The nonclinical workforce shortages looming in healthcare
As the U.S. faces ongoing shortages of skilled tradespeople, hospitals and health systems are preparing for those gaps to affect their own operations.
Health system leaders told Becker’s roles such as mechanics and electricians are critical to daily hospital operations.
At Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare, skilled trades have emerged as a critical focus area, Chief People Officer Rosemary Sheehan told Becker’s. The state is projected to face shortages in multiple areas, including general maintenance mechanics with expertise in carpentry, plumbing, painting and minor electrical work, as well as HVAC technicians, electricians and medical equipment mechanics.
“These gaps are being driven by multiple factors: rising demand for skilled trades to support infrastructure and private-sector projects, high retirement rates among the current workforce and limited access to training or apprenticeship programs,” Ms. Sheehan said.
Assessing need
Multiple health system leaders told Becker’s they employ a mix of in-house and contracted trades professions.
Hartford HealthCare employs nearly 300 skilled trades professionals systemwide. To anticipate gaps, it uses historical and current workforce data, external labor market insights, forecasting models and predictive analysis, Ms. Sheehan said.
At Lexington, Ky.-based UK HealthCare, many trades roles are directly hired, while others — such as those tied to the construction of a hospital expansion project — are through vendor partnerships. Fredrick Martin, associate vice president of human resources, told Becker’s the system is analyzing open roles and upcoming retirements to guide planning, he said.
“We’re partnering with our local schools such as Bluegrass Community & Technical College to understand their enrollment rate,” Mr. Martin said. “Are we seeing increases or steady declines in these types of trades? That helps us understand what the pipeline is looking like and where we could help assist bringing awareness to these roles.”
How health systems are preparing
A large share of skilled trades professionals nearing retirement — compounded by too few young people pursuing the roles — is one of the most significant drivers of future workforce gaps, Ms. Sheehan said.
“To close this gap, Hartford HealthCare is developing an apprenticeship program to attract and prepare the next generation of trades professionals,” she said. “We also partner with high schools and technical schools across Connecticut, offering career exploration events, internships, job shadowing and work-based learning opportunities.”
Hartford HealthCare also collaborates with community organizations to increase access to training programs to diversify the pipeline of skilled workers, she added.
Skilled trades roles in healthcare have strong recruitment advantages, such as stable hours and strong benefits, a spokesperson for Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare told Becker’s. Introducing high school students to skilled trades and programs that offer mentorship and hands-on experience will be important for recruitment, the spokesperson said.
UK HealthCare also emphasizes early exposure to all types of healthcare roles, beginning as early as middle school.
“We partnered with technical trade schools for a number of these pipeline initiatives, with the key to success being getting out early and often with these individuals to let them know that these types of jobs do exist in healthcare, and many are day-one ready after finishing a program,” Mr. Martin said.
In addition to improving awareness of these roles — as well as the compensation ranges for trades roles — access to the roles is key, he said.
“What I mean by access is making sure our career site is easy to navigate, that applicants can identify a role and easily apply,” he said. “And if selected, go through a competitive interview process and with a high-touch, candid experience.”
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