1 Conversation, 3 “Ah-Ha” Revelations: Innovations in Healthcare Recruiting & Relocation

Hands down, healthcare recruiting is one of the toughest jobs around. Competition is fierce. Candidates want it all. No wonder so many healthcare organizations are hungry for innovative solutions that improve hiring outcomes.

For years, UrbanBound has specialized in helping healthcare organizations do just that, via our novel relocation solution. So, when Michael Stamatinos of The Advancing Healthcare Innovation Show asked us to talk about it, we jumped at the chance.

As a result, UrbanBound co-founders Michael Krasman and Jeff Ellman recently appeared on an episode devoted to this important subject (watch on-demand webcast here). As usual, they had a lot to say—which we’ve recapped here as three “ah-ha” eye-openers that every healthcare recruiter will want to know.

Ah-Ha #1: Doing Things the “Old Way” Isn’t Working

When it comes to the relocation aspect of recruiting, many healthcare organizations still embrace the status quo of treating relocation as compensation, not a benefit—and it’s hurting their recruiting rates.

As a rule, healthcare employers are increasingly seeking talent outside their geographic areas, especially when filling specialized positions. (Surprising stat: among UrbanBound’s healthcare clientele, as many as 50% of new hires require relocation!)

We’ve found that, while many healthcare employers refer to their offerings as relocation benefits, it’s really just…compensation.

In other words, newly-hired physicians may find an extra $25,000 in their first paycheck to cover relocation, along with a list of moving companies. But from there, they’re completely on their own when it comes to planning their move.

This is anything but a competitive hiring strategy because many healthcare employers are offering candidates the exact same deal. This is ultimately unhelpful to new hires, who—in addition to adjusting to a new job in a new place—now have to move mountains just to get there.

Ah-Ha #2: True Relocation Benefits Give Recruiters a Great Story to Tell

When you offer relocation benefits—real ones—you’re not just throwing money at your new employees, but making their moves, and therefore their lives, easier. Ideally, those new employees can get all the help they could possibly want from experienced relocation specialists, paired with access to user-friendly relocation software.

This gives your recruiters a way to differentiate from other employers—as well as a compelling story to tell. One that says: we genuinely care about you and your family, and we’re going to prove it. How? By making your move as easy as possible…introducing you to your new city…and helping you make great decisions so you’ll love living here.

This is more than a paragraph in an offer letter—it’s a proof statement about your culture and how you take care of your people. It’s a potential game-changer.