Medical Economics: 5 tips to help find, hire qualified talent in the healthcare industry
Similar to what is happening in several other service industries, healthcare workers are resigning or retiring early from their jobs at a time when they are needed most. Massive layoffs at the start of the pandemic did nothing but exacerbate an already tough labor market in this industry. And while the glut of unemployed talent should make it easier to find and hire people for the open roles, a recent Vivian Health study found that 43% of the healthcare workers it surveyed are considering leaving their profession in 2021.
In an August 9, 2021, article she wrote for Medical Economics magazine, G&A Partners Recruitment Process Outsourcing Manager Eleesha Martin says these days employers are having a lot of trouble finding and retaining workers to fill their open positions. It’s difficult to find people who fit the necessary criteria and who, once found, will make it all the way through the hiring process to successful onboarding, she says.
Martin shared five tips on how to quickly find and win qualified candidates for open roles:
- Hire a qualified Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) partner.
- Entice qualified candidates with a higher salary and other monetary incentives.
- Streamline the interview process to make it as swift as possible.
- Vet candidates thoroughly before extending an offer.
- Once a decision has been made, communicate quickly.
Once the employees are hired, the equally hard work of retention begins. In the healthcare industry, Martin says it’s especially important that employers keep a finger on the pulse of their employees to ensure they have what they need to be successful in their roles and to remain happy at their workplaces.
“In today’s market, employers must be flexible and accommodating to win talent and retain existing employees,” she says. “The healthcare business can take a heavy toll on its workers, and the pandemic has made it even more challenging.”
Read more of Martin’s advice on how to find and retain top talent in the healthcare industry in her article, “An investment in your employees today will keep your practice healthy for years to come.”