From increasing patient numbers to staffing shortages and burnout, there are many challenges that healthcare workforces face today.
Creating a resilient workforce can take work, but it can be done and will help ensure there is the right staff in place at all times, even when demand increases due to seasonal changes or people leave the workforce and need to be replaced. Some of the strategies that can be used to create a more resilient workforce include the following.
Make the Hiring Process Easier
It’s important to be able to quickly and easily hire new workers whenever there’s an open position, but the hiring process itself can take time. Working with a staffing agency and taking advantage of services for healthcare staffing can fix this, allowing facilities to hire new workers quickly when they’re needed. The staffing agency handles finding new recruits, background checks, certification checks, and more, so using their help can save the facility a significant amount of time and ensure they find the right person for the job.
Use the Data for Staffing Decisions
In today’s high tech world, tons of data is created every day. Why not use that for staffing decisions? Predictive analytics can be used to help view and anaylize the data to determine if there are seasonal patterns for when the facility is busier or needs more help. This helps ensure there is time before the influx of patients to hire more help to keep staffing ratios down while continuing to provide excellent care for all patients. This can be used regularly to anticipate any potential staffing issues so they’re solved before they begin.
Consider Using Temp Workers
Temporary assistance can be a lifeline in healthcare facilities where gaps in staffing can cause issues. If someone needs to take a leave of absence for any reason, there may not be anyone on the staff who can take over their position temporarily. If someone stops working at the facility, fast help may be needed to cover the position until the facility can hire someone to fill it permanently. Whether the temporary positions are for a few days or a few months, being able to use locum tenens or temporary staff can be a great way to fill in the gaps and ensure there is still enough coverage to handle all of the patient needs.
Add Other Services Like Telehealth
Another way tech can be used to help with staffing issues is through offering telehealth and related services. Patients may not always need to be seen in person to receive help. Someone who is feeling sick and needs medicine, for instance, may be able to do a virtual visit.
Patients that just need their prescription renewed can typically do that through telehealth. This helps to reduce the number of patients that need to be seen in person, especially during busier periods, so that in-person staff can focus on providing the right care for all patients.
When a healthcare facility faces staffing challenges, it can be difficult to handle patient demand and ensure all patients get the care they need. However, there are strategies like these that can help management create a more resilient workforce that’s ready to handle anything. Start by working with a staffing agency to get the help needed to cover any gaps in staffing and work on building the workforce from there.
