The most effective clinical workforce staffing strategies anticipate and adapt to unexpected workforce challenges. Surges in patient volumes and provider turnover can be difficult to predict; however, having a well-structured staffing contingency plan ensures continuity, keeping clinical teams supported and coverage gaps minimized. 

Ensuring Workforce Stability with a Staffing Contingency Plan 

A staffing contingency plan helps ensure workforce stability even if unexpected staffing shortages occur. Rather than reacting to provider vacancies, a contingency plan establishes a proactive framework for securing temporary or alternative staffing solutions, preventing disruptions before they impact operations. 

Having a proactive staffing plan in place allows healthcare organizations to maintain stability by: 

  • Ensuring Reliable Staffing: Keeping hospitals and healthcare facilities fully staffed to prevent service disruptions and maintain quality care. 
  • Supporting Clinical Teams: Supplementing coverage to ease workloads, reduce burnout, and provide relief for permanent staff. 
  • Maintaining Uninterrupted Patient Care: Preventing coverage gaps to ensure consistent access to high-quality care. 

How a Staffing Contingency Plan Helped Expand Surgical Services 

During Becker's CEO + CFO Roundtable, Medicus hosted a panel discussion on clinical workforce stabilization featuring four notable healthcare leaders. One of the panelists, Chuck Sherwin, President of MyMichigan Medical Center, shared how partnering with Medicus helped to develop a staffing contingency plan that ended up doubling the hospital's cardiac surgical volumes. 

For years, the hospital's cardiac program had been struggling to operate at its full potential. Sherwin aimed to double cardiac surgery volumes and strengthen the partnership between anesthesia and cardiovascular surgery. However, while the hospital's anesthesia group had been well-regarded, its existing contract presented limitations in cardiac care, making it difficult to achieve the hospital's long-term goals. 

With this in mind, Sherwin outlined a strategic approach: negotiate with the current outsourced anesthesia group while simultaneously working with Medicus to build a staffing contingency plan. Sherwin recalled his conversations with Medicus, saying: 

"I had many meetings with Medicus leadership saying, 'Can you really do this?' The timeframe to me seemed tight. They had the ability to build it out quickly, which gave me the confidence to leverage the contract with the current providers. The other piece to it is Medicus was willing and understood that at any moment, I could call them and say, 'I don't need you anymore.". 

When negotiations with the existing anesthesia group did not lead to a continued partnership, Medicus' contingency plan was already in place. As a result, the hospital launched a fully staffed anesthesia program on day one. Sherwin saw the impact right away, noting: 

"We've done more cardiac surgery in the last month than we have in the last two years. We have not seen any decrease in surgical volumes.". 

Sherwin's experience highlights how a well-planned staffing contingency strategy can do more than prevent workforce disruptions; it can drive growth. By leveraging the Medicus Transition Program, MyMichigan Medical Center successfully transitioned anesthesia services without disruption, increasing surgical volumes and improving access to patient care. 

Strengthening Workforce Stability with an Interim Staffing Partner 

Chuck Sherwin's experience demonstrates how a well-structured staffing contingency plan, supported by a trusted interim healthcare staffing partner, can provide the stability needed to navigate workforce disruptions and ensure uninterrupted care. Reflecting on the importance of preparation, he shared: 

"Be open to different opportunities. Have a backup plan. For me, Medicus has been that backup plan. Don't get yourself into a situation where the contract is going to expire, and you don't have a plan in place.". 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to staffing contingency plans; each healthcare organization has unique needs that require tailored staffing solutions. Partnering with a reputable interim healthcare staffing agency like Medicus provides customized locum tenens staffing solutions designed to maintain operations during periods of workforce instability. 

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