How can software help Ambulance providers with recruitment, retention and compliance?
There’s no denying that the healthcare sector has faced one of its biggest challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, however, one sector which receives less attention from the media - despite also facing unprecedented pressures - is the ambulance service and providers.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the ambulance service has been significantly impacted by the massive increase in demand for healthcare services; increased call-outs; reduced capacity in emergency departments; COVID testing of new admissions and the need for enhanced cleaning between patients. It’s also worth noting that call handlers are also experiencing stressful working conditions, which is leading to high turnover and a continuing need to recruit and onboard new staff.
All of these factors have contributed to lengthy handover delays, resulting in significantly longer waits for patients in the community.
At one point earlier this year, 12% of staff in the Welsh ambulance service (over 400 people) were either symptomatic, or self-isolating. This staffing crisis saw soldiers and fire service staff drafted in to drive ambulances for the second time since the beginning of the pandemic.
Now, more than ever, it’s essential that ambulance services are given the necessary support to recruit and on-board new staff as quickly as possible, relieve pressure on the existing workforce and ensure that the ongoing demands of the pandemic can be met.
Recruit the right staff, with the right skills, right away
Innovative tech is for the now, not just the future. Having one onboarding and compliance software platform is now a reality, enabling you to improve and streamline your healthcare hiring processes.
Through introducing onboarding software to your organisation, you'll be able to:
- Easily sign-up new applicants, including mobile-enabled remote functionality and the ability to embed a link to an application on your website/social media job posts
- Seamlessly integrate with leading databases to speed up pre-employment checks including DBS update, GMC, HCPC, NMC and Right to Work
- Simplify processes for applicants to book interviews, with links to shared online calendars
- Automated referencing requests and approvals
Implementing recruitment software shouldn’t be a complete overhaul of your hiring and HR processes; it should support your organisation and make the hiring process easier for you and the candidate. Software should enable you to pool applicants according to essential criteria, and include notes on rejected candidates and detail why they were not shortlisted - which can be useful when it comes to future hiring.
Attracting the best talent
Let's face it, there will always be drop-out rates when recruiting, but is this down to the individual, or are the steps they have to take too long and complicated?
With the right hiring software, ambulance providers can simplify and automate the process for candidates; helping to attract the best talent, whilst improving engagement, leading to a reduced drop-out rate.
Providing candidates with the ability to digitally sign documents, upload references and certificates into one system and receive SMS and email reminders each step of the way is a must. It will give them a positive and professional experience with your business, which will also help attract the best talent.
Compliance just got a whole lot easier
Of course, with digitising your recruitment processes, the issues around security and compliance comes to the fore.
Navigating GDPR and data protection legislation, plus record-keeping and ensuring your compliance is current can only be improved with real-time hiring software. Having a system that continually checks the professional registration status of employees means patient safety and clinical governance management are achievable - not to mention meeting your legal obligations.
Keeping a close eye on the data that matters most can also help boost your Care Quality Commission compliance rating.
Patient transport services and Credentially
We’ve partnered with several patient transport services including Medisec, Medi4, Polaris and Rapid Response. Since implementing the Credentially software, they have reported numerous benefits including:
✔️ Improved inspection reports from regulatory bodies including the CQC
✔️ A competitive edge when tendering for NHS contracts against other transport services
✔️ A faster, more streamlined hiring process with fewer failed sign-ups
✔️ Improved patient safety as a result of automating checks during the onboarding process
If you want to make a real impact on vacancy rates and ensure posts are filled quickly - with the best possible candidates, then Credentially can help.
Find out more about the Credentially software features or Book a Demo today.
Find out how Urgent Care provider HUC has drastically reduced time to hire down to as little as three days by automating credentialing and onboarding processes.
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