Healthcare providers looking to get a handle on employee assessments, competency requirements and licensing needs have a new tool at their disposal with today’s release of the SumTotal Healthcare Solution Set.
SumTotal Systems, Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif., has launched a new platform that combines the SumTotal Talent Development Suite with competency management software developed by Integrated HR Solutions. The platform is designed to allow healthcare providers to manage and meet audits, develope and complete performance reviews and competency assessments, provide recommendations to meet levels of proficiency, manage continuing education credits, develope and manage goals for compensation and retain and develop talent.
“In a time the healthcare industry is faced with a shortage of qualified clinical staff, economic strain and increased regulation, these organizations need a solution to save time, develop talent and ultimately increase safety, quality of care and overall satisfaction of patients,” said Ray Pitts, vice president of professional services at SumTotal, in a press release. “SumTotal worked in conjunction with its healthcare customers, including the three top-rated hospitals in the nation, to create the solution set for healthcare by optimizing our integrated Talent Development Suite for this industry.”
SumTotal officials say their software is in use in several industries around the world, including pharmaceutical, automotive companies, airlines, commercial banks, specialty retailers and four of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The company's healthcare customers include the Poudre Valley Health System in Fort Collins, Col., ProCure Treatment Centers in Bloomington, Ind., Exempla Healthcare of Denver, the MultiCare Health System in Washington, SSM Healthcare of St. Louis, Mo. and the Gunderson Lutheran healthcare network in LaCrosse, Wis.
“The SumTotal solution will allow us to better manage our internal talent by giving us the tools to focus strategically on attracting, engaging, developing and retaining employees,” said Lupe Aragon, interim director for organizational development for Poudre Valley, in a December 2008 press release announcing the system’s contract with SumTotal. “TotalLMS will enable us to track and develope our staff’s individual talents and to easily access the information.”
“Healthcare providers have some of the most difficult and complex management and development challenges of any industry,” said Josh Bersin, president and CEO of Bersin & Associates, an industry research firm included in the SumTotal press release “Today one of the best ways to increase the efficiency and quality of care is to rely on integrated talent management solutions which improve alignment, reduce operational costs and help more rapidly develope people to meet changing healthcare needs.”