How Using Data and Locum Tenens Can Improve Staffing Efficiency
Healthcare administrators and recruiters are facing a persistent challenge of balancing patient care standards with operational efficiency. Whether they are managing a bustling urban hospital, a rural clinic, or an outpatient center, there is constant pressure to maintain consistent coverage and protect revenue.
Staffing is at the heart of this issue. When gaps in coverage occur due to seasonal surges, provider burnout, or unexpected absences, facilities risk more than just inconvenience. They risk patient outcomes, staff morale, and financial stability. But what if we approach staffing not just reactively, but strategically?
From Gut Feeling to Data-Driven Decisions in Healthcare
By analyzing both historical and real-time metrics, healthcare facilities can move from reactively filling gaps to a proactive workforce plan. Historical data, such as patient volume, seasonal fluctuations, and past shift coverage issues, provides a foundation for understanding patterns. Real-time data, including census counts, overtime rates, and clinician availability, can offer a dynamic view of your current needs.
Together, these insights allow you to forecast demand and align staffing needs.
Key data types for staffing decisions.
Data type:
Patient volume history
How it can be used:
Forecast seasonal demand patterns.
Benefits:
May prevent understaffing during peak periods.
Real-time census
Adjust staffing levels based on current patient volume.
Improves your ability to respond to patient needs.
Overtime rates
Identify overworked departments or individuals.
Reduces burnout and staff turnover.
Shift coverage gaps
Pinpoint recurring gaps in staffing.
Enables targeted intervention.
Provider availability
Track who is credentialed and when they are available to work.
Speeds up placement and onboarding.
Seasonal trends
Plan for flu season, holidays, or regional events.
Helps maintain continuity of care.
Credentialing timeliness
Monitor delays in onboarding.
May streamline hiring and reduce time-to-fill.
Data type: Patient volume history
How it can be used: Forecast seasonal demand patterns.
Benefits: May prevent understaffing during peak periods.
Data type: Real-time census
How it can be used: Adjust staffing levels based on current patient volume.
Benefits: Improves your ability to respond to patient needs.
Data type: Overtime rates
How it can be used: Identify overworked departments or individuals.
Benefits: Reduces burnout and staff turnover.
Data type: Shift coverage gaps
How it can be used: Pinpoint recurring gaps in staffing.
Benefits: Enables targeted intervention.
Data type: Provider availability
How it can be used: Track who is credentialed and when they are available to work.
Benefits: Speeds up placement and onboarding.
Data type: Seasonal trends
How it can be used: Plan for flu season, holidays, and regional events.
Benefits: Helps maintain continuity of care.
Data type: Credentialing timelines
How it can be used: Monitor delays in onboarding.
Benefits: May streamline hiring and reduce time-to-fill.
Locum Tenens as a Strategic Lever
Locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners are often viewed as an emergency fill-in, but they can be more impactful. When integrated into a predictive staffing model, locums can offer flexibility, continuity, and overall resilience.
Our team takes a consultative approach that makes sure that the locum tenens providers are not just available. We strive to present candidates who align with your facility’s goals, culture, and meet your patient care needs. From rural hospitals needing specialists to large systems managing massive seasonal spikes, locums can be the difference between a scheduling scramble and strategic readiness.
Read more about proactive locums staffing.
A Mindset Shift for Healthcare Leaders
To truly benefit from data-driven staffing, healthcare leaders must shift their mindset. Locum tenens should not be seen as a last resort stop-gap, but as a long-term strategic asset. This means:
- Building locum coverage into annual workforce plans.
- Using data to anticipate needs months in advance.
- Partnering with staffing experts who understand your facility’s unique rhythms.
Healthcare facilities that choose to embrace this approach report not only smoother operations but improved provider satisfaction and patient outcomes.
Partnering with Jackson and Coker for Data-Driven Staffing Success
Our team stands apart with our relationship-driven service and deep industry expertise. We don’t just fill roles. We build partnerships through:
- Personalized approach: We take time to understand your facility’s goals before we present candidates.
- Comprehensive verification: Our credentialing experts help expedite the process while maintaining compliance with industry standards.
- Large network of providers: Our pool of candidates means quicker placements without sacrificing fit or skipping steps.
- Transparency: From rates to timelines, we keep you informed at every step.
Whether you are facing a staffing crisis or planning for the future, we are here to help you build a resilient and efficient workforce strategy.
