Choosing the Right Staffing Solution During a Healthcare Crisis

Every day, hospitals f ace a challenging situation. The urgent need to ensure continuous patient care while navigating complex staffing, regulatory, and logistical challenges is paramount. This case study explores the advantages of using a direct staffing provider like Huffmaster versus Managed Service Provider (MSP).

SCENARIO

Imagine a large regional hospital facing a sudden staffing shortage. Management has time to consider two options: working with an MSP or partnering with a direct staffing provider such as Huffmaster.

OPTION 1: MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER (MSP)

MSPs offer services such as handling staff fulfillment, onboarding, offboarding, and compliance. In addition, the MSPs’ access to a large pool of candidates through multiple staffing agencies and using technology for management processes is beneficial.

However, some MSPs only specialize in certain types of candidate specialty groups. If a hospital is looking for candidates across multiple specialties, it may have to hire multiple vendors with multiple contracts to fulfill their needs.

Large-scale operations and automation within an MSP could lead to communication delays and long response times. When an MSP has multiple hospitals submitting many orders at once, the MSP model can make it difficult to determine the highest priority order. Most critically, for this situation, MSPs may only support the assignment setup and digital management of the order through candidate submission, assignment offer, compliance, and billing processes.

OPTION 2: DIRECT STAFFING PROVIDER (HUFFMASTER)

Huffmaster specializes in comprehensive healthcare staffing. Their industry expertise allows them to provide knowledgeable, experienced healthcare professionals–rapidly. Huffmaster’s direct staffing model incorporates large-scale project management into the traditional travel staffing model–reassuring the client that the qualified candidates show up, stay on-site
throughout the deployment duration, and have an enjoyable experience.

In addition to nurses, Huffmaster offers a robust network of hard-to-find, experienced, and skilled healthcare workers such as:

  • Respiratory Therapists
  • Surgical Technicians
  • Lab Technicians
  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Radiology Technicians
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Phlebotomists
  • Clinical Supervisors
  • Social Workers
  • Registered Dieticians

Because Huffmaster offers a wide range of specialties, clients don’t have to go through a tedious process of establishing multiple contracts with numerous agencies to ensure all orders are filled.

Huffmaster’s direct model includes a dedicated account executive and direct access to the operational assets assigned to filling client needs. Their on-site coordinators are the first to know if an on-site traveler is late or does not show up for a shift. Sometimes, the on-site coordinator can help identify a staffing issue before the shift starts and react accordingly. Huffmaster’s direct model offers a comprehensive staffing solution, providing healthcare professionals and managing staffing coordination, hotel accommodations, and travel services— the individualized attention hospitals require. On-site management alleviates concerns that a traveler or contracted healthcare professional leaves the assignment or is unreachable.

MSP VS. HUFFMASTER’S SERVICES

Although MSPs offer integration into many healthcare providers’ Vendor Management Systems (VMS) for ease of billing, they often lack vital services such as a dedicated coordinator who can be reached 24/7 if there are any issues with replacement staff. Whether choosing an MSP or a direct staffing solution provider, these factors must be considered:

  • Comprehensive Staffing Solution: Hospitals face the logistical complexities of finding qualified replacement workers, housing them, and managing their schedules.
  • Time and Resource Efficiency: Hospital management must focus on maintaining patient care. The selected staffing provider’s services must significantly save time and resources for the facility’s management.
  • Streamlined Communication: Having a single point of contact for staffing, accommodations, and travel can make communication much more straightforward. This can help to avoid misunderstandings or scheduling issues.
  • Speed and Agility: The selected staffing provider must manage all aspects of the staffing process to respond more quickly to changes in the hospital’s needs.
  • Stress for Replacement Staff: Traveling to a new location for work can be stressful. An on-site coordinator will help to minimize this stress for the travel staff.

CONCLUSION

While MSPs can provide a broad, general service covering many roles, hospitals benefit more from a specialized direct staffing provider like Huffmaster. Their ability to rapidly mobilize professionals and support their temporary workforce with on-site coordination has led to Huffmaster being widely considered the most dependable staffing partner in the industry.

To learn more about Huffmaster’s healthcare solutions, contact Andrew Schroeder at 248.616.8317