By: Mitzi Kent, RN, BSN | mkent@barlowmccarthy.com
I have always been a big believer in the power of first impressions. Within a matter of minutes, someone can form an entire opinion about you and your organization. If you believe in this too, consider how this translates into your provider recruitment communications.
First impressions start with the heading of your job postings and of course you have multiple opportunities to continue to make impressions at every stage thereafter. Here are some ideas of how to utilize the A-players in your organization to create that lasting impression.
Utilizing your A-players in the interview process is a great way to demonstrate your organization’s culture and make that lasting impression. Your leaders can sell the vision and show by their presence that they place a high priority on physician recruitment and retention. This can be accomplished by a message from the president of the medical group describing what it means to be part of the group and the impact they have on the community and their patients. Another great way to involve your A-players is to add them as a host for part of the hospital tour. These individuals may be physician peers or nurses with tenure at the hospital and in the community. Offering examples of how the culture is aligned with their values and demonstrated in their daily work will give your candidates insight into organizational dynamics.
Employing your A-players doesn’t have to stop there. Involving them in preparing your onsite visit itinerary, giving suggestions on how to be inclusive to the entire family, not only the candidate. The community tour should demonstrate that the whole family is vital to the organization. Utilizing your A-players to create a best-in-class experience will accomplish your goal of generating feelings of collegiality, enthusiasm, and a sense of being appreciated. This will reduce the candidates’ feelings of anxiety or doubt. A-players on your interview team have a strong ability to read non-verbal cues of fellow physicians that may incite real-life examples of their own interview experience and how they worked through their doubts.
Healthcare organizations that successfully incorporate their A-players in their recruitment strategy will stand out from the competition, earn physician’s trust, and become their first choice.
We would love to share more on this topic and examples of best practices for candidate hiring. Send me a note to schedule a complimentary virtual session, you can reach me at mkent@barlowmccarthy.com.