The Impact of Locum Tenens on Healthcare Staffing
Healthcare staffing has been suffering from shortages and other issues for the last few years. Many facilities are experiencing high turnover rates, staff members retiring or moving to a new career, and other situations that could lead to a reduced staff on hand to provide patient care. Though long-term solutions are needed in most situations, locum tenens can provide the bridge needed to cover staffing gaps while other measures are implemented.
Coverage for Staffing Shortage
Staffing shortages are common today and can have a number of root causes. When there is a shortage, getting help right away may be critical to continue to provide care for patients. Instead of waiting for someone to be hired for the position, healthcare facilities can get help over at CompHealth right away. Though it will still be necessary to hire someone for the position, locum tenens ensures the position is covered in the meantime.
Coverage for Vacations
It is crucial for healthcare workers to get the time off they need throughout the year. Vacation time offers a number of benefits for workers and can help to prevent burnout, but if there is a staffing shortage, it can be hard to take time off when it’s needed. With locum tenens, covering for a worker while they’re on vacation is much easier. This makes it possible for all workers to take their vacation time without the facility worrying about a staffing shortage.
Coverage for Medical Emergencies
Medical emergencies can mean staff members are out of work for an extended amount of time. When there is already a staffing shortage, this can put a huge strain on the facility. With locum tenens, it’s possible to hire temporary coverage for the worker who is recovering so they can relax and focus on their recovery from a medical emergency instead of being rushed back to work.
Quickly Increase Coverage When Needed
Sometimes, there are community-based issues that mean more people are in need of healthcare. For example, there may be an increase in patients during flu season, especially if the flu seems to be spreading faster one year. When this happens, facilities often see more patients and provide more help, but this can be hard to do if they are already suffering from a staffing shortage. Locum tenens makes it easy to scale up the number of workers available to help patients, so everyone can receive the care they need.
Help Prevent Burnout
Burnout is increasingly common among caregivers because of the long hours they work and everything they have to get done while at work. Reducing the workload, even temporarily, through additional staffing can help to reduce or prevent burnout for employees, which enables them to continue doing a job they love. Locum tenens is a great way to add additional staff when needed to help prevent caregiver burnout and make sure everyone can get the break they need when they need it.
Healthcare facilities suffering from staffing shortages do have options to consider to help them get through this. It’s important for them to make sure they know where they can turn for help and to make sure everything is covered. Locum tenens provides the help needed for a wide range of healthcare positions, making it easier to handle shortages until more long-term solutions are found.