In a recent “Voices” interview with Skilled Nursing News, Brandon Tappan, Chief Revenue Officer of ShiftKey, shared valuable insights on revolutionizing the healthcare workforce. Tappan emphasized the need for innovative solutions in the face of ongoing resource challenges in the healthcare industry, including addressing nurse turnover and the increasing use of PRN nurses.
A career shaped by long-term care challenges
With over 17 years of experience in long-term care and senior housing, Tappan's journey has been marked by a deep understanding of the workforce demands in healthcare. His move to ShiftKey was driven by a belief in its unique, data-driven approach that aligns with the needs of both healthcare facilities and independent professionals. Tappan highlights ShiftKey's role during the COVID pandemic, crediting its platform with connecting healthcare facilities and professionals in critical times.
Addressing the workforce gap
Tappan points out the alarming gap between the growing need for long-term care and the availability of licensed professionals. He emphasizes the demographic shifts leading to an increased senior population and the urgent need for 3.5 million more long-term care workers by 2030. The alarming rate of nursing professionals leaving the industry, exacerbated by the pandemic, has put immense pressure on healthcare facilities, which can negatively impact patient outcomes, care standards, and remaining healthcare workers.
Navigating workforce challenges with innovation
Tappan also delves into how the company is innovatively tackling the pressing problem of staffing shortages in healthcare. He emphasizes ShiftKey's strategic approach to leveraging technology in enhancing workforce management and efficiency: “We believe that genuine innovation springs from empowering facilities to make strategic, data-driven workforce decisions both immediately and in the future.” This approach underscores ShiftKey's commitment to providing a comprehensive, tech-driven solution to meet the complex demands of modern healthcare facilities.
Independent healthcare professionals: A new perspective
Tappan advocates for the integration of independent healthcare professionals into the workforce strategy. He views these professionals as vital to addressing workforce shortages and burnout, given their choice for independence and flexibility. ShiftKey's platform enables facilities to access these professionals easily and verifies the necessary credentials are in place.
A call to action for facility leaders
For facility operators, Tappan advises a balance between optimism and realism. Embracing data-driven approaches and innovative solutions like ShiftKey’s is crucial for transforming facilities from surviving to thriving. He stresses the importance of recognizing the power of independent professionals and engaging with them in a mutually beneficial manner.
The future: Data-driven, integrated solutions
Tappan envisions a future where data-driven decision-making and integrated technological solutions become the norm in healthcare workforce management. The collaboration between ShiftKey and OnShift, resulting in the creation of SAMI (Schedule Automation Marketplace Integration), embodies this vision. SAMI provides a unified solution for managing workforce and scheduling, leading to improved occupancy rates and administrative efficiency.
The future of the healthcare workforce
In the future of the healthcare workforce, as envisioned by Tappan, the focus is on innovation and adaptability. His insights emphasize the importance of a proactive approach in workforce management. He advocates for solutions that not only meet current workforce needs but are also adaptable to future changes in the healthcare sector, thereby ensuring continuous delivery of quality care. This vision aligns with the evolving nature of healthcare and the need for responsive and flexible strategies.
For a more in-depth understanding of Brandon Tappan's perspective and ShiftKey's approach to the healthcare workforce, read the full interview at Skilled Nursing News.
