HEALTH INFO SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT) -
Chapter 10
Dictionary definition: “an occupation or vocation requiring training in the liberal arts or the sciences and advanced study in a specialized field.”
Under the FLSA
1. Primary duties that require:
advanced knowledge;
the application of imagination or creativity, or the exercise of talent, or
employment in a teaching capacity
Under the FLSA
2. Do work that requires the exercise of discretion and judgment.
3. Perform intellectual and varied work.
4. Spend no more than 20 percent of the time on non-professional.
5. Be paid not less than a specifically stated amount per week.
In Health Care
Various medical professionals (MD, RN, PT, and numerous others.
Non-medical professionals (accountant, engineer, and others)
Behavior and Treatment
Professional behavior and professional treatment:
Opposite sides of the same coin;
Sometimes in conflict
Control of the Work
The work of the professional is often controlled by the person and not by the clock or by any particular system.
Initiative
A key professional characteristic
Equivalent Treatment
All employees—including professionals—must be subject to the same organizational policies and work rules
Motivation
As compared with the nonprofessional, the professional employee is more likely to be operating on a level of psychological need fulfillment.
Motivation
The only workable way to arouse lasting self-motivation is to approach the professional employee through the work itself.
Valued Employees Quit Because:
Lack of job satisfaction
Lack of challenge
Dissatisfaction with supervision
Incompatibility within the work group
Inadequate pay.
There Can Be Management Credibility Problems When:
The manager is:
A non-professional
A professional in another field
A professional of “lesser status”
As a Supervisor--
-- the professional may be more inclined than others to emphasize occupation (profession) over management
Unions
Presently in health care, many professionals are seen as vulnerable to union organizing.
Bargaining Units
Three of the eight legally recognized healthcare bargaining units are:
Registered nurses;
Physicians;
All other professionals;