If you haven’t been to the doctor lately, there might be some new changes as you check-in in at Essentia Health. Essentia is using a new way for patients checking in for their appointment with health kiosks.

Essentia is implementing these new health kiosks until September. Tonya Loken, the community relations director with Essentia says they continue to have negotiations with USW.

“There have been no layoffs as a result of this technology update. We implemented it because it saves time for our patients,” Loken said. “Our people are our most important asset and we know people are at the heart of health care. We have been communicating, had them come in, be part of the update and answered all of their questions. We just know change is hard for people. But I think the biggest thing to know is there have been no layoffs as a result of this update.”

Loken says the new health kiosks will help improve check-in times for patients, and provide more secured privacy. There are currently three methods for patients registering for their appointment in waiting rooms and main lobbies at Essentia.

“One of those is the kiosk, which is located in the lobby. It takes less than a minute. The Essentia health colleague can be there to assist, is in the lobby and ready to help,” Loken said. “The second option is checking in over an iPad with an Essentia health colleague on the other end. The third is you can check in on your MyChart app. So those are the three ways to check in for your clinical appointment.”

Although there have been no lay offs, USW wants ensure current health workers retain and benefits. Michele Fredrickson, representing Essentia employees who work with registering patients says they are still concerned for their jobs.

“Our contract language does not have priority placement. It has layoff or you’ll be able to take a different position that’s open or you would have bumping options. So we have asked the company for information,” Fredrickson said. “We’ve asked to meet, bargain over those situations and they have had little bits and bits of information for us. But that’s about it.”

Fredrickson says technology updates are inevitable with healthcare. Although she says the health kiosks are slower than working with a person face to face for patient registration.

“You still have only one person there that’s going to assist you, and you have multitude of people coming in to do the check in. You’re not doing it any faster because people don’t know how to do the system. Technology doesn’t make you faster unless everybody knows how to do it.”

For more information about the United Steelworkers Local 9460’s negotiations with Essentia Health you can look here. Also for other stories with Essentia you can read more here.