Cross Training Staff
Introduction
According to Salem & Abdien (2017), cross-training includes equipping employees with the knowledge and skills of employees in other departments within the organization to increase organizational effectiveness. Cross-training is important in the healthcare field to prepare healthcare providers to offer a wide range of healthcare services required by patients within the healthcare setting hence enhancing the quality of care.
What steps would you take in deciding whether or not to cross-train lab technicians as x-ray technicians?
One of the steps I would take in deciding whether to cross-train lab technicians as x-ray technicians is assessing the tasks performed by the lab technicians and x-ray technicians to identify similarities and differences. This information is important in identifying training needs based on the new tasks lab technicians may be completing as x-ray technicians. The second step is identifying the lab technicians interested in the cross-training program. The effectiveness of a cross-training program I determined by employee willingness to acquire new skills and be ready to complete assigned tasks in other departments, which is why it is important to ensure that employees are interested in the cross-training program and will be willing to use their newly acquired knowledge and skills to embrace new duties and responsibilities.
What are the negative and positive financial considerations in making this decision?
The main positive consideration in making this decision is cost saving. According to Vasanthi & Basariya (2017), cross-training increases cost savings by eliminating the costs incurred in hiring new employees because existing employees can be used to fill vacant positions through substitution. However, cross-training is expensive and time-consuming.
What steps will you take to deal with a weekend staffing crisis whereby your small hospital has no x-ray technicians in-house, yet the demand for their services is very high, including 30 percent of the need emanating from critical care units?
Suppose I am in a situation where there is a weekend staffing crisis whereby there are no x-ray technicians in-house to meet the high demand for their services, I would first consult employees in other departments to determine whether there is any of them with the skills and competencies needed to offer x-ray technicians’ services. I would then outsource experienced and qualified x-ray technicians and pay them extra so they can train the employees from other departments with a background in x-ray services.
Conclusion
Equipping employees with a wide range of skills and competencies is important because it prepares them for opportunities that may arise within the organization and enhance organizational efficiency by ensuring that there is available staff to attend to customers. Therefore, healthcare organizations need to consider cross-training, particularly for high-demand services.
References
Salem, I. E., & Abdien, M. K. (2017). Implementation of employee cross-training during perilous conditions in hotels. Tourism Management Perspectives, 23, 68-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.05.005
Vasanthi, S., & Basariya, R. (2017). Cross Training Employees – A Conceptual Review. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 4(3).
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Question 
Cross-training staff (learning another type of job) is an old and often successful practice at hospitals.
Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, research cross-training techniques. Based on your research and training, respond to the following:
Cross Training Staff
What steps would you take in deciding whether or not to cross-train lab technicians as x-ray technicians?
What are the negative and positive financial considerations in making this decision?
What steps will you take to deal with a weekend staffing crisis whereby your small hospital has no x-ray technicians in-house, yet the demand for their services is very high, including 30 percent of the need emanating from critical care units?
Make sure that you include an introduction and conclusion to your post.
Use your course and textbook readings and the South University Online Library to support your work. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Your initial posting should be addressed at 150-300 words. Submit your document to this Discussion Area by the due date assigned. Be sure to cite your sources using APA format.