The changing face of staffing in the current healthcare environment

Although the current economic crisis in the country provides a less than positive outlook for future employment opportunities, healthcare managers could very well find themselves with open positions that are difficult to fill. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the healthcare industry is one of the largest employers, with 14.3 million jobs. Ten of the 20 fastest growing occupations are healthcare related. For radiology professionals, employment opportunities are expected to increase 17% by 2018, an increase that exceeds the average of many other occupations. As we look at the current operating environment within our own organizations, we may question the likelihood of those numbers, especially as we face the unknown with healthcare reform and continued cuts by Medicare, as well as other insurance providers. However, there are several factors that influence current staffing and how to prepare departments for future needs.