Internal Medicine Physician Onboarding Checklist

Internal Medicine Physician Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Internal Medicine Physician starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Internal Medicine Physician, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Internal Medicine Physician onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Internal Medicine Physician Onboarding Checklist

1. Credentialing and Licensing: The physician must complete the necessary paperwork and provide documentation to obtain medical licenses and credentials required by the state medical board and the hospital. This task is typically performed by the hospital’s credentialing department or a designated staff member.

2. Orientation and Hospital Policies: The physician should attend an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the hospital’s policies, procedures, and culture. This may include reviewing the employee handbook, learning about safety protocols, and understanding the hospital’s mission and values. The human resources department or a designated staff member usually conducts this task.

3. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Training: Since most healthcare facilities use electronic medical records, the physician should receive training on the specific EMR system used by the hospital. This training ensures that the physician can efficiently document patient encounters, order tests, and access medical records. The hospital’s IT department or a designated trainer typically provides this training.

4. Clinical Privileges and Departmental Orientation: The physician needs to undergo departmental orientation, which involves meeting with the department chair, attending meetings, and understanding the department’s workflow and expectations. Additionally, the physician must apply for clinical privileges, which grant them the authority to perform specific procedures or treatments. The department chair or a designated staff member oversees this process.

5. Introduction to Support Staff: It is crucial for the physician to meet and establish relationships with the support staff, including nurses, medical assistants, and administrative personnel. This task allows the physician to understand the roles and responsibilities of each team member, fostering effective collaboration and communication. The department manager or a designated staff member may facilitate these introductions.

6. Patient Load and Scheduling: The physician should be assigned an appropriate patient load and given a schedule that outlines their clinical responsibilities, including outpatient clinic hours, hospital rounds, and on-call duties. The department scheduler or a designated staff member is responsible for coordinating this task.

7. Clinical Supervision and Mentoring: For new physicians, it is beneficial to have a senior physician or mentor who can provide guidance, support, and supervision during the initial period. This mentor can help the physician navigate the hospital’s systems, provide clinical advice, and offer professional development opportunities. The department chair or a designated senior physician typically arranges this mentoring relationship.

8. Continuing Medical Education (CME) Requirements: Physicians are required to maintain their medical knowledge and skills through ongoing CME activities. The hospital should provide information on CME requirements, including conferences, workshops, and online courses that the physician can attend to fulfill these obligations. The hospital’s CME coordinator or a designated staff member can assist with this task.

9. Compliance and Regulatory Training: Healthcare facilities must adhere to various compliance and regulatory standards, such as HIPAA, OSHA, and infection control protocols. The physician should receive training on these regulations to ensure they understand their responsibilities and can provide care in a compliant manner. The hospital’s compliance officer or a designated staff member typically conducts this training.

10. Introduction to Hospital Committees and Quality Improvement Initiatives: The physician should be introduced to hospital committees and quality improvement initiatives that they may be expected to participate in. This involvement allows the physician to contribute to the hospital’s overall goals, collaborate with colleagues, and improve patient care. The department chair or a designated staff member can facilitate these introductions

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Internal Medicine Physician checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Internal Medicine Physician up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.