The workforce shortage in the healthcare sector is projected to get worse. By 2030, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates a global shortage mounting 10 million healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and midwives.
In Australia, the issue is widely felt. Job Skills Australia reported that the majority (82%) of health occupations are in shortage in 2023. New Zealand is also feeling the pressure, with more than a quarter (26%) of nursing shifts not meeting staffing targets.
While the government is rolling out various initiatives to help address the issue, it leaves employers wondering: What innovative staffing solutions are available to bridge the talent gap?
Fortunately, as the world becomes more borderless and interconnected, opportunities are opening up. This includes the growing demand for telehealth nurses who make patient care more accessible while helping to fill those staffing gaps.
What is the fastest growing healthcare occupation?
In the healthcare sector, registered nurses remain the fastest growing occupation. The projected growth for nurses in Australia is around 100,000 by 2025.
Nurses have an important role to play in the healthcare system. They provide quality health services, assist doctors, administer medication, monitor patients’ health, and much more. Without them, it would be challenging to meet the demands in hospitals and clinics.
The demand for registered nurses is expected to grow further in the coming years, largely due to the aging population and the increasing need for comprehensive care in both urban and rural areas.
Addressing workforce challenges with innovative healthcare talent solutions
Staffing challenges can be a big opportunity for employers to venture into new and innovative solutions. After all, it won’t hurt to try new ideas that can pay off in the long run. In this section, we’ll explore some proven talent solutions you can use to meet your workforce staffing needs.
Using AI-powered analytics and global talent sourcing to tackle workforce shortages
With technology advancing, planning and improving your recruitment efforts can now be done more efficiently. One can utilise AI-powered platforms to streamline the hiring process and analyse staffing needs.
For example, if you are looking to analyse your workforce data, you can leverage AI-powered workforce analytics to do the work. It can provide insights into hiring metrics, evaluate your staffing needs, and recommend candidate profiles and qualifications. This way, you can save time and resources and make more informed decisions.
On a different note, if talent is limited locally, why not expand your horizons and tap into the international talent pool? With global talent sourcing, you can find and source talent from any location. This is particularly relevant for positions that do not require being in a specific location, such as administrative roles and telehealth care.
However, sourcing global talent poses legal and financial risks for your business. Each country has its own local labour laws and regulations you need to follow. This is even more challenging when you decide to hire healthcare professionals in multiple countries. And noncompliance could lead to legal disputes and damage to your reputation.
To minimise risk, it’s recommended to partner with a reliable global workforce solution provider, such as CXC, that can help you source healthcare workers in different countries while providing local expertise and support.
What is the average time to hire in healthcare?
The average time to hire in healthcare sector can vary based on several factors such as, the specific job role, geographic location, and the hiring process. Typically, it could range from 30 to 60 days, which can be longer for positions that needed specialised skills.
However, this can be significantly reduced if you partner with a workforce solution provider that can take care the entire employee lifecycle from sourcing, onboarding, up to offboarding.
Combating high turnover and burnout with flexible staffing and engagement strategies
Working in the healthcare sector can be both physically and emotionally draining, especially in high-stress environments like emergency departments or aged care facilities. Because of this setup, healthcare professionals are prone to experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue.
Without a proper way to combat burnout and high levels of stress, it can lead to employees quitting, which can be costly for your organisation. The average hospital, for instance, lost an average of $4.2 million in 2023 due to turnover-related costs, including hiring and training expense.
To help prevent burnout and improve retention, here are some strategies your organisation can implement:
- Offer flexible work arrangements
Let healthcare professionals choose their shifts or create their own schedules. If possible, consider offering remote or hybrid arrangements to help them balance their work and personal life more effectively. When healthcare professionals have the freedom to decide how they want to work, it boosts their morale and job satisfaction.
Moreover, it allows them to manage their time more effectively, leading to a healthier work-life balance. And when they’re happier at work, it reflects positively on their performance and the care they provide to patients.
- Provide health and wellness support
A lack of support in this area can exacerbate stress levels. After all, healthcare workers need someone to support and care for them, just like their patients do. Offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide confidential counselling and support for personal or professional challenges. This may help in alleviating stress and preventing burnout.
Aside from EAP, you can organise wellness programs, such as stress management workshops, fitness classes, mindfulness sessions, or gym reimbursement, to foster a healthier work environment. Encouraging participation in these wellness activities promotes self-care and helps foster a healthier work environment.
- Conduct regular check-ins and seek feedback
Make it your top priority to check in with your staff. Schedule regular meetings to discuss concerns, issues, workload, ideas, and aspirations. Establish formal channels for your employees to provide feedback and suggestions. When healthcare professionals feel they are heard and seen, it can ultimately boost their job satisfaction and retention.
- Implement recognition and incentives programs
A striking insight from a recent report shows that a whopping 80% of healthcare professionals leave their jobs because they don’t feel appreciated. To address this, you can implement programs that recognise and reward your healthcare employees for their hard work. Showing your utmost appreciation can greatly boost their morale and job satisfaction.
To encourage loyalty and retention, you can offer bonuses and additional benefits for healthcare workers who stay with your organisation longer. This not only acknowledges their commitment but also helps reduce turnover.
Bridging geographic disparities in healthcare staffing
Access to a global talent pool is one of the viable solutions to address the healthcare staffing shortage. Thanks to technological advancements, you can reach potential candidates anywhere in the world.
However, competition for talent is tough, so you’ll need creative strategies to attract them. Start by building a strong employer brand. Showcase your organisation’s mission, value, culture, and commitment to employee well-being. A positive employer brand can attract healthcare professionals who are looking for a workplace that matches their beliefs.
On top of that, focus on creating an excellent candidate experience. Make sure your recruitment team runs a well-organised interview process and communicates clearly to prospective hires. This leaves a positive impression of your organisation and helps build strong relationships with potential hires.
If you are keen to speed up the hiring process, you can partner with a workforce solution provider, such as CXC Health, that has expertise in international recruiting—helping you find the right talent while ensuring compliance with local labour laws and regulations.
Building a resilient healthcare future with effective talent solutions
Now that you’re familiar with the different talent solutions available to help bridge the healthcare staffing gap, it’s time to put those ideas into action. Understanding these solutions is just the first step; the real challenge lies in implementing them effectively.
Analyse your existing workforce data and see what kind of support is needed. Look closely at what your current staff needs in terms of support, training, and resources. By gaining a better understanding of the whole picture of your workforce, you can implement a tailored approach that bridges specific gaps and overall job satisfaction.
Use AI-powered tools to assess your workforce needs and streamline your recruitment process. These tools can help you identify the best candidates by analysing skills, experience, and fit for your organisation. This not only saves time but also ensures you’re making informed hiring decisions.
Moreover, expand your reach and leverage the global talent pool. With advancements in technology and modern workforce solutions, you can now connect with healthcare professionals from around the world who are eager to contribute their skills and expertise.
Lastly, think about implementing various talent retention programs. Programs that provide health and wellness support, promote work-life balance, and acknowledge staff hard work can help improve your retention rate.
How we can help
For over 30 years, we have been helping companies in various sectors, including healthcare, source, hire, pay, and manage talent anywhere in the world.
When you partner with you, you gain the flexibility to meet the demands of the healthcare industry head-on. That means you’ll always have the staff you need, along with reliable, high-quality workforce solutions that adapt to your changing needs.
Whether you need to fill a short-term requirement, staff a medium-term project, or meet your long-term staffing needs, we can tailor our solution to fit your timeline.
If you’re ready to discover how CXC Health can help you achieve uninterrupted delivery of critical healthcare services and connect you with top talent in the industry get speak to our team today.