Outsourcing— When is it Right for You?
Covid brought about many changes in the workplace, particularly in healthcare. As we emerge from the almost two-year-long struggle, a significant change is managing a remote workforce.
Companies sometimes also deal with staffing shortages because long-term employees have opted for retirement.
Although many organizations could cope with staffing shortages, the employee exodus left some with an information vacuum. In many of these cases, the employees who left had not cross-trained fellow staff members on the intricacies of their jobs. This information void is notably present in healthcare, where companies filled many with employees who transferred from other departments.
Therein lies the dilemma – a job must be done, but if qualified employees are not available to hire locally, a possible solution may be to explore outsourcing. Outsourcing can range from covering individual jobs/positions within an organization to managing an entire department.
Every department plays a role in the organization’s overall success, and each department and job within that department has key daily responsibilities. When someone leaves or is out for an extended period, someone else must take on those duties and their own. In some cases, this situation becomes a constant struggle to ensure jobs are getting done and puts the organization at risk of other employees leaving.
Decision-Making Hurdles
The decision to outsource jobs can be challenging, especially when a company has never before done so.
Some managers feel they should not allow “outside” people into their facility to safeguard their employees’ jobs.
Another detail that may hinder the decision to outsource is the desire to avoid giving the impression that a hospital cannot take care of its operations.
These are both genuine objections to outsourcing. However, evidence strongly suggests that outsourcing can benefit healthcare facilities if handled correctly with a structured approach.
Should I Outsource?
There are three areas to consider to decide if outsourcing is right for your organization.
First, consider job functions, responsibilities, and the measure of efficiency when performed in-house.
Second, get a pulse on prospects for open positions. Do you have an adequate pool of applicants to replace employees that have left or are leaving to ensure long-term success?
Finally, will outsourcing be a fit for your organization’s culture?
With all of that being said, you must determine if your organization is ready to outsource. In many cases, ensuring success will require a significant commitment from management.
It is important to note that the most crucial part of outsourcing is developing a solid relationship with your partner organization so that mutual trust is always at the forefront. Without that trust bond, the outsourcing partnership will be difficult and less successful.
Complementing, Not Replacing
When an organization loses employees, especially in healthcare, many of the skills needed to hire qualified applicants are specialized or learned skills. During these times, replacing clinical staff can be challenging. However, finding qualified administrative and professional staff can be just as tricky. The limited number of applicants in smaller, rural communities amplifies the challenge.
If an organization struggles to accomplish its responsibilities due to staffing shortages and too few qualified applicants to fill vacant positions, it may be time to explore outsourcing. Outsourcing jobs can very easily be confused with “replacing” staff.
However, outsourcing is a way to “complement” those positions that an organization may have difficulty filling.
Outsourcing can be very beneficial to an organization, as it can provide a different viewpoint on processes that may have become redundant and complacent over time. For example, it can bring a fresh set of eyes to the position and help things move more efficiently.
Also, with an outsourcing partner who directs a high level of talent at a primary area of focus, tremendous improvements can come about in both efficiencies and results.
The Future of Healthcare
One study projects the healthcare outsourcing market to reach $312 billion by 2025. This forecast proves that outsourcing isn’t going away just because the pandemic is over. Outsourcing is the new, more efficient way to conduct business, improve processes, and ensure success. Now is the time to recognize a need within your organization, find the right outsourcing partner, and build that partnership for moving forward.
Written By: Phillip Thomas, MA, SHRM-SCP
LinkedIn: Phillip Thomas
