According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s January jobs report, the healthcare industry added 368,000 jobs throughout 2018. In January alone, 42,000 jobs were filled. That is some serious growth. If trends continue then your team will be expected to fill 2.4 million positions throughout the next decade. Because, honestly, industry growth can only happen as quickly as you can hire.

Your team has met the demands of a fast-paced industry so far, but healthcare hiring and development trends are ever changing. Here are some of the most critical healthcare hiring trends happening right now.

Three Major Healthcare Hiring Trends To Watch Out For In 2019

The Talent Pool Is Shrinking

With demand at an all-time high, you’d expect talent to be high as well right? According to a 2018 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The United States is facing a shortage of physicians and doctors.

“…Much of the increased demand comes from a growing, aging population. The U.S. population is estimated to grow by nearly 11%, with those over age 65 increasing by 50% by 2030. Additionally, the aging population will affect physician supply, since one-third of all currently active doctors will be older than 65 in the next decade. When these physicians decide to retire could have the greatest impact on supply,” says the report. So what does this mean for you?

In short, it means you’ve got quite a bit of work ahead of you. As a recruiter, you know that a talent shortage means one thing: it’s a candidate’s market. Top talent can afford to take their time when deciding where to take their career. Take this as an opportunity to develop your employer branding. Your reputation as an employer will be worth its weight in gold. You won’t find yourself short on talent, and your KPIs will thank you for it.

Centralized Recruitment Technology Is On The Rise

Healthcare hiring of the past has always been disconnected. Because most hospitals and clinics have a fragmented organizational chart, every division has its unique way of operating. Nursing operates independently from the rest of the organization, while physician hiring could be controlled by the VPMA or any C-suite level executive. This has left healthcare hiring in a general state of disarray. With the development of new hiring technology, however, these separate processes are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Recruitment platforms are now allowing for a more streamlined and transparent hiring process for many healthcare institutions. With some recruitment platforms being able to integrate into an already existing Applicant Tracking System (ATS), the process for you and your team will be a much less painful experience.

A Bigger Focus On Customer Service

With more hospitals (and patients) actively participating in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, customer service is at the forefront of today’s healthcare environment. Before the implementation of HCAHPS, there was no standardized approach to measuring patient satisfaction. With its development, however, I’m sure you’re thinking of ways to improve your score. And it all starts with the right staff.

With questions regarding communication with doctors and nurses, the responsiveness of hospital staff, cleanliness of the environment and more, it is essential to hire personnel that embodies the “care” in healthcare. Be sure to test a candidate’s bedside manner and capacity to engage with others. Doing so will ensure a staff that is not only technically savvy but emotionally intelligent to handle delicate situations.