Strategies to Address the Workforce Shortage in Behavioral Health and Human Services
In response to the growing need for behavioral and mental health services, federal and state governments are increasing funding, including significant increases for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). Yet providers continue to struggle with staffing shortages.
Turnover rates at behavioral health facilities are averaging 31.3% in 2022, according to research by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) quoted on OPEN MINDs. This is part of a larger national labor shortage, one that has hit health care in general particularly hard.
Strategies Providers Are Using to Attract and Retain People
Following are some strategies that Behavioral Health and Human services providers are using to help attract and maintain employees.
Leverage the Talent You Do Have
Develop processes to enable licensed and skilled staff to spend as much time as possible doing those things only they are qualified to do. For example, maximize clinicians’ productivity by having care managers and other “para-professionals” do as much of the work as possible that doesn’t require a clinician.
Battle for New Talent
Market and recruit new employees. The war for talent cuts across industries, and Behavioral Health and Human Services providers need to match other employers with efforts like fun recruiting events, internship programs, and referral and signing bonuses.
If You Can’t Buy, Build
Build the workforce internally by developing an ongoing training strategy designed to enable those at each level of the organization to move up to the next level.
Be As Flexible As Possible
Provide flexibility to work remotely where appropriate and desired. Both remote work in general and telehealth services for behavioral health are part of the new normal. While many behavioral health employees need to be on-site or in the community, and others want to be, where possible give the employees flexibility.
Leverage Technology
Not all Behavioral Health Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are created equal. The best EHRs for behavioral and mental health are easy to use and intuitive. This offers a double benefit. It makes it easier for employees to do their jobs, which helps increase job satisfaction, and it improves productivity, which enables Behavioral Health and Human Services organizations to provide the same level of service with fewer employees.
For more strategies to address workforce shortages in behavioral health and human services, check out this OPEN MINDS Performance Management Institute Session.
Streamline’s SmartCare™ Behavioral Health EHR
Since 2003, Streamline has focused exclusively on the Behavioral Health and Human Services market. We understand that organizations in this market need more than just another Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendor. We are a trusted partner in building innovative technology solutions that empower people to improve the quality of life for those in need.
SmartCare™ is a true Enterprise EHR platform designed specifically for Behavioral Health and Human Services organizations. Its enterprise, cloud-based, single-platform, and intelligent technology empowers these organizations to improve effectiveness and quality of care. Request a demo today and learn how SmartCare™ can support your organization.
