Flu season is upon us. For many healthcare leaders, this time of year can be unpredictable — patient volume can soar at a moment’s notice, and some of your perm staff may unexpectedly become sick. And while last year’s flu season was moderate in its severity, it lasted for a recording-breaking 21 weeks, according to the CDC.
To prepare for this year’s flu season, you’ll want to make strategic use of Travel Nurses and other temporary healthcare professionals. On that note, you should consider the following four practical tips for hiring seasonal healthcare staff:
Plan ahead: A last-minute approach to healthcare staffing can leave you short-staffed during the busiest time of the year, and that can be a costly mistake. To avoid these pitfalls, you should create your staffing strategy well ahead of the peak flu season. We recommend you start looking for temporary help in late September or early October. Hiring early also gives your temporary staff enough time to learn the ropes at your facility.
Team up with a staffing partner: A staffing firm, like Medical Solutions, can save you valuable time and resources by working on your behalf to pre-screen, interview, and recommend qualified candidates for your open positions. With their team of experts, you’ll be able to find the right healthcare professional who fits your organization’s culture. And when next year’s flu season rolls around, that same staffing partner can help you forecast your facility’s staffing needs using last year’s data.
Remember the candidate experience: Just like with permanent employees, competition is fierce when it comes to securing the best contingent clinical talent. If you make your candidates jump through hoops or complete several rounds of interviews, they’ll go elsewhere. A staffing partner can keep your hiring process short while simultaneously maintaining your high standards during a busy time.
Set expectations: This might seem obvious, but the Traveler should know how long the assignment will be. If there’s a chance for the temporary position to become a perm one, you should also let the candidate know ahead of time. Sometimes, a healthcare professional is merely traveling to test the waters at different facilities. If they know this temporary gig could become permanent, they might be more interested in applying in the first place.
For more information about how you can help prepare your facility for this year’s upcoming flu season, please contact Medical Solutions.
