As hospitals and healthcare facilities navigate the recruitment timeline, there is a myriad of mistakes that can be made along the way. The one snafu most hiring processes have in common? A serious lack of urgency. 

Think about it: In the 2008 Olympic Games, Michael Phelps secured his 7th gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly by one-hundredth of a second. That’s some fierce competition. The cut-throat environment in the swimming pool is no different than what healthcare organizations are up against when dipping their toes into the talent pool. In other words, you won’t win the race with a sluggish, drawn-out recruitment process. 

Today, many facilities struggle to initiate even the simplest strategies, like following up with a potential hire. The result? A less-than-stellar candidate experience – which will quickly snowball into a damaged reputation in the labor market. 

Healthcare Recruiting: Past vs. Present

Years ago, healthcare recruiting looked much different – physicians, nurses and executives were in abundance, with multiple candidates vying for a single opening. Now, the script has been flipped and there are multiple facilities competing for a single candidate. While demand has increased, the gap between openings and potential candidates is greater than ever. Hospitals are facing a 9.9% vacancy rate for RNs alone, and we are still in the midst of a pandemic. 

Hospitals and health systems looking to secure more wins and attract top talent need to incorporate speed into their hiring process. Having a sense of urgency in healthcare recruiting is essential for reducing time-to-fill, improving the patient experience, decreasing burnout and increasing your bottom line. 

Have a Process in Place for Quickly Connecting with Candidates

While you may not be able to schedule a same-day interview with a candidate whose CV landed on your desk five minutes ago, it’s pivotal to have a designated team member connect with that individual immediately. 

Corresponding with a candidate within an hour or two of receiving their submission will communicate the care and investment you place in your staff. Even if it’s a short message relaying your interest in the candidate and letting them know they’ll be contacted shortly, it’ll have a tremendous impact on your success rate. 

Candidates are often submitted to several opportunities at the same time. So, if you want to win the race for talent, incorporating speed and urgency into your healthcare recruiting is crucial for gaining a competitive edge. Quickly filling your open positions also benefits continuity of care, internal morale and reduces unnecessary expenditure. 

In today’s hyper-competitive recruitment landscape, placing an emphasis on speed is vital to creating a positive candidate experience and securing high-quality healthcare talent. At Polaris, our healthcare recruiting experts specialize in helping hospitals and healthcare facilities bridge staffing gaps and craft enticing, stand-out offers. To learn more about how our solutions can help your organization fulfill hiring needs in a strategic and effective manner, contact us today.