At the end of every month, a new duty roster is made for the following month at, I believe, every functioning hospital. Distributing daily and emergency duties among paramedics, nursing staff, office assistants, and doctors can, at times, be a big hassle. The key, of course, is to make an ideal duty roster - which rarely exists. The majority of us end up having to take an unexpected leave a few days prior or even on the day of our duty. To get over these circumstances, we have to rely on our colleagues and properly coordinate duties. Nonetheless, a well-formed duty roster is better than simply relying on human factors. Here are a few tips on how to ease the process of making a roster.
Tips on making the Roster
- Assign the head of each staff category to make their own roster.
- As the head of the PHC, check the roster for any gross errors and equal distribution of duties.
- Use printed duty roster formats. Give 2 copies each to the assigned head - one for rough work. Depending on access to computers, the staff can also make it themselves. Feel free to download and modify the format below.
- Ask the assigned staff to consider when their colleagues need planned leave.
- Try and place staff on emergency duty on leave during day duty or, if not possible, assign them to light duties.
- Rotate assignments of different staff. For instance, dispensary duty for a week and then dressing duty.
- Consider EPI and PHC/ORC Clinics, monthly report meetings, and planned training while making the roster.
Paramedic Roster
Nursing Roster
Office Assistant Roster
Doctor Roster