Flexibility Matters: Strategies for SNFs to Develop the Optimal Workforce

Employees across various industries have voiced a clear demand: they seek flexibility and autonomy in their schedules. This preference has prompted many skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to reconsider their staffing approaches, questioning whether adapting to accommodate these desires is worthwhile.

SNFs that develop strategies to incorporate flexible staffing and implement technology to streamline operations often find the effort rewarding. 

Here are the top four advantages of embracing technology and optimizing a flexible workforce model for skilled nursing facilities.

Fully manned shifts

When staff members call out, SNFs face a rush. These unexpected cancellations prompt a flurry of calls and texts to individual caregivers and nurses in an effort to fill the vacant shift. However, the capacity for one person to reach out is limited.

Given the personal and professional schedules of caregivers and nurses, and the brief window between the call-out and the shift, SNF operators frequently find it difficult to contact enough people to secure a replacement on short notice.

Using technology, SNFs can efficiently announce an open shift to all relevant talent pools with just a few clicks. The software can instantly notify full-time staff, agencies, or internal float pools.

The outcome? A broader group of caregivers and nurses notified about the open shift with reduced effort, leading to more shifts being filled.

Skilled caregivers

The reality is that not all caregivers and nurses provide the same level of care to their patients and residents. Unfortunately, SNFs often lack visibility into which flexible staff members consistently deliver excellent care and which do not. It's impractical for any individual to recall every staff member who has worked at their facility and assess their performance accurately.

This underscores the necessity for SNFs to have a dependable system that records previous shifts, enables staff evaluations, and is readily accessible. A user-friendly staffing software platform such as Kevala, providing comprehensive staff details for each shift, is invaluable for maintaining smooth SNF operations with top-tier talent.

Saving time

In the workplace, saving time is highly valued when it comes to technology. Forward-thinking organizations that embrace new technology are already reaping its benefits. Automated workflows, real-time information dashboards, and centralized data can significantly reduce daily administrative tasks for multiple staff members, saving hours each day.

Cost saving

Skilled nursing facilities face the distinct challenge of fluctuating census numbers. With occupancy typically around 50% and many patients staying for short periods, the number of beds requiring care can change suddenly and frequently. A flexible workforce, accessible at the click of a button, enables facilities to operate without the high expenses associated with full-time employees.

In an era where staffing variables are numerous and often beyond an SNF’s influence, operators should capitalize on these opportunities to enact positive transformations in their facilities. By leveraging a flexible workforce and embracing innovative technologies, SNFs can maintain fully staffed shifts and deliver optimal care to patients and residents.