative in place compared to 86% of firms in Europe.

Mental Health Support

The awareness and importance of mental health in the workplace has been growing significantly. Occupational health departments have been implementing measures to address stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This might involve offering counselling services, stress reduction workshops, mindfulness sessions, and creating a supportive environment such as workshops, that reduce stigma around mental health discussions.

Supporting the mental health of their employees not only benefits the workforce, but also has a positive impact on business outcomes. Companies are taking proactive steps to create a supportive and healthy work environment for their employees creating a happier and more productive workplace overall.

Health Screenings and Prevention

Preventive measures have remained a key focus for occupational health departments. Regular health screenings, vaccinations, and health assessments help identify potential health risks early on, allowing employees to take proactive steps to improve their well-being. Wellness campaigns promoting healthy habits like smoking cessation, weight management, and chronic disease management also fall under this trend.

By offering employees access to preventative health screenings such as blood pressure checks and cholesterol tests, companies are empowering their workforce to take proactive steps towards taking care of their health. As these trends continue to grow in popularity, companies are demonstrating their commitment to the health and longevity of their employees.

Technology and Wellness Apps

Occupational health departments have been leveraging technology to promote employee overall health. Wellness apps and wearable devices have gained popularity to track physical activity, monitor health metrics, nutrition guidance and provide personalised recommendations. These tools can help employees stay engaged and motivated in their health and wellness journey.

With the integration of technology into these kinds of programmes, employers are seeing a reduction in healthcare costs and employee absenteeism. As we move forward, it’s likely that technology will continue to play a significant role in enhancing employee wellbeing.

Holistic Wellness Programs

Occupational health departments have been moving towards holistic wellness programs that focus on the overall well-being of employees. This includes not only physical health but also mental, emotional, and social well-being. Programs may encompass stress management, mental health support, nutrition guidance, fitness activities, and initiatives to foster work-life balance.

Holistic programs typically offer a range of activities and resources for employees, including healthy eating and exercise programs, stress management and mental health support, and initiatives that address community and environmental issues. When employees are treated as a whole person and supported in all areas of wellness, they are more likely to feel engaged, productive, and committed to their work. This can lead to a more positive and thriving workplace culture, and ultimately benefit both employees and employers.

Employee wellness is an essential part of any healthy workplace. The five trends discussed can help employers take steps to create healthier working environments and empower employees. Harnessing the power of workplace healthcare initiatives can have resounding positive effects on your workforce and help create a truly productive and successful organisation. When employers think outside the box it helps to maintain their current employee well-being as well as attracting potential employees too. With thoughtful planning and dedication, employers are sure to see results that will benefit them as well as the company as a whole.

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Homecare/Healthcare, Jobs for Nurses, Workplace Relations

Staying Up to Date with Industry Standards in Healthcare Training

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
Staying Up to Date with Industry Standards in Healthcare Training

Staying Up to Date with Industry Standards in Healthcare Training

Adequate training is a key component of providing healthcare services to your patients. Staying up to date with industry standards in healthcare training is important for your team so they don’t miss any critical information or fall behind competitors. It allows healthcare professionals in Ireland to provide the best possible care to patients and maintain their skills and knowledge.

However, keeping track of all the changes within this highly regulated industry can be daunting. Processes should be in place within healthcare facilities to keep staff informed about what’s expected of them and to stay compliant with necessary updates from regulatory bodies. There are various ways to stay informed and updated.

Professional Associations and Organisations

Joining relevant professional associations and organisations offer access to the latest research, guidelines, and training opportunities. It is beneficial for healthcare staff to attend conferences, webinars, and workshops to stay informed about the latest developments and best practices. It provides staff with the requirements and updates from accrediting bodies and certification agencies relevant to their profession. They inform them about updates through newsletters, journals and member portals. They also set the standards for healthcare training and may even release updates periodically.

Healthcare Associations and Organisations:

• National Irish Safety Organisation: a voluntary body dedicated to the promotion of health and safety in Irish workplaces.
• Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association: represents the international research-based pharmaceutical sector in Ireland.
• Irish Medical Organisation: represents doctors in Ireland to provide them with all relevant services.

Staying Up to Date with Industry Standards in Healthcare Training

Continuous Education

Healthcare professionals should engage in continuous education to maintain their licensure and certifications. The Irish government and relevant healthcare authorities regularly monitor and review training programs to ensure they meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population. Many professional bodies and institutions offer courses and workshops that cover the most recent healthcare advancements and standards.
Our blog, The Best Online Training Resources for Healthcare Professionals in Ireland offers insights into top training resources with the benefits outlined in The Benefits of Continuing Education for Healthcare Workers.

Education Tips for Healthcare Professionals:

• Create a schedule or set aside specific time for learning and staying updated with healthcare standards.
• Dedicate time each week to read journals, attend webinars, or engage in other educational activities.

Staying Up to Date with Industry Standards in Healthcare Training

Collaborate with Peers

Networking and collaborating with peers in the same field can be extremely valuable. Engaging in discussions and knowledge-sharing can help staff to stay informed about standards and best practices. Collaborating with peers on research projects related to healthcare training can lead to valuable insights and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field.
Joint research efforts may result in publications, presentations, or whitepapers that highlight the latest trends and advancements. Attending seminars and events allows staff to focus on specific topics or recent advancements and offers opportunities for interactive learning and discussions.

Advantages of Collaborating:

• Offers diverse perspectives on industry standards.
• Peers can review content for accuracy and relevance within the healthcare sector, ensuring that it meets the highest quality standards.
• Collaborating with peers can foster a sense of accountability and motivation to stay up to date.

Staying Up to Date with Industry Standards in Healthcare Training

At Servisource Training, we understand that training must be conducted by the right people. Our team are always flexible, and we continually provide training for our staff to ensure compliance is up to date. We offer best-in-class compliance and are certified with the quality standards ISO and JCI. We are a nationally recognised training institute certified to PHECC standards and affiliated with the Irish Heart Foundation and American Heart Association.

Servisource Training

We encourage all healthcare professionals to actively engage in training that is beneficial to them within their roles and in order to advance their career and personal development. Technology, innovation and continuous improvement are at the core of how we operate.

NHS worker

Staying up to date with industry standards is an ongoing process and healthcare professionals should dedicate the time to do this in order to provide the best possible care to their patients. Collaboration, joining professional associations and carrying out continuing education, can significantly contribute to professional development and allows healthcare professionals to stay up-to-date while enhancing patient care within the healthcare industry.

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