CWS 3.0: December 4, 2013

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Acquired Healthcare VMS to Remain Neutral

Healthcare vendor management system provider ShiftWise was acquired on Nov. 20 by AMN Healthcare Inc., the largest U.S. healthcare staffing firm. However, ShiftWise will continue to operate independently with no change in management team, culture or location in the wake of the acquisition, said Bob Livonius, president, AMN Healthcare Workforce Solutions. ShiftWise will remain vendor-neutral as well.

“We recognize ShiftWise is the leader in the industry,” Livonius said. “It’s the most recognized brand in the VMS side in healthcare.”

Terms of the transaction were not announced.

AMN already had a VMS called SingleSource. The company said that will remain in place for existing customers but over time ShiftWise will become the standard.

Livonius also said data confidentiality will continue to be respected. “Data integrity is completely fundamental to a success with a long-term relationship to staffing partners.”

Steve Schwartz will remain as president of ShiftWise, reporting to Bob Livonius.

Schwartz said it will be business as usual for ShiftWise users in the wake of the acquisition. ShiftWise will also deliver its VMS solution to customers independently of AMN’s managed service provider offering.

ShiftWise, based in Portland, Ore., provides software applications in addition to a VMS. They include ShiftWise Connect, which optimizes the management of regular and agency staff as well as float pools; ShiftWise Staff Time Tracker, a Web-based portal for tracking time and attendance; and ShiftWise VeriStaff, a software product that tracks staff credentials.

“This strategic acquisition is an investment in addressing the diverse needs of our clients by providing a unique vendor neutral technology option as well as other workforce technology solutions that will instantly expand our capabilities,” AMN President and CEO Susan Salka said. “We want to continue to evolve the ShiftWise mission and promote broad adoption of their unique technologies across the industry.”