Industry Threats to Staff Retention and How to Overcome Them

Home health and hospice agencies report workforce attrition as a primary concern they face in running their organization. Over the last few years, a surge in turnover has had a tremendous impact on agencies’ ability to provide quality care to their patients, and there are a number of factors that influence the rising number of employees who leave their employer. Following we will discuss industry threats that agencies face in maintaining high rates of retention and discuss tips to mitigate the risk of losing qualified staff.

Higher Demand for Qualified Caregivers

The healthcare industry as a whole has increased in size, and the demand for qualified caregivers and physicians has increased dramatically in recent years. The tight labor market is one of many reasons that agencies are experiencing difficulty finding and retaining qualified caregivers. It is more important than ever for agencies to invest in their staff and incentivize them to stay. With so many additional opportunities for staff at other agencies, agencies can set themselves apart by offering competitive compensation packages and benefits, as well as providing strong leadership and great communication.

Agencies Lose Caregivers to Other Agencies and Even Other Industries

While caregivers are often lured to other agencies that have better incentives or programs to entice them, there are a growing number of people leaving the healthcare industry entirely for jobs in other sectors. This has been a particular issue since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, as some caregivers were not interested in remaining in the industry due to the dangers posed as well as other factors, such as potential vaccine mandates. In order to keep staff members interested in staying in the healthcare industry, it is vital to make sure that they feel truly valued in their role by taking into account all the tools that they need for career success. Outfitting staff with the technology, equipment, training, and tools they need is essential to maintaining a good work environment that keeps them engaged.

Incentives and Strong Leadership Help Retain Qualified Caregivers

As discussed earlier, home health and hospice agencies are tasked with a growing need to retain and attract good staff members that provide great care and are reliable. Providing strong, respectful leadership is key to retaining good staff. Employees want to feel not only heard but also valued and appreciated for their role within the organization. The basis of good leadership is strong communication that makes the staff members feel as though they matter.

By taking these steps, you can make a significant difference in your home health or hospice agency’s ability to retain qualified staff. In the next section, we will explore other perks and incentives that make a difference to employees and go into more depth about how your agency can adopt them.