How Agencies should Plan to Retain Staff After the Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate from CMS Takes Effect

Home health and hospice agencies are continually faced with the challenge of retaining qualified, talented, and loyal staff members. An agency is only as strong as its workforce, and a number of challenges within the healthcare industry landscape have made it very difficult to retain good staff members. A burgeoning need for qualified staff members across the industry has resulted in a much higher demand. Now, healthcare staff are more selective with the agencies they work with, evaluating the benefits and incentives offered by the agency that will help aid in their success.

Federal Vaccine Mandate to be Applied to Healthcare Workers in the US, Faces Objections by Several States

A new challenge that home health and hospice agencies will now face is how to navigate the new vaccine mandate. The mandate would ensure that all workers of the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are vaccinated in order to provide care. While it is currently in the midst of a legal battle in several states who claim the mandate supersedes the government’s authority, it is expected that this mandate will pass in many states, if not all eventually, due to the fact that unvaccinated workers may pose a severe risk to ailing patients.

Strong Leadership will Aid in Retention Efforts

Developing strategies to help ease the minds of your employees will have tremendous impact during a time when people are scared and unsure of what is in store for them. Make sure that leadership are well equipped to handle questions and concerns by staff and draft resources so that they are always up to date on the latest requirements. Strong leadership abilities will be paramount to affecting engagement and retention positively. Some cornerstones to reinforce with your agency’s leadership include communication, accountability, and managing any expectations of your staff.

Powerful Recruitment Efforts Offer Extra Incentives to New Staff

During a time where staff are faced with a growing number of uncertainties and challenges, develop a strategy that also includes extra incentives to make employment more attractive. In the past, retaining staff was not as difficult as it is now, in the post-COVID era. Take some time to consider what is most important to your staff members and determine whether there is more that your agency can do to support their career success, satisfaction, and continued growth.

Engage in Consistent and Reliable Communication about the Mandate with Staff

The most important thing that your agency can focus on during the adoption of this mandate is consistent, open, and reliable communication with staff. Make sure to keep your staff members informed about any changes to the mandate, so that they feel confident and comfortable. Make sure to open up communication channels in both directions so that they feel comfortable expressing any concerns they may have about the mandate with you. This enables you to come up with a solution that is effective for all involved.