As we enter the second half of the year, hospitals and healthcare organizations face the critical task of ensuring optimal staffing levels to meet anticipated increases in patient care demands. Seasonal fluctuations, fiscal year-end preparations, and an already strained healthcare workforce make strategic staffing a necessity to continue delivering the highest quality care. This article will serve as your roadmap, outlining a month-by-month hiring strategy for the last six months of the year to maintain optimal staffing levels while ensuring seamless operations.
July: Workforce Planning is Key
July marks the beginning of summer and the start of the second half of the year, making it an ideal time for healthcare institutions to reassess their workforce plans.
Strategy: With summer vacations and leaves, it’s crucial to have a flexible workforce that can cover these absences without compromising patient care. This could involve strategically scheduling vacations and exploring cross-training opportunities for existing employees.
To begin workforce planning preparations for the rest of the year, healthcare organizations should start by conducting a comprehensive workforce analysis. This involves projecting future patient volumes and identifying any skills gaps within your teams, as well as planning for targeted recruitment efforts in the coming months.
Hiring Focus: Providers, Clinical and Non-Clinical Professionals, Support Staff
August: Gearing Up for Ambulatory Surgical Centers
August typically sees a surge in patient volume at Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs). This phenomenon often coincides with patients meeting their annual deductibles, leading them to schedule elective procedures that were previously postponed and are now more affordable.
Strategy: To accommodate this influx, prioritize hiring for positions directly involved in ASC operations. Consider strengthening your front desk staff to handle increased patient inquiries and scheduling appointments. Medical Assistants (MAs) will be in high demand for pre-operative assessments and assisting surgeons. Additionally, recruiting Registered Nurses (RNs) specializing in pre-operative care, post-surgical recovery (PACU), and surgical circulation will ensure smooth patient flow throughout the perioperative process. Don’t forget the vital behind-the-scenes roles: Sterile Processing Technicians who maintain surgical instrument sterilization and Surgical Technologists who assist surgeons during procedures will be crucial for efficient and safe surgical care.
Hiring Focus: Front Desk MAs, Scheduling RNs (PreOp/PACU/Circulator), Sterile Processing Technicians, Surgical Technologists
September: Bolstering Administrative and Support Staff
With some organizations nearing the end of their fiscal year in September, the administrative workload within hospitals tends to rise significantly. Organizations will need to ramp up efforts for tasks like financial audits, claims processing, and end-of-year reporting.
Strategy: To ensure a smooth end to the fiscal year, consider hiring additional medical billing specialists to handle the increased volume of claims. Administrative assistants with strong organizational skills will be invaluable for managing schedules, preparing reports, and supporting leadership teams. Furthermore, Health Information Technicians (HITs) are crucial for maintaining accurate patient records and ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Hiring Focus: Medical Billing Specialists, Administrative Assistants, Health Information Technicians
October: Weathering the Flu Season Storm
October marks the onset of flu season, a period witnessing a significant rise in patients seeking healthcare services.
Strategy: To effectively combat this surge in demand, consider hiring additional infectious disease specialists, primary care providers, and advanced practice providers who can diagnose and treat flu-related illnesses efficiently. Moreover, bolstering your nursing staff with additional Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) will ensure quality care for all patients during this busy period. Organizations can also launch a flu vaccination campaign to reduce overall patient load.
Hiring Focus: Infectious disease specialists, primary care providers, advanced practice providers, and additional nursing staff.
November: Expanding Specialty Care Teams
As winter approaches, chronic disease management becomes a critical focus area for many healthcare organizations. Patients often require more frequent consultations with specialists like cardiologists, oncologists, and endocrinologists to manage their conditions effectively.
Strategy: To meet this increased demand, prioritize recruitment efforts for specialists who handle chronic disease management. Additionally, recruiting additional specialty nurses with expertise in these disease areas will ensure continuity of care and enhance patient outcomes.
Hiring Focus: Specialists in Cardiology, Oncology, Endocrinology, and Specialty Nurses
December: Prioritizing Mental Health Support
The holiday season can be a stressful time for many, leading to an increase in mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. To ensure patients receive the support they need, consider ramping up your mental health department.
Strategy: Prioritize hiring psychiatrists, psychologists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) to offer individual and group therapy sessions. Recruiting additional mental health nurses will further strengthen your team’s ability to address the elevated demand for mental health services during this period. Finally, don’t forget to take care of your internal team’s mental health, too. Provide staff with training on managing holiday-related stress and mental health issues, and promote your company’s mental health resources and support.
Hiring Focus: Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Mental Health Nurses
Regardless of month or need, a strategic staffing partner like Medix can help you implement a hiring plan tailored to the anticipated fluctuations across the multifaceted healthcare landscape. Our proactive approach goes beyond simply meeting staffing needs. With over 20 years of industry experience and a talent pool of more than three million highly qualified and specialized talent, our flexible staffing solutions can play a significant role in enhancing patient care, improving staff satisfaction, and optimizing operational efficiency.
