Healthcare recruitment trends in 2023 and beyond

The healthcare recruiting landscape has witnessed drastic changes over the past few years — the COVID-19 pandemic brought several changes on how organizations and hospitals are able to tap the right candidates to provide high-quality care to patients. On top of this, the aging and growing population is introducing shifts in the demand for certain healthcare professionals.

With the still ongoing pandemic, technological advancements, and the shifting demographic trends, healthcare organizations are adapting to new ways of recruiting and retaining talent.

Here are some emerging trends that are expected to have a lasting impact on the future of healthcare recruitment in the years to come:

Automation of the Recruitment Process

Manual recruitment processes will not cut it anymore in the current landscape of healthcare recruiting. For many hospitals and organizations, the goal now is to maximize the capabilities of modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation.

Here are some areas where automation and AI can be helpful in healthcare recruitment:

• Automated resume screening and candidate matching – With AI-powered tools, recruiters can easily sift through large volumes of applications quickly and efficiently, allowing them to determine which ones have the relevant skills, experience, and rank based on the needs of a particular role.
• Efficient scheduling of interviews – Recruiters can use software and digital tools to book interviews for applicants, helping save time and streamline the application process. Chatbots, for instance, can provide answers to common application questions, schedule interviews, and provide information about the process.
• Predictive analytics – AI can also help recruiters identify patterns and trends in recruitment. For instance, it can determine which job listings platform is the most effective in reaching out to potential candidates for a particular position. Overall, AI and analytics can help them fine-tune their recruitment strategies and identify which methods yield the best results.

Not only will AI and automation be able to help reduce the costs of recruitment, it will also make the process be more streamlined, efficient, and data-driven by automating repetitive tasks, reducing bias, and providing valuable insights.

Leveraging digital channels in recruiting

The digital landscape now offers endless possibilities for healthcare organizations and recruiters not only to promote job opportunities, but also showcase their brand and create a network of potential candidates.

Healthcare recruiters will need to develop innovative digital recruitment strategies to attract top talent in this competitive industry. These strategies can include having a more active social media presence or by hosting virtual recruitment events such as webinars and career fairs.

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a critical component not just in hiring healthcare professionals but in the overall recruitment field. There is a growing recognition of the importance of building diverse teams that reflect the communities they serve, particularly for healthcare organizations. With greater emphasis on DEI, they can focus on strategies to attract and retain diverse talent, ensuring that they do not unintentionally exclude underrepresented groups.

Placing importance on DEI also builds on the reputation of healthcare organizations, helping them gain the trust not just of their employees but also their patients. This, in turn, allows them to provide better service delivery. Partnerships with organizations that focus on diversity and inclusion, offering targeted recruitment programs, and developing inclusive workplace policies and practices are some of the ways healthcare institutions can further embrace DEI.

Rising demand for specific healthcare professionals

The changing demographics and health priorities will be significant drivers of demand for certain healthcare professionals for the next few years. For instance, the lockdowns and isolation amid the pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health among individuals. As issues become prevalent and more talked about, healthcare organizations are recognizing the need for more mental health professionals, such as psychologists, therapists, and counselors.

Many companies and businesses are also recognizing the need to support the mental health of their employees, leading to an increase in demand for mental health professionals in the workplace. Meanwhile, the aging population will spur the need for more healthcare professionals in assisted living facilities, especially given the United States Census Bureau’s forecast that by 2030, around 20% of the population will be in the age of 65 and over.

Also read: Role of the Registered Nurse in an Assisted Living Facility

Hiring Nurses, in particular, are going to be in high demand as they oversee a major part of the health and personal care services being offered to seniors residing in the facilities.

A separate forecast by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the demand for advanced practice practitioners like nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is expected to continue increasing until 2031. Tapping the expertise of recruitment service providers like DeVore can help organizations find qualified and top-notch healthcare professionals to join their team.

Investing in retention

As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, organizations will face increased competition for top talent. Investing in employee retention is going to be key for all healthcare organizations. This will require them to differentiate themselves and offer competitive compensation and benefits packages.

Healthcare organizations must also invest in upskilling and reskilling their existing employees to address skills gaps and meet changing business needs. This approach not only helps organizations retain their talent but also supports the development of a skilled and adaptable workforce. Another way of increasing retention is by fostering a healthy work-life balance. While trends such as the work-from-home or hybrid workforce set-ups might be challenging for organizations in the healthcare industry, other strategies can still be explored like flexible work scheduling.

If you are looking to explore strategies on how to improve your retention and other areas for recruitment, you can reach out to De Vore Recruiting.

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