The need for staff in assisted living facilities is increasing. A large population is starting to progress into their older years. There is already a shortage of senior living healthcare workers. That is why many expect senior living staffing to become more complex as demand increases. This post will look at building and maintaining an effective staff in senior living communities.
Assisted Living Staffing: Building a Modern Staffing Model
Positive Corporate Culture
Modern workers change jobs more frequently than previous generations. Therefore, creating a positive atmosphere is crucial, even for entry-level positions. Build a community among workers and develop strategies for integrating staff members into the team. With a stronger community and bonds among workers, they will stay longer and explore career opportunities within your company. Staff training also plays a crucial role in onboarding new team members.
Competitive Compensation
How competitive are your overall pay and benefits? Better compensation will help you attract and keep top talent. But you don’t need to overspend to create an appealing package. Here are areas to consider:
- Basic salary
- Benefits
- Bonuses
- Pay differentials (for working second shifts versus weekends)
- Flexible working hours (supporting work-life balance)
- Paying for staff development and education
- Recognition programs
Electronic Medical Records
A New England Journal of Medicine survey emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration in post-acute care facilities. Updating electronic medical records to be accessible in various locations is important. It can enhance communication, reduce confusion, and simplify patient transfers between facilities.
Scheduling Software
Scheduling software simplifies forecasting needs. It can optimize staff utilization by predicting workloads and analyzing real-time data. The software can also assign staff to where they are most needed. By effectively managing schedules, you can prevent burnout and reduce overtime costs. It also improves employee satisfaction.
Staffing Flexibility
Your staffing levels should match the needs of the community and those of your residents. It is important to stay fully staffed without overworking and burning out your team.
Offer Flexible Shifts
Adjusting shift lengths can give you more flexibility for covering days, nights, and weekends. Involving nurses in this decision can boost their job satisfaction.
Focus RNs on Essential Duties
During the day, regular tasks, like finishing documentation, don’t require a registered nurse’s skills. You can assign them to licensed practical nurses or other staff, allowing RNs to concentrate on more complex patient care.
Staffing Pools
Float pools assign nurses to work across different units, ensuring enough coverage where and when needed. Nurses also get the chance to learn different skills. It can lead to more reliable staffing and a team with more diverse skills.
Team-Based Care
You can organize teams that care for a specific group of patients. Team members support each other, reducing pressure and helping ensure top-quality care.
Convenient Senior Living Solutions Done Right!
Canopy Senior Living is Atlanta’s most trusted, experienced, innovative senior living management company! We dedicate ourselves to creating an excellent and caring environment for our residents and team members. If you’re interested in our services, message us by clicking here.
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