4 Ways to Streamline Your Medical Facility Staffing Process
The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing in the world, according to a report by the World Health Organization. As with so many industries, reliable staffing in the healthcare sector can be a make-or-break factor when it comes to running a successful facility.
Yet the healthcare industry faces a major crisis. Thanks to turnover and burnout, there is a shortage of medical professionals. The gap between open positions and qualified people to fill them keeps getting wider and wider.
Medical care facilities are certainly feeling the squeeze. Especially because traditional recruitment methods are time-consuming. In addition, leadership continues to deal with administrative backlogs, limited candidate pools, and a lack of specialized expertise.
So, what do you do?
Below, we will discuss four ways to streamline your medical staffing process for maximum efficiency.
In doing so, you’ll create a stronger and more resilient organization capable of withstanding the previously mentioned threats.
1. Identify Staffing Needs
To provide quality care, you have to have a deep roster of experienced professionals. Gaps in your roster should be identified and prioritized.
The nursing industry, in particular, is very vulnerable to talent shortages following COVID-19. According to the 2023 State of Nursing survey, 79% of nurses say their units aren’t well-staffed. Also, 71% of nurses said improving staffing ratios would have the greatest impact on the nursing shortage.
Taking time to carefully identify and document your staffing needs is an important step to streamline your hiring process. You don't want to spend time pursuing candidates that aren't actually filling the gaps in your roster.
Is another doctor necessary or would a physician’s assistant be a better fit?
To best determine your staffing needs, start by answering the following questions:
What services do we offer?
What specific skills do we need to provide those services?
What skill gaps do we currently have?
How long do we need those gaps filled?
What is our current staff experience level?
What is our current staffing budget?
Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can develop job descriptions. Seek out candidates who meet your criteria rather than staffing toward X number of doctors or X number of nurses.
Make sure you have a good balance of experience levels, personalities, and skillsets. This will help your teams work together more effectively.
2. Develop a Streamlined Onboarding Process
A clear, consistent, and thorough onboarding structure for new hires is one way to streamline the medical facility staffing process.
Creating an efficient onboarding process can save valuable time and resources. It also helps ensure that new employees are properly trained and prepared to hit the ground running.
Here are a few tips for streamlining your facility’s onboarding process:
1. Start with the basics: Before new hires begin their first day, be sure to send over all the necessary paperwork. This can include any required forms or background checks. Doing so will save time on their first day and help avoid any delays in getting them started.
2. Get organized: Put together a folder or binder for each new hire. It should contain their job description, an employee handbook, performance expectations, and other important documentation. This will help to keep them organized and clear on expectations moving forward.
3. Assign a mentor: Pair new hires with a more experienced employee who can show them the ropes. This individual should be available to answer any questions and help new hires feel more comfortable and confident.
4. Be welcoming: Ensure all new hires are made to feel like part of the team. Schedule time for your new employees to meet with individuals from various departments so they are familiar with the organization. Doing so will help foster a collaborative work environment.
3. Establish Clear Communication
Nothing will help you streamline medical facility staffing faster than clear communication!
Here’s why.
In the fast-paced and demanding world of healthcare, there is no room for errors. Establishing clear communication across all levels of a staffing process is important. Doing so ensures that every staff member knows their roles, responsibilities, and expectations clearly.
Effective communication not only enables managers to make informed decisions, but it also helps them provide appropriate feedback to their employees. Moreover, it assists in minimizing mishaps in scheduling shifts or patient-care needs.
Clear communication is especially important when your facility hires temporary help. Travel nurses streamline medical staffing, and having simple, straightforward routes for communication is necessary for their overall success.
At the end of the day, establishing clear communication enhances workflow efficiency by reducing delays related to understaffing.
4. Partner With a Reputable Staffing Agency
To truly streamline your medical facility’s staffing process, partnering with a reputable staffing agency can help.
An agency like Beyond Medical Staffing can help you identify and attract the best candidates for your open positions. Whether you need physicians, nurses, or other medical professionals, a staffing agency has the knowledge and experience to hire for critical roles.
More than that, they have a deep understanding of the healthcare industry. A healthcare staffing agency like Beyond Medical can provide you with expert guidance on recruitment strategies, salary ranges, and job descriptions.
Finally, partnering with a healthcare staffing agency can save you time and resources. Many agencies will handle the initial screening and vetting of candidates, allowing you to focus on providing quality patient care.
Ready to take the first step toward streamlining your facility’s staffing process? Learn more about our agency when you sign up for Beyond Medical insights.