Category Archives: Resources For Clients

How Healthcare Professionals Can Prepare For Flu Season

Posted on by

If you occupy a role in the healthcare field, chances are your employer requires you to get a flu shot each year. While flu vaccinations are highly effective for most, it may not be enough on its own for healthcare professionals who are exposed to the virus regularly throughout the season.

Here are just a few ways you can help protect yourself from getting sick:

  • Be kind to your body

    Modern medicine can only do so much; you need to fuel your body with the things it needs to help keep itself healthy as well. Junk food might help you get through a tough shift, but eating well and taking in plenty of fruits and vegetables gives your body the vitamins and minerals to fight off sickness during flu season. Be sure to stay hydrated as well.

  • Sleep enough

    Flu season falls during a time of year when many are busy with holiday activity on top of usual work and social requirements. This takes a toll on the body, so make sure to sleep plenty.

  • Take notes from travelers

    Avid travelers swear by immune-boosters and vitamins like Airborne, Zicam, or Emergen-C. Airports and airplanes have proven to be some of the most germ-ridden places anywhere, so adopting these techniques can help you keep sickness at bay as well.

  • Pay attention to your body

    The first signs that sickness is coming are often subtle. If you notice yourself feeling a little achy or your nose is starting to run, make taking care of yourself top priority. Take vitamins, rest, drunk fluids, and use hand sanitizer often. Being proactive can be enough to stop the flu before it has a chance to even start.

  • Clean is key

    You might go to great lengths to keep yourself clean, but what about the things you touch every day? Things like your cell phone, car keys, wallet, or purse touch countless surfaces each day, so they need to be kept sanitized as well.

HealthCare Support is focused on providing our partners and colleagues with exceptional service while exceeding their expectations. For information regarding the recruiting and hiring services we offer, please contact us today by calling 1-407-478-0332.

Economic News Release: Employment Situation Summary

Posted on by

October 2018

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate of 3.7% remained unchanged in the month of October. Hurricane Michael had made “no discernible effect on the national employment and unemployment estimates.” The unemployment rates showed little or no change for the major work groups: adult men (3.5%), adult women (3.4%), teenagers (11.9%), Whites (3.3%), Blacks (6.2%), Asians (3.2%), and Hispanics (4.4%).  However, job gains did occur in manufacturing, construction, transportation, warehousing, and health care.

The average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 5 cents to $27.50 for the month of October and it rose by 83 cents for the past year. In October, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls went up by 0.1 hour to 34.5 hours.

There were 36,000 added Health Care jobs including 13,000 in hospitals and 8,000 in nursing and residential care facilities. In ambulatory health care services went up by 14,000. The employment grew by 323,000 over the past twelve months.

Over the past three months, job gains have averaged 218,000.

Sarah Krufka

HSS Social Media Specialist

Millennials are Transforming the System

Posted on by

Take a look around your office. How many people are millennials? How many are living up to the millennial stereotype that people go on and on about?

In just a few years, the majority of the workforce will be millennials. Some say millennials are going to doom us all. Some say they’re going to kill the economy. The common stereotypes include being stubborn, spoiled brats that don’t work hard, are lazy, and are obsessed with their smart phones. However, I’ll tell you why they’re going to revitalize the workplace.

Slowly but surely, millennials are already making an impact by changing everyday work life. Generally, it’s hard to have a work-life balance, especially in the healthcare industry. A lot of healthcare professional work jobs that require them to work long hours, but this is changing thanks to millennials. One of the most important thing to millennials, is a work-life balance. William Hartenbach, M.D., executive vice president of anesthesia services for physician staffing firm EmCare, let his employees have more PTO and vacation time because “it’s increasingly important to make sure that you don’t get burned out. It’s a long career and it’s fairly intense and the stakes are high.”

Managers are also allowing employees to have more flexible schedules and are able to create their own hours. Not everyone is working the same 8-5 time. Also, thanks to technology and the way millennials understand it, some companies give the option to work from home. Having flexible hours and working from home means you have time to be with your kids when they get back from school and for some even allows them time to make breakfast with them before heading off to work.  In 1975, the average time mothers and fathers spent with their kids were 9.7 hours a week. In 2018, that time has doubled to 20.7 hours. Could this be because parents get to create their own schedules? Absolutely. And spending more time with your kids creates less emotional and mental problems when they get older. (Thank you, millennials.)

Millennials like to build relationships. They’re friendly people, need emotional attachment, and want to personally connect with everyone around them, including their bosses and managers. They’re more open to their personal lives and connect with people better this way. This allows for a more comfortable atmosphere and it causes work to be bearable for everyone involved. Happy employees equal a happy company.

Given a choice between working by yourself and working in a team, millennials choose working with a team 90% of the time. Teamwork makes the dream work. They also like to receive feedback and constructive criticism, that way they know what they’re doing wrong and what to do to make things better. Millennials received participation trophies and “A for Effort” so they are used to receiving something for the duties they fulfill. (Also, counterpoint, they are blamed for receiving participation trophies, but they are not the ones responsible for giving them out in the first place, now are they?) Along with constructive criticism, they like to be mentored, given advice to, and they genuinely want to know how to succeed. Millennials make determined and energetic employees, so they can outshine others. The more determined your employees are to exceed, the more successful your company.

In healthcare, treatment plans change so much because technology and research are evolving each day. Cures are created, robots are managing surgery, and patient histories are maintained through smartphone apps. Millennials are the generation that grew up on technology. It’s their baby. Where technology is a millennial generation strength, other generations consider it their weakness. Thanks to millennials the transition to this technological world has been quite simple.

Some hiring managers may get put off at the thought of hiring a millenial because of common conceptions of them being high maintenance and picky.  However these millenials will be what takes your business to the next level. Learning what it is important too them is the first step in a successful partnership. Painting a clear picture of the position and expectations along with flexible hours, relationships, teamwork and technology are what matter most.

Whether you’re a manager with limited time (patience) and need help finding the right millenial or a millenial on the job hunt, you can count on HealthCare Support to be upfront and address any concerns head on.

Technology is Taking Over

Posted on by

It’s 2019. We all saw it coming: Technology is taking over. Everywhere we look people have their noses buried in their smart phones, tablets, and computers. It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come, and all the things people had to do without technology. Remember when you had to mail a letter if you wanted to reach someone? Or how about going to the library if you didn’t know something? Technology has made some major differences to improve the world, but there’s a lot of controversy whether technology actually made the world a better place. Do the pros outweigh the cons? Should the cons not be overlooked? Tell us what you think:

Pros

  • Internet and Accuracy

    Don’t know the answer to a question? You are now a few clicks away from knowing the answer through Google. Need to add things up and document numbers? You’ve got everything you need on your computer with Excel and the Calculator app. The internet and programs, like Microsoft Office, are there to fix your human errors.

  • Time Saver

    Having a computer allows you to do many things at once. You can schedule appointments, email people, and perform other tedious tasks in minutes. If you share projects with your coworkers, all files can be saved in one place for people to access. Therefore, making everything you do more efficient and productive.

  • Green Planet

    Tree huggers unite! Technology allows us to be paperless. We don’t have to use a single sheet of paper while we’re writing novels, figuring out mathematical equations, or spelling things. Saving paper saves trees and saving trees saves the planet.

  • Communication

    Using direct messaging apps such as Skype, Slack, GroupMe, and IM, you can ask quick questions or message someone without writing an email or leaving your desk. For more polished business to business communications, just compose an email. You never have to pick up the phone again!

  • Working from Home

    Your employees don’t need to be in the office to work anymore. Save overhead and allow your employees to work remotely using their own laptops and WiFi.

Cons

  • Slackers

    Americans waste almost two hours a day on things other than their responsibilities. What are they doing? They’re checking their social media or texting their friends. Technology can be a big distraction in the workplace causing some employees to be less productive.

  • Communication (again?)

    Yes, communication in the office is compromised because instead of talking in person, we talk over text and emails. Many things can be lost in translation.

  • Money, Money, Money

    Technology is expensive! If your smartphone breaks, it could be up to $300 to get it fixed. Need to restore your laptop’s hard drive? Computers are even more expensive to repair.

  • Automatic

    Everything works by itself now and this makes people lazy at work. Some basic skills go to waste, such as tracking inventory. Automated messages get frustrating when you’re trying to call an operator for customer service but get stuck with a robotic voice that can never understand you.

In a world where technology is everywhere you turn, we understand the importance of one on one conversations with our candidates. At HealthCare Support, our candidates have essential conversations with their recruiter throughout the hiring process.

Interested? Apply Here!

The Impact of Body Language

Posted on by

Something so little as a slouched posture can decide someone’s fate of getting their dream job. But is that how it should be? Most bad body language happens when people are stressed and uncomfortable, and these feelings come out during a job interview. Is it right to base your first impression on someone’s body language during an interview? Most of the time that’s not how the candidates act all the time. So, why is body language so impactful?

Let’s break it down first: What is body language?

Body language, or nonverbal communication, is not about what you’re saying but about how you say it and what your body is doing while talking. Body language is a way to better your conversation by using your facial expressions, hand gesticulation, and posture in your favor.

Some examples of body language:

Eye Contact:

Eye contact is a very controversial thing and a matter of opinion. In some countries, constant eye contact is rude while in in others it shows politeness and good manners. Some may think that too much eye contact is intimidating and consider it staring, which we all know is a very ill-mannered thing to do. Eye contact also exhibits interest, honesty, and confidence.  So how much eye contact is enough and how much is too little? It’s a delicate subject but during an interview, keep enough eye contact and keep it consistent. If you’ve been making great eye contact the entire interview then start blinking or fidgeting with your eyes, that is a sign of nervousness.

Body Posture:

Slouching is never a good thing. Not only is it bad for your back, but it shows a lack of interest and respect for your interviewer. Remain upright and lean forward, this shows that you are engrossed in the conversation. Just like other types of body language, you can overdo it. Don’t get too close, everyone needs their own personal space.

Fidgeting:

Fidgeting is a major sign of nervousness. Whether if it’s picking at your nails, constantly touching your hair, or shaking your legs, the interviewer will get the sign that you’re uncomfortable. So, keep your hands placed on your lap and cross your legs so you don’t get the urge to twitch.

Handshakes:

Have you practiced your handshakes with a friend before your interview? You should. Do you know when a handshake is too much versus when it’s too little? The limp handshake can be just as detrimental as the cutting-off-your-circulation handshake. Have all your items in your left hand so you’re prepared to shake someone’s hand. If you have sweaty palms, go for a subtle wipe of your hand on the side of your pants before shaking so you don’t give a clammy handshake.

Facial Expressions:

Smile! Giving someone a smile puts them at ease and conveys a sense of calm, control and confidence.  Smiling also reveals enthusiasm for the position and the company.

Body language can make or break you during interviews, even if you aren’t a fidgety person in your daily life. There are many ways you can positively express yourself through nonverbal communication, which can bump you up in the position standings. So, keep eye contact, sit up straight, and give them that million-dollar smile!

How Companies Win the Talent Tug-Of-War

Posted on by

It’s a job seeker market now! There are now more job openings in the United States than unemployed workers to fill them. This is the first time this has happened since the government started tracking jobs in 2000. So, our question is, how do we get the unemployed to pick your company over the others? Let’s get to know the three different kinds of candidates.

  1. Future Champs:

    They have the devotion and love for the job and the company, but don’t have the right experience and knowledge. More times than others, companies don’t have the time nor the effort to put into teaching these new hires.

  2. Indifferent Einstein’s:

    The brilliant ones that have the right experience, but lack passion and dedication to the company and their position. These employees usually leave soon after they’ve been hired.

  3. All-Stars:

    Candidates who have the right experience along with the right passion and enthusiasm for the role. Best of both worlds! These are the people you absolutely want to hire, which makes them extremely difficult to find.

Now that we know the different types of candidates, how do you win over the All-stars?

  • Be Flexible and Move Quick

    If you found an All-Star for the position, stop wasting time choosing and extend an offer. All-Stars will probably have many other options to consider. Act accordingly so they don’t have time to consider these other options. Keep the second interviews and deliberation to a minimum.

  • Referral Incentive

    Almost everyone talks about working with their friends, yet no one does anything about it. Come up with a referral incentive so your employees will want to recruit their friends. Most employees are conscious that this reflects themselves and will not offer just anyone. Also, your employees will be excited to get to work with their friends and you will have workers that want to be at work. It’s a win-win.

  • Employee Benefits

    The best thing to hear at an interview are all the unique benefits of working there. Some ideas are costume contests, Jean Fridays, annual team-bonding trips, having a pet-friendly office, or having company event tickets. Get creative and make them irresistible.

  • Open hours

    Everyone enjoys their free time. Be open to workers creating their own work schedules. Whether its 7:30-4:30, 8-5, 9-6, they are all working the same amount of time and getting their work done. Work from home days never hurt anybody either!

  • Talent Costs

    If you want to hire the All-Stars, they’re going to assume they are worth more than others. Make sure your salaries are competitive to skip out on losing them to a position paying a dollar more. When it comes down to it, it’s not that much of a difference.

  • Fans Always Welcome

    If your company is more consumer based, hire people that are already fans. That way, you hire someone who is passionate about the company and their job from the start.

  • Networking!

    Networking is great for candidates, but it’s also great for hiring managers. It allows you to build relationships with candidates before they even considering working for your company. It’s also a great way to meet applicants you wouldn’t have originally gone for. You never know, someone might surprise you!

HealthCare Support Attends CAHP in the Golden State

Posted on by

California Association of Health Plans Annual Conference

October 22-24, 2018

We are excited about our upcoming conference for the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) in San Diego, California at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. With the attempted changes to the Affordable Care Act in D.C, stakeholders in California are partnering to improve our healthcare system. There has been some debate over whether California should regulate healthcare prices, expand coverage to the remaining uninsured, create a public option, or start using a single payer healthcare system.

While this is happening, CAHP and its affiliates are working to better the existing healthcare system and improve the way consumers work with health plans. The debate to California’s health plans include expanding coverage, providing increased subsidies for those who buy their own insurance, and persuading lawmakers to think about a state level individual mandate.

HealthCare Support’s Business Development Manager, Jay Bridge, will be in attendance and joining over 1,000 health care professionals. At the conference, Jay will be learning how our health plan partners are handling the changes being made to the health care system in California. Fulfilling new staffing needs and expectations will be instrumental to the success of the implementation of new health plan regulations.

 

Are Your Employees ‘Office Slackers’?

Posted on by

We’ve all done it. Whether it’s constantly checking your phone, spacing out, or talking to your coworkers, we’ve all slacked. Americans spend almost two hours a day doing something other than their actual work. This means that companies waste an average of $759 billion on unfinished tasks.

Why do employees slack off? It’s a mixture between employees feeling like they are getting underpaid, employees not having enough to do, distracting and talkative coworkers, and the “I’ll do it tomorrow” attitude. Almost half of this wasted time is due to workers checking their cell phones and a third is socializing. And above all, one percent of this wasted time are employees applying for other jobs. So how can we fix this?

Employers, here are some tips to keep your employees productive:

Create a beneficial ambiance

    1. People feel more connected to nature when there are live plants around the office. Some results show that people with plants on their desks tend to be happier than those who don’t.
    2. Try and work with the sunlight. Make use of the windows or go for more sun-like light bulbs.
    3. It’s always nice to walk into work and have it smell nice in the office. Go buy candles or wall plug-ins. If it’s the season, buy seasonal smelling candles. It will give your workers a sense of home and comfort.
    4. Cater food in the office. Food powers the brain and it keep your em
    5. ployees focused and productive. Also, who doesn’t like free food?

Promote a more personable workplace

    1. Try to know your employees on a first name basis. It’s more comfortable for them when their boss knows their name.
    2. Join the company’s clubs and organizations. People will connect more when you share common interests– such as sports, book clubs, movies, and video games.
    3. Ask your employees about their lives outside of work, like how their families are. Hold the door open for them and give them a little smile. Any of these can create a more pleasing vibe and will make them feel more at ease.

Make your employees feel appreciated

    1. People like going into work when they feel they’re doing a nice job. Praise them as much as possible and try not to let anything good go unnoticed. Thank your employees if they do something for you.
    2. Don’t get emotional. It’s hard enough when employees know they did something wrong. Handle negative situations calmly. You hired bright employees and you know this because you wouldn’t have hired them if you thought otherwise.

Something so little, like a small smile or a compliment on someone’s hair might turn around their day for the better. You never know the kind of impact you’ll have on your employees, so remain positive and pleasant every chance you get.

The Fastest Growing Jobs in Healthcare

Posted on by

Healthcare is a rapidly growing field — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average growth rate of nearly 20% in this industry by 2026. This growth is much faster than any other sector. Though not all healthcare occupations are experiencing the same growth velocity. Many factors impact the jobs that will be experiencing the most demand, such as our large aging population, technological advances, and industry trends.

Shift to Outpatient Care and Home Healthcare

Medical advancements and costs are impacting where people choose to receive their medical care. Inpatient care carries a much higher price tag than outpatient and home healthcare options. Now, with growing improvements in surgical procedures and diagnostic testing, patients have more flexibility in their recovery and treatment choices.

Many surgical procedures are far less invasive than they used to be. This progression increases the number of operations that can be performed in an outpatient setting. It also supports quicker recovery times, allowing patients to leave the hospital sooner than before.

Improved diagnostic tools and innovative testing solutions are minimizing the need for inpatient care to diagnose and treat many illnesses and conditions. And once these individuals have been diagnosed, medical breakthroughs and advancements support numerous at-home treatment regimens. These trends are helping to drive patients out of hospitals into outpatient facilities and back home with the assistance of home care aides.

In-Demand Healthcare Careers

In addition to the shift in where patients are receiving medical care, who they turn to for this care is also important in determining job growth in this sector. These are the 9 top in-demand professions in the healthcare field with a 20 percent or higher projected growth rate.

  • Physician’s Assistant (PA) — 39% growth rate
  • Medical Assistant (MA) — 34% growth rate
  • Pharmacy Technician — 32% growth rate
  • Dental Hygienist — 30% growth rate
  • Physical Therapist — 27% growth rate
  • Radiation Therapist — 25% growth rate
  • Surgical Technician — 24% growth rate
  • Registered Nurse (RN) — 22.2% growth rate
  • Pharmacist — 22% growth rate

If you’re a healthcare professional, looking for a great place to work, we can help. Learn how here: Our Hiring Process.

HCS Healthcare Aqcuired by Healthcare Support

Posted on by

For immediate release: Aug. 8, 2018

ORLANDO, Fl. — Aug. 8, 2018 — HealthCare Support Staffing Inc., a national staffing firm specializing in contract, right-to-hire and direct hire placement of healthcare professionals, today announced that it has acquired HCS Healthcare, formally known as Healthcare Scouts.

The acquisition strengthens HealthCare Support’s presence in the healthcare staffing arena by expanding its portfolio and national footprint. Through this acquisition, HealthCare Support has gained 49 new clients and doubled its Permanent Placement and Managed Service Provider (MSP) Divisions. The Company’s candidate database has also increased by 40% and now reaches over 2 million candidates. HealthCare Support anticipates the increase in both candidates and clients to make a tremendous impact in the Company’s short-term goal of reaching $150 million in annual revenue.

“We are pleased to announce this exciting acquisition that will pull together the best talent and resources to provide both new and pre-existing clients with the most positive experience,” said HealthCare Support President James Thompson. “We were fortunate to bring over senior sales members, talented recruiters, and an experienced support team to help grow our organization. We welcome our new employees and know that these additions will position us as one of the premier healthcare staffing firms in the US.”

HealthCare Support (HSS) is a privately held niched recruitment firm with national headquarters in Maitland, Florida. The company was launched in 2002 with a mission to respond to the biggest challenge Hiring Managers face – finding the right talent at the right time.

By focusing solely on healthcare, HSS has become a trusted partner to many of the nation’s top healthcare organizations, filling both clinical and non-clinical roles with the highest degree of success.

About HCS Healthcare

HCS Healthcare is a specialized healthcare workforce solution firm. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Winter Park, Florida, HCS specializes in placing talent in Case Management, Utilization Management, Quality Management, and Sales Management roles.

Press Release