New Survey Reports Rise In Health IT Hiring, Outsourcing
By Greg Bengel, contributing writer
Workforce survey from HIMSS Analytics finds that both providers and IT vendors are staffing up on IT talent
On July 11, HIMSS Analytics published its first ever workforce survey. The survey examines the hiring trends and obstacles faced by both healthcare provider organizations and IT vendors. A review of the findings, which include responses from 224 healthcare IT and vendor organization executives, shows that both groups are currently staffing up their health IT talent. Providers are expanding both hiring and outsourcing efforts.
This useful infographic breaks down results from the survey. According to the infographic, 86 percent of survey respondents reported hiring at least one employee last year, compared to only 13 percent of respondents who reported layoffs. The trend is likely to continue. The infographic reports that three out of four organizations plan to hire more staff in the upcoming year.
Further review of the infographic reveals that healthcare providers and IT vendors are hiring in different areas. In 2012, more than half of the provider organizations surveyed hired one to five IT employees in clinical application support and help desk positions. Over half of the vendors hired more than 20 employees in sales and marketing positions.
As might be expected, outsourcing is trending higher than hiring. The infographic reports that 76 percent of provider organizations reported outsourcing employees, rather than hiring directly. This trend, too, appears likely to continue, as 93 percent of provider organizations have plans to outsource next year.
This rise in hiring and outsourcing reflects a recognized need for strengthening IT initiatives. A troubling 31 percent of providers reported having to put an IT initiative on hold due to staffing shortages. According to the infographic, “Many [providers] expressed these lower priority issues created risks to patient care and revenue generation.” As for the cause of the shortage, 43 percent of providers and 56 percent of vendors reported that the lack of a qualified talent pool is their biggest obstacle.
The survey touches on a number of other topics as well, including critical employee recruitment tactics and tools, the use of retention programs and the importance of industry certification. To download the report in its entirety, click here.