Between the unprecedented demand for care and a citywide shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, it’s incredibly challenging for health systems to meet patient needs without outside help. One of the most well-known ways to supplement internal workforces is contracting with a local healthcare job agency. No solution is one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to pick the right one. Here’s what to look for.
What to look for when vetting NYC healthcare job agencies
- Can you access a variety of healthcare professionals? Ensure you can access registered nurses, nurse aides and medical technicians with the experience your facility requires.
- Will it save you time? Any NYC healthcare agency you consider should handle everything from sourcing qualified healthcare professionals to managing credentials.
- Do they manage compliance? Staying compliant with healthcare regulations is critical. Make sure the agency understands the NYC healthcare industry’s nuances and can ensure that professionals have the necessary certifications and qualifications.
- Are there any extra fees? Most agencies charge fees for everything from hiring to not using enough hours. Be sure you know about those upfront.
The drawbacks of using an NYC healthcare job agency
Healthcare job agencies provide a range of services tailored to meet the needs of both employers and job seekers, including short-term coverage, permanent placement and per-diem. Here are three benefits and drawbacks for healthcare facilities to consider.
Drawbacks for healthcare facilities
- Lengthy contracts that offer little flexibility: Your agency contract might require you to use their services longer than you need them, and could mean spending money you don’t have.
- Minimum hour requirements: Sometimes agency contracts have minimum hour requirements, so even when you’ve got an employee available to cover a shift, you’ve got to pay the agency.
- Hidden fees and buyout clauses: There are all kinds of hidden fees in agency contracts, and many have buyout clauses, so be aware.
- Little to no control over who delivers care: With staffing agencies, you don’t get to choose who comes into your building to provide care. You get who the agency selects and sends.
What are the alternatives to healthcare job agencies in NYC?
The workforce shortage will continue and demand isn’t going anywhere as the aging population continues to grow. That’s why it’s essential to partner with a company that can give you real scalability.
For example, ShiftKey, a technology partner with a platform that puts facilities in control, helps facilities gain visibility into their costs and enables them to deliver quality care whenever they need extra help—with no minimum hours required. Facilities can use ShiftKey as they need it—whether to fill open shifts due to turnover, find coverage for hard to fill shifts or meet seasonal demand.
With ShiftKey, facilities also get to choose who delivers care in their buildings. The team can see how reliable a professional has been at other facilities, view ratings and reviews and, with time, create networks of qualified, local licensed independent professionals they trust. And, should the facility want to hire an independent professional they met on the platform and there’s mutual interest, there are no buyout fees.
Conclusion
Using healthcare job agencies in NYC to meet care demands has benefits and drawbacks. If you choose to use one, be on the lookout for extra fees and lack of flexibility. If you want to skip the fees, get total visibility over your spend, and connect with local independent professionals who are ready to deliver quality care in your facility today, try ShiftKey.
