Medical Staff

Poll: Hospitalist staffing during the holidays

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, December 21, 2009

How difficult is it to staff your hospitalist program during the holidays? Take the poll here to find out how your peers are handling the holiday rush.

Remember to keep the following tips in mind when scheduling:

  1. Plan ahead.
    Schedule in three month blocks, at least two months ahead of time.
  2. Be upfront, starting with the interview.
    Don’t mislead the applicant about the holiday schedule. Once hired, the hospitalist will likely be disappointed with the actual schedule if it doesn’t match what was initially discussed.
  3. Offer perks.
    Consider offering extra compensation on national holidays.
  4. Rate holiday preference.
    Ask the hospitalists which days are most important to them, which might differ depending on religion and family life. Try to match the schedule to their preference.
  5. Call for backup.
    You also might want to consider hiring locum tenens for the days in which staffing levels are low.

Happy holidays! Share your holiday scheduling tips online at www.HospitalistLeadership.com.

These tips are adapted from a Dec. 2008 Hospitalist Leadership Advisor article, supplementary newsletter to Medical Staff Briefing (subscription required).

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