Ready to Toss Your Phone Out the Window? Let's Talk On Call

Ugh, on-call. It's easily one of the toughest parts of the job as a manager. That constant availability, the 24/7 nature of it all...it can make you want to chuck your phone across the room. There's no magic potion to eliminate the on-call struggle, but there are things you can do to make it a little less painful. I call it "tucking in" your residents (and your team!).

Think of "tucking in" as taking care of anything you can control before your on-call time starts. It's about anticipating potential problems and getting ahead of them. Here are a few examples:

• Medication Check: Make sure there's enough medication on hand for your on-call period. Nothing's worse than getting a call after hours about a med being out and having to scramble to contact the pharmacy.

• Supply Check:  Beyond medications, think about other essential supplies. Are there enough bandages, gloves, wipes, or other items your team might need? Running out of basics during on-call just adds to the stress.

• Proactive Resident Checks: If a resident seems a little "off" today, don't wait until your on-call shift. Do a thorough assessment now. Look for any clinical signs, create a plan with your staff for potential changes.

• Family Communication: If you've checked on a resident and they're stable, let the family know! A quick update can prevent those panic calls later when a family member notices a minor change. They'll know you're already on top of it.

• Bowel Movements (Yes, Really): If your facility tracks bowel movements, make sure things are moving (pun intended!) before after-hours or the weekend. This can prevent a small issue from becoming a big one.

• Staffing Check: Review the staffing schedule. If you're not in charge of it, touch base with whoever is. A little coordination beforehand can save you a lot of headaches later. Talk to your staff before moving them around if needed.

• Severe Weather Prep: Check the forecast! If severe weather is predicted, have a plan in place and give your staff clear instructions on what to do. Knowing what to expect and how to respond can make a huge difference in managing a weather-related emergency.

  
  

You can't predict every on call situation, but by taking care of what you can before your on-call time, you can definitely make things run more smoothly. It's all about minimizing the chaos and maximizing your peace of mind (as much as possible, anyway!).

Plan for the worst, hope for the best! If you want more examples or help with trying to simplify on-call, reach out to us!