How area firms fill these tough positions
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
The pandemic certainly exacerbated the healthcare hiring crisis.
The effects are keenly felt today as most healthcare organizations have not recovered from their staffing struggles, leaving them few options but to laden more work onto existing employees as they scramble to find more staff to fill vacant roles. The negative cycle leads to more burnout and additional openings to fill.
“Recruiting is challenging in this industry for a number of reasons,” said Suzanne Benderski, operations project manager for CPS Recruitment in Liverpool. “We’ve seen a large number of professionals leave the field burned out from the pandemic situation. Additionally, there are simply more positions open in healthcare than there are employees to fill the roles. Industrywide there has been an increase in healthcare professionals choosing to work in the private sector as well, as candidates are drawn towards the more stable and traditional hours and hybrid or remote opportunities.”
CPS Recruitment uses a few different tools to recruit workers for healthcare roles, including its applicant tracking systems, numerous job boards, community involvement and relationships, industry networking, referrals, job fairs and dedicated sourcing.
Of course, healthcare organizations themselves can use some of these tools. However, Benderski said that using a recruitment company helps because they have access to recruitment tools that would otherwise be cost prohibitive for a human resources department to use. A recruitment firm can also save time since they specialize in recruiting. The process includes reviewing the resumes, screening, verifying credentials and qualifications and communicating with applicants to ensure a positive experience, even for those not hired.
ProValidus Medical Staffing in Syracuse began operations in 2020, serving only the healthcare industry with employment services. Ashley Hall, chief of human resources, said that the company’s online resources, as well as relationships with organizations help connect the dots between job seekers and companies hiring in healthcare.
“That helps us know how well people would work in that facility and the applicants applying with us,” Hall said. “We try to make it as personalized as possible.”
Keeping communication as simple as possible helps applicants fill roles quickly. Hall said that employers partnering with them can call, text or email to make ProValidus aware of an opening. The company also strives to approve applicants with an easy means of pairing vetted, pre-approved applicants with openings that need filling.
“If employers have to call someone, it’s direct,” Hall said. “I have availability 24/7 and handle everything.”
She said that this personal attention and direct access make it easier for companies used to dealing with the multiple steps required by traveling health companies.
“Working with someone local, you tend to know the area more and there’s a background with the company culture,” Hall added. “We try to personalize it as much as possible. It’s easier to work with someone who’s relatable. With a travel agency, you get a different person every time you talk with them.”
ProValidus uses online resources like Indeed, the local unemployment office and word-of-mouth advertising.
“We also reach out to military installations to get our company out there,” Hall said. “The spouses of military service members will need jobs. Also, some military members may pick up a few hours during the holidays and other times. We reach out to college for people who need hours on break.”
