There are a variety of reasons for why the tech shortage in the United States has never been more sorely felt than it has today: an increased number of patients, decreasing reimbursements and far more options for patients than ever before. Training is more demanding in light of more diagnostic tests, more surgical options, greater regulation, and a burgeoning demand for intravitreal injections for retinal offices.

This country offers a limited number of accredited COA, COT, or COMT courses. If you are lucky enough to be located near such a program, your practice is probably an externship site or vies with others for recent graduates. But, unfortunately, the vast number of practices cannot benefit from such programs.

Investment in training is key

The key to overcoming this shortage is an investment in training, which can yield loyalty, productivity and patient satisfaction. It is not enough to show a technician what to do — you must explain why a test or skill is performed and what an abnormal finding might indicate.

Employees can feel good about learning when you provide the right tools, the most important being one trainer and a plan that explains what will be taught and when. One trainer leads to consistency. This is important, for example, because when the doctor interprets data from the work up, he or she can know that the technique was performed identically among all the techs.

When hiring someone with little or no experience in ophthalmology, set expectations early, including your standard polices. Explain that you are investing in their career, and that they too must invest by studying, asking questions, and following up on their patients to learn the outcomes. When time allows, encourage them to observe your doctors while they examine patients. Also, make an eye exam part of your orientation period, complete with the common diagnostic tests. Quiz them in a non-threatening manner so they realize just how much there is to learn.

Most people come to work to be a productive member of the team. Recap what they learned at the end of the week or month so they understand how much more they now know. Gradually, they will feel empowered to continue learning, determined to provide great care to our patients.

The tech shortage isn’t going away, but you’ll be better equipped to handle it by investing in your current staff and creating competent techs. OP