12.01.14
There are two possible solutions to this “readiness” problem: 1) hiring and training your own temporary workers to be certain they meet your own internal requirements, or 2) employing temporary employees from agencies that specialize in providing qualified personnel to the medical device industry.
The first solution is tough—it requires creating your own training protocols and staff, who then screen and train temporary workers as needed. This, however, takes time, so a quick startup is less likely. There also is no guarantee that, after the workers have been trained, used on the project, and let go, they can be rehired for the next project. This could result in constantly training and retraining workers to meet mandated requirements. You could even be training workers for your competition.
The second solution—hiring employees from employment agencies that specialize in providing workers to the medical device industry—is an effective way to meet labor needs, limit risk, and stay focused on production. These workers specifically have been trained to meet the needs of medical device manufacturers and can further be screened to meet specific job needs. This means startups can be quick, with short learning curves. Because these agencies are ISO 13485-certified, they know what your workers need to know and can customize a temporary workforce to meet your production needs, and to better match your culture and environment.
Advantages include:
Every step in making medical devices begins and ends with people. Education and training is a never-ending process that is essential for meeting evolving quality standards. Making sure all employees—especially temporary workers—know the regulatory guidelines they must follow is essential for producing the best possible product. An effective way to accomplish this, without losing valuable time to hiring and training temporary workers, is using an employment agency that is ISO 13485-certified and can provide knowledgeable employees who can work in manufacturing, logistics, quality control or other production areas.
The first solution is tough—it requires creating your own training protocols and staff, who then screen and train temporary workers as needed. This, however, takes time, so a quick startup is less likely. There also is no guarantee that, after the workers have been trained, used on the project, and let go, they can be rehired for the next project. This could result in constantly training and retraining workers to meet mandated requirements. You could even be training workers for your competition.
The second solution—hiring employees from employment agencies that specialize in providing workers to the medical device industry—is an effective way to meet labor needs, limit risk, and stay focused on production. These workers specifically have been trained to meet the needs of medical device manufacturers and can further be screened to meet specific job needs. This means startups can be quick, with short learning curves. Because these agencies are ISO 13485-certified, they know what your workers need to know and can customize a temporary workforce to meet your production needs, and to better match your culture and environment.
Advantages include:
- Overall reduced labor costs;
- Reduced turnover;
- Smoother operations;
- Improved product quality;
- Faster time to market;
- Better validation and documentation; and
- Less risk.
Every step in making medical devices begins and ends with people. Education and training is a never-ending process that is essential for meeting evolving quality standards. Making sure all employees—especially temporary workers—know the regulatory guidelines they must follow is essential for producing the best possible product. An effective way to accomplish this, without losing valuable time to hiring and training temporary workers, is using an employment agency that is ISO 13485-certified and can provide knowledgeable employees who can work in manufacturing, logistics, quality control or other production areas.