As healthcare demands fluctuate, many organizations are increasingly relying on contingent workers to fill staffing gaps quickly. However, the real success of a flexible workforce lies not just in finding skilled professionals, but in how well they’re integrated into your existing team.
When integrated effectively, contingent workers do more than just cover shifts. They can enhance team collaboration, improve patient care, and significantly boost operational efficiency. At Valor Talent, we’ve seen healthcare providers reduce last-minute shift gaps by up to 96% and cut labor costs by 16% simply by rethinking their staffing strategies and ensuring smooth integration of contingent clinicians.
From working with healthcare facilities nationwide, we’ve learned that the most successful organizations treat contingent workers as valued members of their care teams, not temporary outsiders. Below are proven strategies to make that happen.
1. Standardize Onboarding and Orientation
A strong first impression is essential. By standardizing your onboarding processes, you empower contingent workers to start confidently from day one. Provide clarity on:
- Facility layout and safety procedures
- Use of EMR and internal communication systems
- Clinical expectations and care protocols
Many valor talent partners have success using digital resources and quick-reference guides that clinicians can review before their shifts. This enables faster ramp-up times and minimizes disruptions.
Additionally, building a pool of familiar contingent clinicians reduces the need for retraining. It also allows healthcare organizations to expand beyond traditional travel contracts and start leveraging contingent talent for per diem coverage, creating a more responsive, agile workforce.
2. Foster Real-Time Communication
Seamless communication is vital when combining full-time and contingent staff. Implement centralized communication tools like:
- Secure team messaging platforms
- Shared shift boards and patient updates
- Real-time notification systems
These tools ensure all team members are aligned on patient care plans and can easily access updates, delegate tasks, and provide feedback. Facilities that prioritize structured communication experience smoother collaboration, even during peak demand.
3. Assign a Designated Point of Contact
Designating a single team member to support contingent staff is a game-changer. This person can:
- Answer real-time questions
- Help with navigating hospital protocols
- Provide immediate feedback and support
This strategy helps contingent workers feel supported and helps maintain workflow consistency across the team.
4. Align and Automate Scheduling
Contingent staff should be seamlessly integrated into your broader scheduling strategy. Connecting them to your core scheduling system ensures:
- Real-time visibility of staffing gaps
- Faster fulfillment of shift requests
- Reduced risk of scheduling conflicts or errors
Healthcare partners using Valor Talent Report are reducing the time to fill open shifts from hours to minutes through centralized, transparent scheduling systems.
Automation not only speeds up scheduling, it reduces administrative burden and increases accuracy, allowing leadership to make data-driven staffing decisions.
5. Gather Feedback and Continuously Improve
Great integration requires consistent refinement. Gathering feedback from full-time staff and contingent workers can reveal areas for improvement and foster a culture of collaboration.
We recommend embedding feedback loops into your daily workflows through:
- Quick post-shift surveys
- Routine debriefs with staff
- Anonymous suggestion forms
The data collected helps organizations understand what’s working and where adjustments are needed to maintain team harmony and optimize care delivery.
Inclusion Drives Operational Efficiency
Contingent healthcare workers play a critical role in supporting care delivery during times of high demand. When integrated thoughtfully, they:
- Enhance team agility
- Improve care continuity
- Reduce burnout among full-time staff
- Deliver better patient outcomes
One healthcare leader shared:
“What stood out to me was how quickly Valor talent professionals adapted. They came in ready to work, highly skilled, and felt like part of our team immediately. Now, we rely on them regularly.”
— Angela Benoit, Chief Nursing Officer, Townsen Memorial Hospital
Build a Reliable Clinical Talent Pool with Valor talent
At Valor Talent, we make it easy to establish a pool of trusted professionals you can rely on, whether for daily coverage or extended contracts. Our platform empowers healthcare teams to:
- Onboard contingent clinicians with ease
- Access flexible scheduling and shift fulfillment tools
- Maintain a high-quality, credentialed talent network
- Monitor performance and ensure alignment with care standards
With Valor Talent, healthcare organizations can confidently integrate contingent staff into their teams and keep workflows running smoothly, even during the most challenging staffing situations.
Schedule a personalized demo today and learn how Valor Talent can help your team maximize efficiency, reduce labor costs, and deliver exceptional care, all while seamlessly integrating contingent workers into your existing workforce.
