The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its 2016-26 Employment Projections Report, listing the Top 10 fastest-growing occupations over the next decade. Making the list are Home Health Aides (+46.7%), Personal Care Aides (+37.4%) and Nurse Practitioners (+36%), with their expected growth being attributed to an aging Baby Boomer population and their increasing need for the types of care these positions provide.
As employment within the healthcare industry continues to grow, it will become vital for employers to review and improve their current hiring process — both for themselves and for the talent they are hoping to attract. Here are three tips to being successful in those efforts.
1. Optimize Wherever Possible
Hiring is a never-ending battle. Managing open positions, job boards, social media, the constant stream of candidates, interviews, offers and onboarding can be an extremely time-consuming and costly endeavor. An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can help streamline the staffing process and not only save time and money, but lead to higher-quality hires and less turnover.
2. Take Advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit rewards companies that hire individuals from certain target groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. The percentage of WOTC-eligible candidates in healthcare is significant, and tax credits can be as high as $9,600 for EACH eligible new employee. Look for an Applicant Tracking System that can help identify WOTC eligibility early in the candidate process, allowing you to factor it into your hiring decisions.
3. Verify Credentials
The long-term care industry is unique in that its professionals are entrusted to keep residents safe, happy, and healthy throughout their stay. This trust is earned and critical to maintain. The news of imposters posing as nurses should be a wake-up call, reminding us that proper vetting — including E-Verify and background checks when appropriate — is a must. Look for an ATS that automates these vetting procedures, ensuring an efficient and repeatable process for protecting that hard-earned trust.
Long-term care facilities that are successful at improving their hiring process will be better positioned to benefit from the significant job growth expected over the next 10 years, and beyond.
See how SmartLinx can help you make the most out of your hiring process.
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