Leadership

Embracing Change as an Opportunity to Grow

By Amy Lyons, CPCS, CPMSM, MBA

We all know change is hard and that we should be prepared for change, especially in healthcare these days. However, expecting change does not necessarily make it easier to digest or adapt.

I have recently made some self-imposed changes in my life, including a major relocation and subsequent job change. I planned and expected lots of things in my world would change, but as I experience the changes that come along with changing organizations and positions, it has not made this less difficult. I may have signed up for the changes, but navigating how to adapt as changes come at you is vitally important.

We as medical services professionals (MSPs) are in a rapidly changing environment. The days of simply handling credentialing and privileging seem to be long gone for many of us. We are being asked or tasked to expand our scope and do more than ever before. Whether it be taking on provider enrollment, assisting providers with obtaining their licensure to practice, or taking on or absorbing additional entities, our scope is definitely expanding.

We need to ensure that we are considered a vital member in changes that affect the work we do. As an MSP, it is important to understand that this is part of healthcare and we have to adapt to the coming changes. We know technology is rapidly evolving and companies are heavily investing in ways to automate tasks and reduce duplication and redundancy. Knowing this, we should be even more prepared to navigate changes that could come our way. I have found that the following steps have helped me navigate many changes as an MSP:

• Try to understand the change. Spend time gathering the facts of why the change is being made. In the rapidly changing environment of healthcare, understanding what led to the change can be important in helping you navigate how to address the change.
• Seek to acknowledge the change, what it means, what you know, and what you do not know. Fear of the unknown is important to acknowledge; however, that should not overpower what you do know and what you can do to gain an understanding of the change and the potential impact to you and your role. Communicate with your leadership about any concerns you may have and seek to be collaborative in approaching the change. This demonstrates your adaptability and credibility as a vital member of the team.
• Be willing to stop, breathe, and remind yourself that you are capable of making changes. It is OK to have doubts, but as Abraham Maslow said, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” Take the step forward and open yourself up to the possibilities.
• Be flexible as changes occur. Accept that significant changes likely will come with issues that were not identified. Expect that there will be challenges and bumps in the road toward change. Use these as learning opportunities to demonstrate your flexibility and creativity. This could be the opportunity that helps you grow the most!
• Remember to focus on the purpose behind the change. During times of change and stress, it is easy to get distracted and lose sight of the “why” behind the change. Try to keep this in your focus to help you stay on track.

See Change as an Opportunity to Grow

As MSPs, we have the ability to be on the forefront of changes. This is one of the discoveries I have learned over the years as an MSP. I have learned that every day is different. We know to expect the unexpected and be prepared for anything. This is what makes our roles so unique, and it gives us an advantage over others in our organizations. We roll up our sleeves and get things done daily. We make miraculous things happen all the time with little to no resources. Our core skillset as Tomorrow’s MSP® includes analytical thinking, change management, flexibility, and adaptability. Whether you have chosen to make a change like I did, or a change is coming that you did not seek out, take this as an opportunity to grow.