Top 5 resources aiding in behavioral health talent development and retention

As the rapid growth of both medically complex and behavioral health patients persists, the demand for resources has never been more intense.

The challenge to meet this demand is compounded by the fact that the supply of behavioral health team members is not sufficient to meet the growing need for mental health and substance use services in the United States. This imbalance only worsens when looking at hospitals in smaller communities.¹

Partnership continues to remain a key strategy for hospitals looking to overcome these hurdles.

Below are five key benefits of partnership that can help a hospital meet current and future staffing needs.

1. 1. 1. Gain access to a national data and resources focused on program optimization.

Having a team of experts focused on the latest behavioral health trends, quality data and best practices enables hospital leadership to focus on their core acute services while staff are able to provide a care approach tailored to their patient’s specific needs. Additionally, staff can be equipped with the latest techniques and resources to help them be more successful in their roles, and ultimately more satisfied in their positions.

A qualified behavioral health partner with a strong reputation of delivering exceptional outcomes through state-of-the-art resources and data can help expand behavioral health talent.

1. 1. 2. Identify and recruit specialized behavioral health resources.

An experienced partner will have a team with both local and national reach, dedicated to recruiting top talent. This enables the hospital to effectively locate and hire talent that matches the culture of the hospital and the specific needs of the community.

Having a fully staffed behavioral health team also helps patients get to the right care setting, faster. This ultimately relieves overcrowding within the emergency department (ED) – leading to better outcomes, higher levels of patient satisfaction and lower burnout of ED providers. 

1. 1. 3. Provide best-in-class employee training and continuing education.

Supplying the latest educational resources for employees to excel within their role not only leads to better outcomes, but also helps to improve employee satisfaction and retention.

A dedicated behavioral health partner with established programs for continuing education and employee development can help the hospital stand out from other employers in the community.

1. 1. 4. Live out its mission and values through a positive culture.

The mission and values of a hospital are the underlying DNA that brings the entire organization together. Hospital team members who align with a company’s mission and values are more likely to enjoy their work experience, resulting in higher productivity levels and engagement. They are also more likely to continue their employment within the organization long-term.

An experienced provider will respect the hospital’s unique culture and mission and will partner with the hospital to further that mission in the community.

1. 1. 5. A reputation of excellence.

An experienced partner brings operational and clinical excellence that can help the program become known throughout the region. The additional resources and best practices also allow for greater efficiency, leading to less burnout and more flexibility – key drivers of employee satisfaction.

This is especially critical as health systems across the nation are experiencing ongoing labor shortages. These shortages create an obstacle when it comes to attracting behavioral health providers, and when combined with a lack of financial incentives, burnout is expected among all hospital staff within the local community.

A partner with access to resources to aid in an employee’s professional growth and personal development can help a health system be viewed as an employer of choice within their community.

The benefit of partnership for behavioral health staffing success

Now more than ever, employee engagement and satisfaction – which ultimately lead to improved retention and outcomes – are critical to a hospital’s program performance and its ability to meet the needs of the community.

Through a joint venture or contract management partnership, hospitals can help optimize their operations as a whole – aiding in superior patient and facility outcomes as well as improved employee satisfaction and retention.

Read our white paper, “5 Ways Behavioral Health Operational Expertise Benefits Recruitment and Retention,” to learn how Lifepoint helps its contract management and joint venture partners optimize their programs through focused employee engagement expertise.

References:

1. Baum, N., & King, J. (2020, February). The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy. School of Public Health Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center University of Michigan. https://www.behavioralhealthworkforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Recruitment-and-Retention-of-BH-Providers-Full-Report-2.2020.pdf