Staying ahead in the healthcare talent race | Viewpoint

We have seen how healthcare organizations are embracing the use of online portals and resources to make accessing care more convenient and efficient.

Through use of digital front doors for recruiting with AI, hospitals can match job seekers with personalized job recommendations based on their skills, Bruce Springer writes.

Often referred to as "digital front doors," these digital gateways successfully streamline patient care activities ranging from appointment scheduling to medical record access to telehealth visits.

If use of digital advancements results in positive advantages for patients, why not leverage them to enhance talent recruitment efforts.

Personalized job seeker experience

Have you ever experienced applying for a job at your own hospital?

A recent report on workforce trends indicated that 52% of respondents said they would decline a job offer if they had a negative experience during recruitment. When a qualified job candidate has a negative hiring experience, valuable time and resources are wasted if they abandon the application and move on to other opportunities.

Therefore, it is important that everyone involved in the hiring process evaluate the job candidate experience first-hand and identify opportunities to improve and better engage with job applicants.

Through use of digital front doors for recruiting with AI and machine learning capabilities, hospitals can match job seekers with personalized job recommendations based on their skills, experience, and preferences.

Use of AI matching ensures the screening process for both job candidates and hiring managers is more accurate and streamlined so that more time is spent connecting immediately with the best available talent. This approach ensures that candidates feel valued and understood from the very first interaction, while guiding them to roles that are a more precise fit.

A recruitment platform capable of identifying a candidate's strengths, and recommending tailored job opportunities, positions hospitals as innovative employers committed to investing in their workforce. A positive recruitment experience can help set the stage for a positive employment experience and ensure employee satisfaction and retention.

A competitive edge

First impressions matter. Just like a positive patient experience can lead to increased loyalty and referrals, an intuitive digital front door can be key to attracting top talent.

To stand out as an employer of choice, healthcare organizations must provide a recruitment experience that offers job seekers the same level of convenience and engagement given to patients. A well-implemented digital front door strategy with easy navigation, clear job descriptions, and a streamlined application process can optimize user interaction, deliver a more personalized experience, and give job seekers the self-service aspects they have come to expect.

With ongoing demand for healthcare talent across various specialties and geographic regions, providing a smooth, engaging, and informative hiring process can give organizations a substantial competitive edge.

Strong employer brand

A hospital’s positive reputation can be a deciding factor for job seekers. Digital front doors can help build and strengthen an employer’s brand and provide an opportunity to showcase what makes a hospital a great place to work.

Just as we use digital platforms to highlight a hospital's quality care and unique services, we should use recruitment-focused digital front doors to promote what sets hospitals apart as employers. Sharing testimonials from current staff, profiling employee benefits, and providing insight into the hospital’s mission and values can attract sought after professionals.

Online community and support network

Hospitals and health systems can utilize digital front door platforms to develop a community and support system for job prospects. Offering access to virtual events like webinars, workshops, and career fairs promotes a sense of community.

AI-powered tools within digital front doors allow hospitals to tailor communications to meet the unique needs of job prospects. Customized messages, job alerts, and follow-ups after events or applications keep candidates informed and engaged, building a sense of belonging.

Future outlook

The effectiveness of patient-focused digital front doors highlights the importance of prioritizing user satisfaction and AI-powered digital tools. It is time to apply these same principles to recruitment strategies by investing in digital solutions that provide a competitive advantage, attract top talent, and allow healthcare organizations to build a future-ready workforce.

Bruce Springer is CEO of Prolucent, Inc., a healthcare workforce optimization company based in Dallas