Plan Your Staff ’s 2019 Continuing Education Programs

Doctors and office managers should begin planning your staff’s education program for 2019 now! One of the biggest challenges that an office has in today’s workplace is finding and keeping the right employees. It is crucial to the success of your practice. Patients want and expect optical staff to be knowledgeable and well trained. Well-trained employees know how to maximize patient satisfaction to ensure repeat business and stimulate new growth.

The best way to retain patients is to make sure your staff frequently receives training. Options for Employee Training and Development When you think about education, training and development, options are available anywhere from in-office to online. Choices range from seminars, webinars and mentoring programs. Here are the existing alternatives to help your employees continue to grow.

For recruiting, retention, and managing change and continuous improvement, adopt all of these practices within your organization.

Internal Education Available on TSO University: TSO University New Associate Program, a program that consists of a comprehensive, topic-focused curriculum, was developed by the TSO Board of Directors to provide a more consistent patient care experience. The program allows the Doctors of TSO to invest in the careers of TSO Network associates, and appoint a designated in-office training coordinator to guide new associates through the program.

The program consists of three components:

• TSO Quick Start Orientation Online Videos

• ZEISS Academy Vision Care

• TSO Associate Training Manual, including the Question and Answers Manual (Available in print or on TSONetworkUpdate.com)

It is recommended that associates complete the entire program within their first seven months of employment with TSO. During their first month in the office, associates will complete the TSO Quick Start Orientation videos and the ZEISS Academy Vision Care program. The following six months are dedicated to the 26-chapter TSO Associate Training Manual, in which in-office training coordinators guide each associate for 30 minutes daily.

External Education:

• Seminars, workshops, and classes both in-person and online (i.e. Optician Handbook)

• Professional association seminars, meetings, and conferences offer training opportunities (i.e. TOA Convention)