Originally Post In: The Staffing Stream

“Vital” and “critical”  are often used to describe software systems that keep business systems functioning, i.e., security must be installed to protect vital business information. These words get the point across and have an even higher meaning when applied to healthcare systems – the maintenance of which is critical to maintaining vital functions for sustaining human life. And just as with software, when a healthcare system suffers an emergency interruption, it is also “vital” to have the proper staff ready to go in “critical” situations.

During crises, when healthcare organizations face threats of strain or stoppage, staffing agencies’ role becomes important and paramount. These agencies are not just a backup plan but a crucial part of maintaining operational readiness. They must be adaptable and quick to respond, ready and capable of adapting to changing needs, displaying inventiveness, and excelling at problem-solving to ensure reliable preparedness. Their presence should reassure you about the system’s resilience even in the most challenging situations. 

The staffing agency’s expertise extends to compliance with certifications, offering specialized healthcare services that meet critical needs, licensing, providing security, collaboration, and staying updated with health-related innovations. An expansion of these critical areas finds:

Compliance—An agency’s healthcare staffers must comply with certifications outlined by an accredited organization such as the Joint Commission for Healthcare Staffing Services. This is crucial as it ensures that all personnel meet clinical standards and that their qualifications, professional behavior, and personnel files are up to date, covering licensing, health documents, background checks, and drug screenings.

Inventiveness—Agencies must be able to meet specific needs and excel in problem-solving to ensure patient care is well maintained. For instance, they might need to quickly recruit additional nursing personnel (RN, LPN, CNA, etc.) during a flu outbreak or provide security staff (Strikeline & Video Documentation, Property Protection, Secured Transportation of Personnel, etc.) during a labor strike.

Licensing—Agencies need to leverage only professionals who comply with industry standards for services, such as Respiratory Therapists, Surgical Technicians, Lab Technicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Radiology Technicians, Speech-Language Pathologists, Phlebotomists, Clinical Supervisors, Social Workers, and Registered Dieticians.

Security—Agencies must offer highly trained personnel who provide security for picketers and staff, video documentation, de-escalation techniques training, and the latest in robotic surveillance. These professional services augment any full-time security team tasks so that they can maintain core services.

Collaboration—Agencies must collaborate with organizations on pre- and post-event planning and tabletop exercises. This could involve participating in mock drills to test the effectiveness of emergency response plans or providing input on staffing strategies during peak demand periods. Such collaboration helps to identify possible procedure lapses that may interrupt healthcare services and ensures that the agency’s services are aligned with the organization’s needs. 

Technology—Agencies must constantly evolve to keep pace with the latest innovations, adapting and leveraging new automated and robotic surveillance techniques. Events such as strikes and other crises require technology to provide speedy and resilient staffing solutions, emphasizing the need for swift engagement and readiness.  

Most importantly, the agency must recognize that planning enables the desired outcome.

Conclusion

A valuable staffing agency goes beyond filling vacancies. It plays a vital role in society, especially during emergencies when critical services are stressed. It offers the most qualified personnel, provides strategic insights, and delivers best practices. For ultimate efficiency, it is proactive and able to identify problems before they happen, thereby enhancing its value and efficiency. This expertise and adaptability should instill confidence in their capabilities. 

Finally, the unified approach of contingency planning and ethical considerations must be proactive for staffing agency collaboration to be successful, leading both parties to take shared responsibility. This proactive stance ensures that problems are identified and addressed before they escalate, making you feel secure and prepared. Efficiently running healthcare systems is too critical to leave the unexpected unattended.