It should be given that finding qualified and reliable professionals is crucial to the people-centered business of healthcare. Patient outcomes, facility efficiency, and overall care standards depend on having the right people in the right roles.
It should also be a given that, with the complexities of healthcare recruitment, organizations often struggle to maintain the staffing levels needed to ensure smooth operations.
Healthcare staffing companies offer a valuable solution by connecting facilities with top healthcare talent. What are the advantages of utilizing healthcare staffing services, and why are these companies essential for overcoming modern staffing challenges?
Importance of Finding Top Healthcare Talent
Healthcare providers understand the challenges of finding top talent—they live the reality of chronic staffing shortages daily. By 2028, the American Hospital Association (AHA) predicts:
- A shortage of approximately 100,000 critical healthcare workers.
- A severe shortage of around 73,000 nursing assistants.
- The state you live in may affect the availability of talent.
- Compensation will play a huge role in attracting talent, and variations in pay could lead some workers to move.
Overview of the Challenges in Healthcare
Healthcare is an ever-evolving field, and as patient demands rise, so do the challenges of keeping facilities fully staffed with skilled professionals. These challenges stem from several factors, including a shortage of healthcare workers, an aging population requiring more intensive care, and increased burnout among healthcare professionals. By 2040, 22% of patients will be over 65. At the same time, 44% of the U.S. workforce, including healthcare staff, say they’re burning out. The shortage and the pressure providers feel aren’t limited to physicians; it also affects nursing staff, allied health professionals, and administrative support.
Impact of Staffing Shortages on Patient Care and Facility Operations
Staffing shortages in healthcare can lead to a decline in patient care quality. Overworked and understaffed teams face higher rates of errors, longer patient wait times, and a decrease in overall patient satisfaction. Furthermore, operational efficiency declines as overworked staff experience higher levels of burnout, increasing turnover and putting additional strain on healthcare teams. For healthcare facilities, this cyclical challenge highlights the importance of consistently finding top healthcare talent.
Overview of Healthcare Staffing Services
Challenging times call for new partnerships. That’s why most hospitals turn to healthcare staffing agencies to alleviate their workforce shortages.
Healthcare staffing refers to agencies specializing in sourcing, vetting, and placing healthcare professionals in various clinical and non-clinical roles. These agencies collaborate with healthcare organizations to ensure they meet their staffing needs. Offering access to a broad talent pool makes it easier for facilities to fill temporary, permanent, or contract positions.
Medical staffing agencies support facilities in several ways. They take on the heavy lifting of recruitment, from screening and interviewing candidates to managing background checks and certifications. Healthcare recruiters have the industry expertise needed to identify the most qualified healthcare professionals, which helps these facilities focus on delivering quality care rather than spending valuable time on recruitment. Additionally, staffing agencies can quickly respond to fluctuating staffing needs, filling short-term gaps or providing long-term solutions.
What are the Key Challenges in Hiring Healthcare Professionals
In 2023, the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) published some alarming statistics:
- 56% of physicians say they’re likely to leave their organizations.
- Burnout-related turnover costs $9 billion for nurses and up to $6.3 billion annually for doctors.
- 60% of all healthcare support workers expect to leave their jobs in the next five years.
It’s an untenable, unsustainable state of affairs, exacerbated by the increased patient loads from the baby boomer population. These numbers are concerning as we near cold and flu season in 2024.
Why does healthcare have such a revolving door on their clinical and support staff?
High Turnover Rate Due to Demanding Working Conditions
Healthcare professionals face long hours, emotionally taxing environments, and significant physical demands. These factors contribute to high turnover rates, especially in nursing and allied health. Retaining talent in such a high-pressure field can be difficult, leading to continuous hiring efforts.
Time-Consuming Hiring Process
The hiring process in healthcare is often time-consuming, involving multiple stages of vetting to ensure candidates meet the necessary qualifications and certifications. Perhaps that’s why it takes nearly 50 days on average. The process can take weeks or months, from posting job ads to conducting interviews and background checks. For facilities needing immediate support, these delays can impact patient care and burden existing staff with a heavier workload.
Filling Healthcare Positions in Rural and Underserved Areas Remains a Challenge
Rural and underserved areas face unique recruitment challenges. Facilities in these regions often have fewer local candidates and struggle to attract healthcare professionals willing to relocate or commute. This reality makes it difficult to maintain full staffing levels, often resulting in overworked teams and gaps in patient care services.
5 Top Benefits of Partnering with a Healthcare Staffing Agency
Last year’s report that many hospitals can’t run at full capacity due to the staffing crisis should be a wake-up call. These organizations must approach staffing with the no-holds-barred approach from partnering with a professional recruiting firm like Medical Edge. What does working with a healthcare staffing agency do for these organizations? Here are the top five benefits.
1. Access to Both Passive and Active Candidates
One of the primary advantages of using a healthcare staffing service is gaining access to active and passive candidates. Passive candidates—those who may not be actively seeking a new position but are open to opportunities—can be challenging to reach through traditional recruitment methods. Staffing agencies have established networks and industry connections that allow them to tap into this broader talent pool, providing facilities with highly qualified candidates who may not be available through job boards.
2. Medical Staffing Agencies Have Expertise in Healthcare Recruiting
Healthcare recruiting requires a specialized skill set, as recruiters must understand the specific requirements and certifications required for different roles. Medical staffing agencies, like Medical Edge, have industry experts who know where to find top talent and how to navigate the complex landscape of healthcare regulations, certifications, and licensing. Their expertise ensures that only qualified candidates are presented for your consideration.
3. Faster Hiring Process
Healthcare staffing agencies streamline the hiring process, saving time for healthcare facilities. With an extensive database of pre-screened candidates, they can quickly match facilities with professionals meeting the necessary qualifications. Whether it’s for a permanent placement or a temporary assignment, staffing agencies significantly reduce the time it takes to onboard new hires, helping facilities avoid disruptions in patient care.
4. Ability to Scale Staffing Levels During Peak Seasons or Emergencies
Healthcare facilities often experience fluctuating staffing needs, especially during peak seasons, such as flu season, or during emergencies. Staffing agencies are well-positioned to provide rapid staffing solutions, allowing facilities to scale up quickly when demand increases. This flexibility ensures that facilities can maintain a high standard of care, even when faced with sudden increases in patient volume.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: Avoid Overtime Costs by Filling Vacancies Quickly
Prolonged staffing shortages can increase overtime costs as existing staff take on additional shifts to fill gaps. Healthcare staffing services help reduce these costs by providing timely staffing solutions, ensuring vacancies fill quickly. Facilities can save money while maintaining quality care by avoiding overtime pay and reducing the burden on current staff.
What Types of Positions Do Healthcare Staffing Companies Fill?
Healthcare staffing companies like Medical Edge are equipped to fill a wide range of positions across various specialties. These include, but are not limited to:
- Nursing Staff: Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
- Non-Clinical Support Roles: These essential roles ensure healthcare facilities run smoothly without direct patient care involvement. Key non-clinical roles include Custodial Staff and Food Service Workers.
- Allied Health Professionals: Physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, and radiologic technologists.
- Healthcare Administration: Medical billing specialists, health information managers, and patient coordinators.
- Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: Critical for ensuring proper medication management.
- Behavioral Health Professionals: Psychologists, counselors, and social workers.
These positions are critical to maintaining the smooth operation of healthcare facilities, and staffing agencies provide an efficient solution for filling them with top-tier talent.
Save Time and Money by Leveraging the Expertise of Healthcare Recruiters at Medical Edge
With healthcare organizations’ challenges, finding the right talent is more than a full-time job. By partnering with a healthcare staffing service like Medical Edge, facilities can save valuable time and resources while ensuring access to the best healthcare professionals. Medical Edge’s team of specialized recruiters understands the unique challenges of healthcare hiring and is dedicated to finding the perfect match for every role, from temporary staff to permanent placements. Whether you’re dealing with high turnover, a lengthy hiring process, or the challenges of staffing rural areas, Medical Edge is ready to help.
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If your healthcare facility is looking for the best healthcare professionals, Medical Edge is here to assist. Contact us today to find out how we can meet your staffing needs and connect you with the best.