Healthcare workers were stretched beyond their limits over the past few years with many doctors and nurses deciding to quit entirely. As more and more was asked of them, healthcare providers were also tasked with the unenviable job of reducing costs further which included identifying more cost-effective staffing models. Some of these have proven to be very successful for some practices while the verdict is still out in others.
Below you will find five alternative staffing models which can help you cut costs while still providing top-notch care for your patients. These approaches do not have to be used exclusively and you may find that a hybrid staffing model actually suits your business the best.
Top-of-License Model
Under this model, the skills of all of your clinicians are optimized, meaning that they work to the highest extent based on their current education, experience, and training. This model also has knock-on benefits. Experienced clinicians aren’t tasked with performing entry-level duties and practices are likely to see higher levels of employee engagement and retention.
In-House Model
As the name suggests, the in-house model emphasizes building up your core team to help reduce the high costs associated with temporary and agency labor. It also gives you the chance to build your own work culture and professional environment which, in turn, can help increase employee engagement. It is important to keep in mind that you may have to pay higher costs associated with staff benefits, overtime, and onboarding than you would have to pay for short-term labor but the benefits of having a cohesive team will likely outweigh the HR costs.
The Retention Model
Employee turnover can cost practices a substantial amount of fact. In fact, it is estimated that the cost of replacing an employee is actually one half to double the cost of that person’s salary according to Gallup Research. The retention model can include a wide array of incentives including performance bonuses, non-financial benefits, and growth opportunities and can easily be incorporated with other staffing models.
The Cross-Train Model
Cross-training employees is an excellent way to optimize a workforce regardless of the industry or discipline. Upskilling employees in a wide variety of roles not only makes them even more valuable assets to your practice when it comes to filling shifts but it also promotes knowledge sharing amongst staff members which helps strengthen your business as a whole.
The Flexible Workforce Model
As more and more employees are demanding a better work-life balance and a more flexible schedule, many practices are turning to a flexible workforce model where on-demand clinicians are used to fill in staffing gaps. Under this model, medical providers staff to approximately 60% capacity and use external service providers for additional staffing on need dates. This is ideal for providers on tight budgets who need to optimize staffing on certain dates without adding the costs of additional headcount.
Need help?
As you can see, there are many different models that you can use when it comes to staffing your business. We know that every practice is different and our team can help you create a staffing model catered to your unique needs. Give us a call to learn more!