Urgent Care Recruiting Trends Set the Tone for Healthcare Overall

The need to be “everywhere all the time” has become something of a mantra in healthcare, according to the latest Overview of the Salaries, Bonuses, and Other Incentives Customarily Used to Recruit Physicians, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, compiled and presented by Merritt Hawkins. The report spotlights the growth of urgent care, specifically, along with other walk-in settings as a key influencer in changing patient expectations when they choose a healthcare provider. Secondary to that, it details the trend of acquisition, expansion, or recruitment of physician groups by large healthcare networks. “Convenient care venues such as urgent care centers and retail clinics…are becoming key entry points into the health system,” it declares. “A growing number of younger people are using these sites (as well as telemedicine) as their main source of primary care.” The trend is also changing the way healthcare employers engage their clinical staff, according to Merritt Hawkins. Most employ physicians directly rather than establishing them in private practice, for example. Another trend: Taking quality metrics into account in calculating compensation packages. Out of the 70% of job searches that offered a production bonus, 56% tied that bonus into patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment protocols, and other standards. That’s up 13% over the previous Merritt Hawkins paper on the subject. Signing bonuses remain a standard recruiting tool for hospitals and medical groups, though they are less likely to come into play for urgent care centers, academic medical centers, direct pay/concierge, and other select settings. The recruiting methods illustrate the competitive nature of today’s job market from the employer’s end. Landing top talent is only half the battle though; once they’re on board, you want to ensure they stay put. For insights on how to make that happen, read Becoming the Employer of Choice for the Emerging Urgent Care Workforce in the JUCM archive.