Top Healthcare Hiring Trends You Need to Know

Let’s face it – things have changed in recent years. The residual effects of a global pandemic have affected the lives of millions, both in and out of the workplace. From the transition to remote work to record-breaking resignation rates, employers everywhere were left scrambling to maintain normalcy within their organizations.

The one industry hit particularly hard was Healthcare. The immediate influx of hospitalizations and infection rates combined with an already strapped medical system left the healthcare industry in a tight spot. To attract and retain current staff, many employers incentivized their teams by offering generous raises and sign-on bonuses.

Incentives alone, however, weren’t enough to keep up with the sharp rise in overall demand. Employees came out of COVID-19 with a new attitude toward the workforce. And nearly 3 years later, there are no signs of reverting back to the ‘old ways’ of thinking. Our healthcare industry is still feeling the shortage of skilled medical personnel needed to meet the demands of the American healthcare market.

The burnout is real. According to Mercer’s report on the US Healthcare labor market, over 6.5 million people will quit their jobs, and may even leave the field altogether over the next five years. Before the panic sets in, rest assured, there are options you can take as a healthcare provider to attract, hire, and retain new professionals.

Below are the top healthcare hiring trends you can implement today for continuous company growth:

Make Use of Virtual Interviews:

As many non-essential employees embraced the shift to remote work during the pandemic, it left an impression that was hard to shake. The convenience of working from home and still being able to accomplish the same amount of work put things into perspective for many, making this a new norm.

In addition to the ease of accessibility for candidates, hosting remote interviews allowed healthcare organizations to reach a broader pool of applicants. By including online assessments, employers and recruiters are able to further refine the hiring process, leading to higher-qualified finalists overall.

Maintain a Strong Employer Brand:

In a field as in-demand as healthcare, skilled employees know they have choices. Organizations looking to attract motivated and reliable staff should first evaluate what their brand and reputation are communicating.

The decision-making process will be largely based on the way they view the company, including its mission, values, and brand. Ideally, an employee will feel aligned and inspired by the environment in which they work. Specifically, in the healthcare industry, where employees are often motivated by the desire to improve the health outcomes of their patients.

Prioritizing Candidates’ Needs:

Just as centering the needs of patients leads to favorable health outcomes, prioritizing the needs of candidates often leads to a path of successful recruitment.

A great way for healthcare organizations to begin attracting quality candidates is to consider what’s important to the ideal candidate. This could mean analyzing information from a variety of sources, such as data from interviews, surveys, questionnaires, and further industry research. Candidates will likely consider safety in the workplace, salary, and benefits, flexible schedules, and growth opportunities before accepting a role.

Healthcare employers can then determine how these priorities line up with their values and if adjustments are needed in any areas.

Focus on Retaining Employees:

Once the employee is hired, the work isn’t over. Employees are more likely to remain with their employer if the organization maintains a positive positive work environment and culture. Employees will also factor in available possibilities for growth, personal advancement, and education.

High burnout rates have created hesitancy among many healthcare workers in search of new opportunities. According to the CDC, 53% of public health workers claim they’ve experienced at least 1 symptom of a mental health condition in recent weeks. This can make retaining healthcare workers especially challenging for employers.

Building a strong and supportive team structure may help alleviate high-stress levels found in healthcare environments. Studies show that encouraging and supporting mental health can be key to job satisfaction. This allows the employer to provide the assistance needed for employees to successfully carry out their job duties.

Accelerate Your Healthcare Hiring Needs with Glades Talent

Established in 2018 by three former healthcare executives, Glades Talent has the experience, passion, and network needed to drive your organization forward. Our team begins by fortifying the foundation of all successful businesses; a strong team of skilled professionals. With waves of transformation rolling through the healthcare industry, it’s now more important than ever to have a recruitment firm you can trust.

Glades Talent Offers healthcare organizations a full-service recruitment solution for all clinical, operational, and business development staff. Our team will take a deep dive into your culture, candidate requirements, and growth initiatives, delivering results that last. Interested in speaking in learning more? Speak with a member of our executive recruitment team for a personalized introductory call based on your needs.