Whether you’re a hospital, clinic, or healthcare service provider, one trend continues to stand out as a transformative force: flexibility. Traditional healthcare delivery models are undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by technology, demographics, and evolving patient expectations. Integrating flex workers into the fold can give you the elasticity you need to navigate fluctuating patient volumes and staffing shortages. Embracing flexibility as your competitive advantage is the differentiator in delivering exceptional patient care and staying ahead of the curve.
What are flex workers?
Healthcare flex workers, also known as gig workers, are skilled clinical professionals who provide services on a flexible basis. These individuals, like registered nurses, physicians, therapists, medical assistants, and others typically work temporary, part-time, per diem, or contractual shifts.
Currently, 13% of the U.S. flex workforce belongs to the healthcare industry, and that number continues to grow. Flex workers play such a large role in filling vital staffing gaps for facilities, ensuring there’s adequate shift coverage and continuity of care for patients. In a time where we’ve seen demand for healthcare services outnumber the supply, flex workers are the versatile, adaptable, and skilled additions that help you stay afloat in your own talent pool.
Turning flex workers into your competitive advantage.
Consider flex workers as strategic assets in your workforce arsenal. They’re more than just temporary fill-ins. Strategically used, they can help:
- provide on-demand support
- optimize resource allocation
- maintain high standards of care
- enhance patient outcomes
How? By maximizing the value and impact they bring to your organization. Here’s how healthcare facilities like yours can leverage flex workers to gain a competitive edge:
Strategic Workforce Planning: Create a contingency plan of action that aligns flex workers to your highest areas of need by identifying which areas within your facility they can supply the most value. This could be high-demand departments, specialty care units, or even specific times of the year when patient volumes are typically higher.
Staffing Agility: Use flex workers to cover unexpected absences, respond to sudden increases in patient volume, and fill short-term staffing gaps. It’s an elastic staffing strategy that allows you to adapt quickly and efficiently to the ebb and flow of demand.
Enhanced Patient Experiences: Flex workers often bring diverse skills and experiences to your units that help enhance the patient’s overall stay. Whether it’s language proficiency, clinical certification, or experience with a specialized procedure, flex staff can complement the skills of your existing staff and help enhance patient satisfaction.
Cost-Effective Resource Management: Flex workers are simply a cost-effective solution to hiring full-time employees. By deploying your pool of flex staff on an as-needed basis, you can prevent overstaffing and reduce significant labor costs that come with recruitment, training, benefits, and other hiring expenses.
In embracing flex workers as your talent pool advantage, you’re not just adapting to change; you’re leading it—meeting the demands of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. So, seize this opportunity to integrate flex workers strategically, optimize your workforce, and elevate patient care. The time for action is here—let’s shape the future of work together!
Matchwell, now part of the Medical Solutions healthcare talent ecosystem, is an agency alternative that matches clinicians with top healthcare facilities looking for local and per diem talent. Start a conversation today!