Summary of BLS August Healthcare Numbers
After a promising July for American employment, the August BLS report was discouraging, showing slow overall job growth. The healthcare industry saw a net loss of about 5,000 jobs. Skilled nursing facilities and home health care experienced the largest decline, while hospitals continued to gain positions.
Healthcare Employment at a Glance
Although healthcare experienced net job losses in August, hospitals did gain 3,200 new jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other professions that gained roles included physicians’ offices (2,400), outpatient care centers (2,300), dentists’ offices (2,000), other health care offices (2,500), and medical and diagnostic labs (1,600).
Home health care, meanwhile, experienced the most extreme job loss in the healthcare industry, with about 11,600 positions lost. Skilled nursing facilities also had a difficult month, losing around 6,900 jobs. Ambulatory care lost 1,600 positions.
What Healthcare Organizations Should Prioritize in the Coming Months
Although the August BLS numbers might be disappointing, recruiting experts like ZipRecruiter’s Julia Pollak are still optimistic about American employment recovery. To keep up with staffing in such a competitive industry, healthcare organizations should look for ways to demonstrate the differentiating factors that make them great employers.
Show Off Your Benefits
Compete for top talent by being loud and proud about the benefits you offer employees. Include wages and benefits information when you craft job descriptions, so your applicants understand exactly what they’re applying for. You can also include less conventional benefits, like flexibility, shift bidding, and wellness offerings.
Highlight Diversity During Recruitment
Go beyond an equal opportunity employer statement. Show prospective candidates that you don’t only care about attracting diverse employees—you’re also committed to making your organization a place where these candidates can grow and will want to stay. During recruitment, let candidates know if you offer mentorship programs or host affinity groups. Be transparent about your efforts to prioritize inclusion, and you’ll see more interest from wider groups of applicants.
Connect With Passive Candidates
There just aren’t enough active candidates to fill every opening in healthcare today. Recruit through the talent shortage by targeting passive candidates who might not be looking for jobs in the industry. You can do this by advertising your openings on a diverse selection of job boards, recruiting through social media, and making it clear if your positions are open to candidates working in healthcare for the first time.
Apploi brings the healthcare HR process online, from recruitment to staff documentation management. Interested in learning more? Contact us today for a free demo of our end-to-end solution.
