Healthcare Staffing Report: March 5, 2015

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US healthcare workers’ confidence rebounds in Q4

Healthcare workers’ confidence rebounded in the fourth quarter, according to the Randstad Healthcare employee confidence index. The index rose to a reading of 57.0 in the fourth quarter from a reading of 54.3 in the third quarter.

Only 30% of healthcare workers say they are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months, down from 36% in the third quarter. However, 56% of healthcare workers indicated they are confident they could find a job in the next 12 months, up from 49% in the third-quarter survey.

Job security among healthcare professionals was significantly high. Only 8% said it was likely they would lose their job, while 76% believed it was not likely. The survey also found 28% of healthcare workers felt there were more jobs available, a nine percentage point increase from the third quarter.

“Last year brought significant changes to the healthcare sector, and 2015 is going to be more of the same,” said Steve McMahan, President of Randstad Healthcare. “Healthcare workers are going to feel the effects of macro-level pressures faced by healthcare providers, including the shift from fee-for-service to value-based payments and a developing need to compete on outcomes. As providers contend with top-line revenue constraints, operating margin compressions and the strain of healthcare reform readiness activities, they are focusing more on value and delivering the best possible health outcomes at a given level of cost. To succeed in competing on outcomes, providers will seek out healthcare professionals who can deliver high-quality care and work towards a common goal of balancing cost and quality.

“Additionally, the improving economy means lower unemployment and, in turn, more people may have employer-sponsored health insurance and will be more likely to perform elective healthcare procedures,” McMahan continued. “This is driving demand for healthcare workers at a faster pace than many employers anticipated and is requiring them to quickly increase staff levels. At the same time, lower unemployment rates means the number of available candidates is decreasing. These dynamics are driving more utilization of flexible staffing firms to deliver highly qualified healthcare workers on a timelier basis.”

The report is based on an online survey conducted in the US by Harris Interactive, on behalf of Randstad, that included 154 healthcare employees.