Dos and don'ts for staff development

Create specific, updated job descriptions

A team member without a job description is working at a disadvantage. Each position on the practice team should be carefully defined, including roles, responsibilities, and specific performance targets. This serves as an essential guide both for the individual and the practice.

Set the standard. In practices without job descriptions, a surprising number of team members are unaware of everything they are expected to do. Job descriptions clarify duties and pinpoint areas where specific training is required. They also serve as a benchmark for performance reviews.

Don't let job descriptions become obsolete. Practices evolve and so should job descriptions. Updating is necessary to keep them relevant. Otherwise, job descriptions become misleading and meaningless -- to the point where no one bothers paying attention to them anymore, and the practice misses opportunities to create a more effective team.