In today’s dynamic healthcare landscape, organizations face significant challenges in managing their workforce effectively while maintaining high-quality patient care. Contingent staffing – hiring temporary or contract workers—offers many advantages for perennially short-staffed healthcare organizations. Strategic workforce partners (SWPs) are essential in addressing these challenges and optimizing an organization’s workforce management.
The Complexities of Contingent Staffing
It is crucial to consider the complexities of managing a contingent staffing pool. Contingent staffing involves sourcing, credentialing, onboarding, and ongoing support for temporary workers. Coordinating a blend of permanent and contingent staff can be challenging for organizations that depend on external talent pools. Leadership must also consider legal and compliance risks concerning labor laws, tax regulations, and employment contracts. Aligning goals across diverse employment arrangements requires careful planning and management to avoid inconsistencies in performance.
Additionally, healthcare staffing remains inherently unpredictable. According to a 2024 Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) report, there were 1.8 million job openings in the healthcare and social assistance field in 2023. Organizations are still feeling the burn-out effects of the pandemic on healthcare workers which has driven tens of thousands towards early departure or retirement. With the unrelenting demand for medical services, healthcare organizations must strategically optimize their budgets to ensure proper staffing levels. Contingent healthcare staffing is still the largest segment of the US staffing industry. A strong SWP provides a solution by offering flexibility, adaptability, and actionable insights.
Leveraging SWPs for Success
- Emergency Preparedness:
- SWPs help healthcare organizations weather unexpected events. Their expertise ensures a rapid response during crises, safeguarding patient care.
- By partnering with SWPs, hospitals can maintain quality even in challenging situations.
- Cost Reduction:
- SWPs optimize contingent labor costs. They provide transparency into temporary labor spending, allowing organizations to make informed decisions.
- Reducing costs without compromising quality is a win-win scenario.
- Clinical Focus and Technology Leadership:
- Successful SWPs prioritize clinical outcomes. They understand healthcare nuances and align their services accordingly.
- Technology-driven solutions enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve workforce management.
Building a Customized MSP Program
When choosing an MSP (Managed Services Provider), avoid cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, seek a dedicated team to tailor services to your organization’s unique needs. Whether you are a large or small organization, an effective MSP will offer the following benefits:
- Single Point of Contact: Reduce the noise. A single pint of contact approach ensures efficient communication and problem-solving.
- Dedicated Program Manager and Team: A dedicated program team fosters collaboration and accountability. It ensures the organization’s unique needs are being met.
- Market Expertise: SWPs stay informed about industry trends, ensuring relevant strategies.
- Process Efficiencies: Streamlined processes save time and resources. It reduces administrative burdens and redundancies.
- Intuitive Reporting: Clear, actionable data informs decision-making.
- Program Scalability & Flexibility: SWPs adapt to changing demands and can adjust to your organization’s individual requirements.
- Compliance Management: Ensure your organization and suppliers’ adherence to regulations and reduce risks of exposure.
- Spend Visibility and Cost Savings: Transparency leads to cost-effective decisions.
- Vendor Neutrality: Focus on optimizing talent supply without favoring any specific vendor.
A strategic workforce partner is more than an MSP. It’s a trusted collaborator that enhances patient care, controls costs, and navigates the complexities of contingent staffing. Choose wisely and reap the benefits of a tailored workforce solution.