Recruiting PT Staff Post-Pandemic

There’s no question that many industries continue to feel the impact of the changes that happened due to the pandemic. The resulting labor shortage has made it challenging to keep employees in the workplace, which has a trickle-down effect on the healthcare industry overall.

Overview of the PT Industry Labor Shortages

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the anticipated change in employment within physical therapy will be growing by as much as 17% between 2021 and 2031. This change is much faster than average, making it harder and harder to keep PT staff on the payroll.

Why are physical therapists leaving their jobs? The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of fear and stress in the healthcare industry, which has resulted in an increase in mental health concerns for healthcare professionals. As a result, some people are choosing to leave the industry. At the same time, physical therapists are experiencing burnout because of hours that are constantly changing and long work hours.

Tips for Recruiting and Keeping Physical Therapists

What is your clinic doing to bring good talent and keep them in your workplace? Here are a few strategies that can help with your recruiting and retention efforts:

• New Hire and Employee Incentives: Look for ways to motivate people to work with you and keep them in your clinic. Common incentives might include tuition assistance, higher salaries, access to childcare, continuing education opportunities, and flexible work hours.
• Variety in the Workplace: Instead of driving your staff members into burnout, find ways that you can switch things up and alleviate the stress they are experiencing. One example is to do position and scheduling rotations to free up time for staff members. Also, cancel non-essential meetings and appointments to minimize the administrative work that needs to be managed.
• Consider Alternative Staffing: There are alternatives to hiring full-time staff members. For example, you might choose to bring on an individual who is a contracted physical therapist, which will get you help quickly without going through the hiring process. These contractors often have more flexibility, which means you can optimize the timelines for patients to visit with a specialist. Keep in mind that alternative staffing is a temporary fix, but it doesn’t offer long-term solutions.

–Written by Becki Andrus in partnership with steel corner guard manufacturers, CAP Corner Guards.

Burger Physical Therapy can help you recover through physical, occupational and speech therapy. Make an appointment today!