Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) + HWL
How Iroquois Healthcare Association Built a Contingent Staffing Model to Deliver Quality, Flexibility, and Cost Savings for its Members
About Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA)
Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) is a non-profit regional healthcare trade organization that represents more than 50 hospitals and health systems across 32 Upstate New York counties ranging from small, rural community safety-net hospitals, to large academic medical centers. IHA’s mission is to support its members and the communities it serves through advocacy, education, information, cost-cutting initiatives, and business solutions.
The Situation
IHA conducted surveys among its members to understand their workforce and operational needs, revealing a heavy reliance on contingent staff, leading to significant increases in labor costs.
In response to this insight, IHA developed a strategic plan to help its members address workforce gaps and reduce their dependence on costly traditional staffing agencies.
Key Challenges
Market rates are being driven up by high demand, and low supply.
Unsustainable agency staffing costs for chronic demand areas.
Development and execution of marketing and brand recognition campaign plan needed in order to proactively source clients.
HWL has provided us valuable insight into our contingent labor usage and a way to direct source quality candidates for our facility. We have a dedicated Client Services team that ensures we have Samaritan's needs met, optimized our contingent labor spend, and secured top talent. Their dedication and expertise have transformed our contingent workforce into a strategic asset, allowing us to focus on what matters most - delivering exceptional service to our patients.
The Goal
Develop an internal agency for IHA that would be accessible to members as a viable option for their facilities to attract contingent labor at a sustainable cost, without forfeiting quality, or disrupting patient care.
The Solution
IHA partnered with HWL, chosen for its industry leadership and successful track record in healthcare contingent staffing programs, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional staffing agencies.
Shortly after their initial meeting, IHA and HWL collaborated to create a private label program called "Upstate Works" to supply members directly, mitigating the need for traditional staffing agencies.
Leveraging HWL's experience and advanced technology, IHA tailored Talent Acquisition Optimization services to meet members' needs, facilitating efficient recruitment and marketing for Upstate Works.
By harnessing HWL's expertise, business intelligence, and recruitment marketing, IHA established a cost-effective internal agency to directly source contingent staff, providing savings for members and attracting experienced personnel.
IHA needed an experienced, trust-worthy, no-nonsense team to assist in the building, and implementation, of an internal agency which could potentially benefit every member, whether that be a 50-bed skilled nursing facility or 500-bed academic center,” states Lori Kiesel, HWL Vice President of Business Development. “Our team worked hand-in-hand with IHA to comprise a customized program allowing every member access to the internal agency’s resources and its resulting tremendous benefits. IHA had no time to spare for a lengthy implementation process. They needed immediate action.
Outcomes
A consistent and funneled model to attract contingent workers for IHA members and onboard hires with ease.
With the co-sourced private label, IHA members' have filled their openings with highly skilled healthcare professionals.
Contingent workforce spend has been reduced by 18.5% since the implementation of Upstate Works.
Continuous support for IHA and its members to ensure patient care remains the utmost priority
Results
Through the creation of “Upstate Works,’ IHA members have boosted the availability of clinical workers at competitive rates, cutting contingent staff spending by an average of 18.5%. Lori Kiesel, HWL’s VP of Business Development, collaborated with IHA to swiftly create a tailored internal agency benefiting all members, from small nursing facilities to large academic centers. HWL’s partnership provided customized Talent Acquisition Optimization services, tech leverage, expertise, and recruitment marketing, offering healthcare organizations control over contingent labor spending for enhanced financial stability.”