The healthcare industry has been facing challenges to recruit and retain healthcare professionals for several decades without respite. Research indicates that by 2020, USA will encounter a shortage of approximately 24,000 physicians and over one million nurses (Price Water Coopers’ Health Research Institute, 2007).
The shortage of qualified professionals is challenging medical and educational industry leaders to provide staffing and care in an increasingly complex and changing healthcare landscape. In addition to an aging population, the rise of chronic diseases and an increasing population, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is responsible for over 32 million newly-insured Americans demanding health care.
The ACA is mandating that industry leaders deliver accountable and value-based healthcare. In the ever-evolving, complex, and unforgiving healthcare industry, leaders do not have much room for error. To deliver quality care and to avoid costly errors, healthcare industry leaders must hire qualified, credentialed and experienced staff.
As many organizations turn to personnel agencies to satisfy their staffing needs, on a temporary and permanent basis, identifying, selecting and partnering with the best agency is critical. Staffing agencies play a vital role in patient safety and quality care.
With the increase in demand for staffing, new agencies are proliferating. A start-up agency with experienced management and recruiters, a robust business and marketing plan, motivation, and commitment to the success of its clients can become a great strategic partner. Healthcare organizations need to consider several criterion and attributes in identifying and selecting the best healthcare staffing agency as a strategic partner.rnAlignment with organizational goals and culture
If a staffing agency understands your operational needs and strategic goals, they have created a solid foundation for a relationship with your organization. When a staffing agency invests the time to understand your organization’s culture and values, mission and goals, short-term plans and long-term strategies, it can apply a holistic approach to providing the best solution for your staffing requirements. You will be better served if the staffing agency strives to bring value to your organization and works as a trusted partner. As an organization’s strategic direction changes, the staffing agency should be flexible enough to adapt to the changes and deliver quality staffing for all situations.The staffing agency’s ability to present candidates with required skill sets that are compatible with your organization’s culture is critical.rnCustomized solutions and services
External and internal forces can lead to changes in the staffing requirements for an organization. A staffing agency which can customize staffing solutions and work closely with you to satisfy dynamic staffing needs is more desirable than a firm with fixed contracts and inflexible terms.rnRecruiting and industry certifications
The staffing agency’s commitment to industry standards and maintenance of accreditation is crucial.
A professional healthcare staffing agency will commit to maintaining the Joint Commission certification. This certification process evaluates a staffing firm in the areas of leadership, technology, human resource, and performance measurement and improvement.rnCompetitive prices
Considering the emphasis on lowering costs while maintaining an accredited standard of health care, a provider that supplies professionals at lower rates will sound appealing. You have also heard that “cheaper is not always better.”
In the long-term, the less-expensive alternative may not be a satisfactory solution for reducing personnel costs – especially if malpractice is the outcome. Hiring a lower-cost staffing agency can cost you more in the long run; something of value has been compromised to offer lower costs, and warrants further investigation.
A staffing agency needs to balance access to resources and operating costs. A staffing agency that is neither expensive nor less expensive, but delivers a competitive price makes for the better staffing partner.rnCustomer and staff satisfaction
A popular indicator of a staffing agency’s performance is its past record of serving other customers and staff recruited by the agency. To evaluate a start-up company’s potential to satisfy its customers and staff one can check the references of the leaders and managers of the company. A quality staffing agency matches the right candidates with right organization. Like marriage, both customer and staff are happy when there is a right match. Prior to partnering with a staffing agency the best practice is to obtain references of their customers and staff, and interview them.rnFinancial strength
For an ongoing successful partnership, ensuring the financial strength of a staffing agency is crucial. A financially strong agency will cover itself with professional liability insurance and be able to satisfy ongoing payroll and tax requirements. For start-up agencies, an experienced management team and realistic business plan will be indicators of sound business practices and financial strength. A staffing agency committed to the highest standards of the healthcare industry is less likely to sacrifice quality over cost.rnScreening process and hiring practices
Since accredited, experienced staffing is paramount to quality healthcare, be sure to select a staffing agency which conducts rigorous screening of candidates and follows best hiring practices. Prior to submitting a candidate for interview the staffing agency should have verified a candidate’s license, health, drug use, references, and other qualifications appropriate for the job opening.
The agency should have standard operating procedures in place, and employ experienced recruiters who can validate the credentials and skills of candidates, and interview them accordingly.rnCurrent on healthcare trends
The ever changing landscape of the healthcare industry makes it important to seek and periodically review the performance of a dynamic staffing partner. A good staffing agency stays abreast with industry trends and ensures that their own staff and job candidates are current and certified on new technology, drugs and professional practices.
Inquire the agency if they attend industry-related conferences, seminars, and trade shows. Is their record-keeping current and meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards; do they provide competitive health care coverage for their employees and contractors?rnContinuous performance improvement
A quality staffing agency not only performs well in the present environment, but also strives to continuously improve performance to deliver excellent staffing services. Such an agency also evaluates the performance of its staff on quarterly or annual basis and arranges necessary training for staff improvement. Engage the staffing agency which demonstrates its commitment to continuous performance improvement.
Exercising due diligence in selecting the right staffing agency can help healthcare organizations avoid costly errors and deliver premium healthcare. Following the above listed pointers will enable organizations to be successful and grow in today’s complex healthcare environment.rnReference
Price Water Coopers’ Health Research Institute (2007). Retrieved from
http://www.wiche.edu/info/agendaBook/nov07/presentations/Carparelli.pdf