Making the most of working with a consultant

Key to working with a consultant is knowing when to use one, how to select the right one and how to work effectively with one. Most of the ordinary business of an organization can be carried out using its own internal resources. When this is not the case, the external viewpoint of a consultant can be helpful. Determining if a consultant can add value is considered a first step in the consulting process. Ideally, the imaging manager is involved in this step. Finding the right consultant, much like other major decisions, can be done by talking with friends or colleagues, even using the internet and AHRA Listserv. Depending on the size and nature of the engagement, a request for proposal (RFP) may be appropriate to identify the amount of expertise needed for a particular situation. When a list of potential consultants is created, the next step is to call the references of each to find the closet fit. The next step is to develop a contract or letter of understanding with the selected consultant. When agreement is reached, the consultant may then request preliminary information to begin work on the project. A further decision is to determine whether the consultant will only make recommendations or will actually help with implementation. The project typically concludes with delivery of the consultant's written report. A facility should expect some major and important new thoughts to come from the consultant's work. An effective partnership with a consultant can go far in attaining a goal of increased levels of service and decreased costs.