How the Best Hospitals Are Making Healthcare the Employer of Choice
HR leaders in hospitals across the country strive to ensure that not only the best physicians, nurses, and other staff members are attracted to these organizations, but also that these same professionals remain loyal enough to stay with them long-term.
This requires an intentional focus on reevaluating employee value propositions, understanding the current needs of workers, and staying true to core values. After the COVID-19 pandemic, HR leaders in healthcare may have their work cut out for them. Many organizations are still struggling with staffing shortages due to high turnover rates. According to the University of Minnesota, turnover rates reached as high as 5.6% during the pandemic, compared to an average rate of 3.2% before the pandemic.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the strategies the most successful healthcare institutions are using to hire empowered employees that truly feel valued.
Encouraging Internal Talent Mobility
Many healthcare organizations are investing in their employees' future by encouraging internal mobility. This can include offering access to career development programs and providing training that allows employees to specialize or advance their current skill sets.
Healthcare organizations can also expand their workforce succession planning efforts to leverage more of their existing workforces. This will enable companies to fill critical roles at the company faster and ensure employees filling those roles reach competency more efficiently.
The HR department can help by identifying employee skills and interests. These can then be aligned with specific job openings. For example, if an employee demonstrates an aptitude for a specific role but doesn't meet the qualifications to fill it, HR can encourage the employee to engage in further education and training to fill the role and receive better compensation.
Creating an Inspiring Workplace Culture
Every hospital seeks to create a workplace culture that is purposeful and inspiring. However, sometimes these ambitions can get lost in the day-to-day work of providing care, especially during challenging times.
Hospital HR departments can foster an inspiring workplace culture by encouraging open dialogue and listening to employees' suggestions. Developing a culture of trust is essential, too—trust that employee concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon quickly.
It's also important for HR departments to invest in recognition programs that reward high-performing staff. This can include financial incentives or time off, as well as more creative methods such as highlighting employees' accomplishments in newsletters and other communications.
Finally, healthcare organizations should ensure employees understand how their work is meaningful and impactful. This could be accomplished through regular meetings and updates from leadership, as well as initiatives that demonstrate the organization's commitment to its core values.
Reimagining Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits improvements are a tried-and-true way to encourage more workers to join the healthcare industry. Creative benefit packages can help attract talented people and retain them over the long term.
Healthcare organizations should think beyond traditional benefits like health insurance. Instead, they should consider offering unique perks that will set them apart from other employers. For example, some hospitals are now offering on-site childcare services or offering financial assistance for continuing education.
Other benefits programs, including benefits like pet insurance and inclusive care coverage for LGBTQ+ employees, are also becoming more prominent at healthcare organizations. According to BenefitsPRO, "When it comes to health care, it is essential for LGBTQ+ employees to feel like their employers are supportive. Beyond offering these benefits and helping to connect them to affirming providers, HR and benefit leaders can take their efforts one step further by continuing to evolve to meet all LGBTQ+ health or wellness needs."
Don’t Miss the Next HR Healthcare Event
The healthcare industry is still one of the most popular industries for employment. However, as the need for healthcare providers, administrators, and technicians continue to grow, healthcare organizations will need to make substantive changes to their workplaces to continue to attract more employees.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can attract more employees to your healthcare organization, don’t miss HR Healthcare 2023 happening from October 2nd to October 3rd at the Austin Marriot Downtown in Austin, Texas.
Download the agenda and register for the event today.