The Fourth Element: Communication, Education and Training on Compliance Issues
The fourth essential element of an effective Compliance and Ethics Program is communication, education and training on compliance issues. The program cannot be effective if staff are not aware of the compliance issues that are vital to the organization. This means developing comprehensive and formalized plans for training and communication to employees throughout the organization in conjunction with the compliance committee and others.
A compliance training plan should start with providing the code of conduct and compliance and ethics education to all employees at the time of hire, as well as to physicians, volunteers, vendors, and contractors as services commence and on an ongoing basis. Training for Board members and senior leaders should include compliance issues related to their specific obligations and responsibilities. Compliance training should occur at least annually and be embedded within other education provided throughout the organization.