Stay Informed: 5 Major Healthcare Staffing Trends You Can’t Ignore

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is evident that healthcare staffing is not what it used to be decades ago. Many of the processes and practices of various healthcare firms and agencies have changed dramatically. What's more, there are new healthcare staffing trends developing daily, moving the industry towards more progressive growth. 

Whether you are looking for resources to help you create a business plan or simply want to be informed on the latest healthcare staffing trends, this post is for you. In this blog post, we focus on five major healthcare staffing trends that are dominating the modern healthcare staffing industry today. 

Major Healthcare Staffing Trends to Keep an Eye On

Understanding industry trends is crucial for developing business plans that align with the current business landscape. However, researching each trend can be time-consuming. We get that; that’s why we’ve done the research for you. Below, we bring you the major healthcare staffing trends to help you make practical decisions for your business. 

1. International Hiring

Healthcare staffing agencies have become one of the fastest-growing businesses worldwide. As a matter of fact, the global healthcare staffing market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2022 to 2031. By the end of the forecast period, the market is expected to be valued at $89.8 billion. 

As the healthcare staffing market continues to move towards rapid expansion, the demand for additional personnel to carry out healthcare duties also increases. According to a 2020 report, the number of health workers is projected to reach 84 million by 2030, with an average growth rate of 29% from 2020 to 2030. This growth rate is faster than the population growth rate of 9.7%. With such demand, it comes as no surprise that hospitals, healthcare staffing agencies, and other businesses alike are sourcing internationally. 

By hiring internationally, countries can fill the gaps in their healthcare workforce faster and have access to a wider pool of high-caliber talents overseas. This practice can also contribute to enhancing an institution's reputation and competitiveness. Some of the countries that are known for sourcing healthcare workers from other countries are the USA, Canada, the UK, and the UAE. 

2. Technology-Led Recruiting

Healthcare recruiting has become increasingly competitive in recent years. To address this, many agencies adopt faster and more practical technology-led hiring methods to recruit the most qualified workers. Below, we list and detail some of the technological tools used in recruiting today.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

In recruiting, AI is utilized to implement seamless recruitment procedures such as generating job descriptions, expanding candidate search, and screening interested applicants. With AI, recruiters can also use machine learning to help make predictions and draw connections in large quantities of data. Machine learning helps in job advertising, resume screening, and candidate assessment and engagement. 

In addition to machine learning, AI-powered chatbots make modern-day recruitment much more efficient than before. AI-powered bots can be used to ask pre-screening questions and conduct initial interviews. These bots can also be programmed to answer FAQs about the hiring process. 

Online Assessment Tools

To further optimize hiring processes, businesses—including healthcare staffing agencies—turn to online assessment tools to evaluate the skills of applicants more effectively. Besides evaluation, these tools also aid in the selection of the most qualified candidate for a job opening. 

Virtual Conferencing Software

In addition to virtual and remote healthcare services, the healthcare world has also welcomed virtual and remote technology in recruitment. Recruiters take advantage of virtual conferencing software to conduct virtual interviews and get to know their potential hires. Through these applications, recruiters can have a one-on-one interaction with a candidate while saving time and resources.  

Mobile Recruiting

As smartphones become more powerful nowadays, mobile recruiting is gaining more traction than ever. Mobile recruiting is a hiring practice that uses mobile technology to engage and attract applicants. In this practice, recruiters use mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to exchange messages with job seekers, navigate through career websites, and share job postings on social media channels. Some of the benefits of mobile recruiting include wider reach, faster application process, and cost-efficiency. 

3. Data and Analytics 

Healthcare agencies can benefit from data and analytics not just in enhancing their services but also in gaining useful insights about their staffing needs. By analyzing data such as the facility’s statistical information, recruiters can effectively assess which of the applicants can bring the most value to the workforce. 

4. Demand for Higher Compensation 

Despite offering vital services during the pandemic, healthcare workers remain to be underpaid and undervalued. A report from Medical Economics revealed that 73% of healthcare workers feel underpaid, and 59% feel unappreciated at work. Given this, it is no wonder that many healthcare organizations and workers continue to advocate for better pay. Similarly, a growing number of healthcare professionals are seeking employment in companies that offer more competitive salaries. 

As a healthcare staffing agency, it is essential to recognize the need for medical professionals to receive higher compensation for their services. It could be worthwhile to adjust current hiring models to support better compensation and provide employers with financially stable options. 

5. Increase in Job Openings 

Did you know that there are 200,000 more job openings each month than new hires in the healthcare industry? The growth of the healthcare industry has brought about a number of new job openings that were not offered before. For instance,  many hospitals are hiring practitioners for virtual medical work. While the increase in job openings in the healthcare industry offers more opportunities for healthcare workers, recruitment agencies need to develop more strategic plans to introduce new job openings. 

Stay on Trend with StaffConnect

With the current trends in healthcare staffing, it is evident that the industry is moving faster than ever before. Is your agency’s processes effective and efficient enough to go with the trends? If that’s a tough question for you to answer, you may want to consider a business management software’s help. 

Introducing StaffConnect, a business management platform that streamlines operations and automates tasks. This app is equipped with practical tools and features that promote more efficient workflow and help save time and costs. From onboarding and scheduling to data gathering and maintaining communication with your staff, StaffConnect has the right tools to use.

If you are interested in discovering StaffConnect’s features and functionalities further, feel free to book a free demo here.