Ms Pippa Corry1,3, Ms Jessica Nye2,3
1South Metropolitan Health Service, Australia, 2Rocky Bay, Australia, 3University of Notre Dame, Australia
Abstract:
Workplace Issue:
Following the pandemic of COVID-19, there has been an increase in healthcare worker burnout and a subsequent increase in new and generally less experienced managers amongst the health workforce.
Allied health leaders often ascend to managerial roles due to their clinical expertise and natural leadership qualities. However, being a subject matter expert (e.g. clinical) does not necessarily offer adequate opportunities to develop effective management skills.
Objective:
The objective of this project was to create and evaluate a pathway (Management Skills Pathway or MSP) for health professionals who are seeking to enter a leadership role, or those with less than two years’ experience in a leadership role.
Method:
The authors engaged in a literature review to establish core management competencies and structured learning pathways. The MSP then co-designed by the authors including domains such as Human Resources, Quality and Risk Management, Finance, Core Management Tasks, Goals of Patient Care and Workplace Health and Safety.
Following a call for volunteers, the MSP was implemented with 12 participants (9 Allied Health professionals) and their line manager/s across three disability or health service sites in Western Australia between June to August 2024.
Evaluation included qualitative evaluation of multi-rater feedback both pre and post implementation with both the participant and their line manager.
Outcome:
90% of participants and their line managers reported the MSP was useful. Overall increase in participant and line manager average knowledge and confidence ratings post implementation.
Recommendations:
Increased sample size and length of implementation to allow further evaluation.