Back
The U.S. healthcare industry faces unique challenges when it comes to recruiting and hiring qualified workers. Healthcare staffing firms, hospitals, and facilities have the complex and often difficult job of filling the growing number of available positions. From dealing with a shortage of qualified candidates to cumbersome administrative processes, the obstacles can stack up against recruiters and hiring managers. However, by leveraging technology and adopting strategic approaches, they can overcome the challenges and ensure smoother and more efficient recruitment processes.
Healthcare Staffing—Finding Solutions
While there are many challenges to finding and hiring qualified healthcare workers, there are also strategies and technologies available to help alleviate these issues. Let’s explore some of the most common obstacles in the healthcare staffing recruitment journey and the ways to overcome these obstacles.
Shortage of Qualified Candidates
One of the primary obstacles faced by healthcare staffing recruiters is the shortage of qualified candidates. The demand for healthcare workers often exceeds the supply, particularly in specialized fields, such as nursing and allied health professions. While there has been some growth in the healthcare sector, it will take some time to recover to pre-pandemic numbers. In fact, according to the AAMA (Association of American Medical Colleges), we can expect a physician shortage of over 80,000 by 2036. The bottom line is that it is hard to find the right people for open positions.
Solution: Technology
To address this challenge, organizations can utilize technology-driven recruitment platforms that streamline candidate sourcing and screening processes. These platforms leverage artificial intelligence and data analytics to identify suitable candidates based on their skills, experience, and qualifications. They can comb job boards and harvest resumes in much less time than it takes to do these things manually, ultimately expanding the talent pool and reducing time-to-hire.
Time-Consuming Administrative Processes
Another significant obstacle in healthcare recruitment is the burden of time-consuming administrative tasks. From managing job postings to processing applications and conducting background checks, the administrative workload can overwhelm hiring managers and HR professionals.
Solution: Automation
One solution to this challenge is to implement applicant tracking systems (ATS) and workforce management tools that automate and streamline administrative processes. These tools enable recruiters to manage candidate pipelines, track applicant progress, and coordinate interview schedules more efficiently, freeing up time for strategic initiatives and candidate engagement.
Compliance and Credentialing Requirements
Healthcare recruiters must adhere to stringent compliance and credentialing requirements to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. Managing and verifying credentials, licenses, and certifications manually can be labor intensive and prone to human error. They need an easier way to complete this important step so that talent doesn’t slip through their fingers and move on to other opportunities.
Solution: Automated credential verification
To address this challenge, organizations can implement automated credentialing software and electronic document management systems. These tools centralize credentialing processes, automate verification workflows, and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory mandates, minimizing risks and ensuring compliance throughout the hiring process. These tools can be built right into the ATS platform, making the task simpler and the workflow that much more efficient.
Competitive Recruitment Landscape
It is a fact that the healthcare recruitment landscape is competitive and time is of the essence in your sourcing and hiring processes. Attracting and retaining top talent requires a strategic approach. Healthcare organizations must differentiate themselves as employers of choice by highlighting their unique value propositions, such as competitive compensation packages, professional development opportunities, and workplace culture.
Solution: Improve candidate experience
Leveraging technology to automate many of the manual tasks in the workflow will free up time for quality engagement with candidates. This will ensure a great impression from the start, which can help to foster strong relationships and better retention. Using employer branding strategies and digital marketing tactics can enhance visibility and attract passive candidates who may not be actively seeking employment. By investing in employer branding initiatives and candidate experience enhancements, healthcare organizations can stand out in the crowded recruitment market and attract—and keep—top-tier talent.
Heading
Today’s recruiters in the healthcare industry are up against some substantial obstacles when finding and hiring healthcare workers, but these obstacles are not insurmountable. By embracing technology-driven solutions and adopting strategic approaches, these challenges can be overcome effectively and healthcare organizations can optimize their recruitment strategies and secure the talent needed to deliver quality patient care.
Interested in the conversation around combating the healthcare staffing shortage? Visit our LinkedIn page to join the discussion!
