Introduction
Kaiser Permanente is the largest managed health care organizations in the United States and was started in 1945 by a businessman called Henry J Kaiser. His partner for the venture was a physician called Sydney Garfield. The organization has a large number of physicians, nurses and other medical and health related professional working under it apart from its general and administrative staff. The company also works in close association with a large number of health organizations belonging to both the private and public sector in its effort to provide affordable health care and health information to the public. It currently operates in nine states in the country..
Tasks and responsibilities of Service Unit Asst Dept Manager – RN
This position is for a qualified nurse. The employee “Assists in managing a large unit or multiple units providing ambulatory services, Ensures staff provides high quality, accessible, cost effective care, and patient focused services to members across the continuum, which comply with local, state, and federal requirements. Implements and maintains clinical practice standards, budgets, and staff development”. (Job Summary, 2007).
To qualify for the post, the person needs three years experience in an outpatient care unit. Clinical specialization and knowledge of Nurse Practice Act, The Joint Commission and other relevant statutes are an added qualification. Leadership skills, communication skills, ability to work with other departments, multi-tasking, delegation etc are other non-technical qualifications. Should also be able to develop others and ensure attendance and quality of work. Ensuring work safety for self and for subordinates is also essential. Should be able to work and collaborate mainly with physicians and also other relevant personnel in providing the highest quality of medical care.
The candidate should also be able to design, implement and evaluate new patient care systems. Budget allocation and monitoring of the same is also required. A complete range of staffing functions is also a part of the responsibility. In this respect the candidate should be able to design a complete staffing system which includes processes for interview, hiring, training and replacement of subordinates. The candidate should also be able to implement the policies developed by the organizations and her department. Should also work as an spokesperson of patients and should see that all patient requirements and needs are met by the subordinates.
The candidate should be familiar with the Principles of Responsibility (Kaiser Permanente’s Code of Conduct) and should see that they are practiced in the department. It can be seen that the job involves a lot of responsibilities and authority. These two factors are enough to motivate some types of persons. Apart from the company’s rewards and compensation mentioned elsewhere in this paper, there are activities which can motivate service minded people.
The company promotes diversity in the work force. “Our members speak more than 80 different languages and each language represents a race, ethnicity, or culture with unique beliefs, values, traditions, and behaviors”. ((n.d.), Diversity and inclusion: National Diversity Program). Managing a diverse work force is a very challenging task. This factor can also be intrinsically motivating to some persons.
The duties and responsibilities also show that a fair amount of freedom though the person should work within the goals set by the department. In this regard the company has instituted the R. J. Erickson Diversity Achievement Awards for employees who work hard to achieve its diversity objectives. The company also ensures that the care given is with due respect towards the culture and beliefs of its patients and employees are required to see to it that it is done correctly.
The Health Education department at Kaiser Permanente is the pioneer in providing services which is in the nature of non profit motive, especially for providing health care services. It is established in the year 1945 founded by industrialist Henry J Kaiser and Physician Sidney R Garfield. It is the leading American’s integrated health plan. They have affiliated hospitals and physicians to support their services. They are providing online programs and services for improving health related issues. For improving employees’ morale and productivity they are conducting so many educational programs.
“Health Education Team of Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco, promote and support healthy choices and behaviors through active partnerships, and accessible, integrated health education services.” ((n.d.), Welcome to health education: Our Mission).
Organization support
They are providing advices on Human relation skills development such as in employee relations, conflict management, performance management, recruitment skills development etc.
Major responsibilities and task of the Kaiser Permanente to develop people skills involves the following:
Organizational Development
Kaiser Permanente provides support for the OD interventions. It is function of the senior level manager to make accurate changes in the strategic plans and develop strategies to make positive impact in the organization. They are expert in the analyzing data and its financial or technical impact for implementing policies that are essential for developing organizational effectiveness. They are expert in addressing highly complex problems and challenges based on priority.
They are responsible for managing human resources management programs for all of their clients. They engage with senior level managers to study and resolve complex employee issues and other strategic problems to resolve. Thus they are maintaining good employee relations. Skill development and talent recognition is very helpful in implementing appropriate method for developing their abilities and is essential for people development. Kaiser Permanente is clearly focused on working with their clients to implement the suitable method for developing talents. Candidates of having high quality are ensured through talent acquisitions programs and meet issues to ensure supplying of talents. They are also supporting the functional heads for providing compensation issues, decisions and proper management.
Kaiser Permanente is responsible for training and development and is helping in identifying training needs and providing programs for line managers and other professionals.
Health Information
Health education Department at Kaiser Permanente is dedicated for achieving positive health and preventing illness. Their centers have resources for learning and treating medical conditions.
They are providing information on health issues, medical test and procedures and medication. Daily health and related issues are informed properly and solving issues. They are providing very much sophisticated and interactive health tools to improve the life style and treatment decisions. Every year several education classes and programs are covered with a broad range of concerns and medical issues. They are providing all the information and support which is essential for well being on man-kind. It involves information connecting to health education, Behavioral health. Diabetes management, flexibility and movement, health and wellness, heart health, men’s, health, Parenting and Children health, pregnancy to newborn, smoking cessation, support groups, weight management, and women’s health.
On the organizational point of view Kaiser Permanente is providing information on behavioral health and supporting programs for helping employees to reduce their stress levels and improving productivity. Their motivating programs are very effective and are resulting in productivity. Behavioral health covers various issues such as anger management, Assertiveness training, Communication etc.
Health Education department at Kaiser Permanente motivates employees to increase job satisfaction and workplace productivity in many ways. They are providing many useful programs which is essential fro solving many issues professionally. They are providing how to deal with issues related to health, psychological and physical condition of the employees. They are providing motivational programs and help to identify the reward that motivates the employees and to implement it successfully.
Reward Programs
It appears that Kaiser Permanente takes great care of its employees with regard to compensation and rewards. It rewards its employees on a number of fronts like safety, performance attendance etc. According to the company benefits may vary depending on whether a person is full time staff or part time staff. Moreover “Benefits may vary based on your Kaiser Permanente region, position, scheduled hours, and representation by collective bargaining or employee groups.” ((n.d.), Benefits and Rewards).
Benefits under ‘Time off’ category include paid vacations, sick leave compensation and even work life balance time-off for its employees. The company provides life insurance, disability insurance and benefits etc to its employees. This can be paid in for death or disability. This is provided to both employees and their dependents. Retirement and pension plans are also provided. Peer recognition program is one of the many rewards offered.
This is given at individual and group levels also. Rewards for recognizing service of the employees also exist. The first one is given when an employee has completed five years of service. Special reward and recognition programs for nurses are also implemented. Employees are also recognized during Pharmacy Week, Respiratory Care Week, Secretary’s Day etc. With regard to safety, the company has “performance-sharing rewards for employees conditional on meeting workplace safety goals”. (Vancouver W A, 2003). At least five percent of employees will be engaged in safety activities. The company also conducts studies and identifies potential risk areas and take steps to reduce the occurrence of accidents.
The company also provides health insurance for its employees and also a unique program of health reward points which can be redeemed from Staples Promotional Products Web site, a partner company in this program. ((n.d.), Number one priority). This is a part of the Health Appraisal Program aimed at employees and also for physicians. The employee has to login to the kp.org website and enter all recent and required health details. A total health assessment report will be generated. Based on this goal for health should be made and the reward will be given on achieving the goals..
Conclusion
It can be seen that Kaiser Permanente is a company that cares genuinely for the welfare of its employees. They also ensure that customer care is also among the best. The company motivates its employees through cash rewards, bonuses, paid vacations, holidays etc. One major intrinsic motivating factor is the importance given to work life balance. This will be motivating to many employees. This will be more especially for women employees since they have their household duties to be taken care of. To some employees service itself is a motivating factor and working in a service oriented field like health care will be motivating in itself. The position analyzed above carries a lot of responsibilities along with the authority to carry them out. Freedom is given, but within the confines of the departmental needs and policies.
References
Benefits and Rewards. (n.d.). Kaiser Permanente. Web.
Diversity and inclusion: National Diversity Program. (n.d.). Kaiser Permanente. Web.
Job summary. (2007). Comsui. Web.
Number one priority. (n.d.). Kaiser Permanente. Web.
Vancouver W A. (2003). Press Release: Kaiser Permanente wins workplace safety award from the association of Washington business. Kaiser Permanente. Web.
Welcome to health education: Our Mission. (n.d.). Kaiser Permanente. Web.