Working with an MSP for your contract staffing needs is a powerful, but often misunderstood, solution. At first blush, the idea of bringing in an outside service to handle your staffing may sound expensive, cumbersome or simply too good to be true—especially if you have a relatively small roster of contract staffers.
If you’ve written off MSPs as a solution because of common misconceptions around cost and feasibility, you’re not alone. Staffing is complicated! And there are many ways to approach it with varying degrees of success. When you understand how MSPs really work, you can choose a partner who offers support instead of drains your resources. Let's bust those myths.
MSPs are just a more expensive version of a vendor management system (VMS)
We get it. Whenever there’s talk of additional platforms and software, it’s natural to start seeing dollar signs. But the real difference in these approaches is right there in the name: a “management system” versus a “service provider.”
Truth: An MSP is a comprehensive and strategic partnership with personalized tools and support—for no additional cost. A VMS is a software tool that may have added fees for licensing, setup and implementation.
When you work with an MSP, you’ll consolidate all your staffing needs with one partner, offloading a lot of the management burden. Plus, as your needs evolve (and they will evolve!), you’ll be able to work out custom solutions with a team that already understands you.
So what is the price tag? Good news: The staffing company pays the MSP an administrative fee, not the healthcare facility. If you’re going to pay for staffing anyway, why not choose a solution that comes with one-on-one guidance and operational efficiencies that can actually lower your staffing costs?
MSPs are only designed for large organizations
This is another myth that’s rooted in the difference between a “system” and a “service.”
Truth: MSPs are designed to be flexible and scalable to support the natural ebb and flow of staffing needs.
Every organization can benefit from the efficiencies of an MSP because whether you’re staffing for 10 positions or 100, you still need a solid strategy in place. The right partner will be able to customize a program completely suited to your goals, operations and ever-changing needs.
Implementing an MSP will take too much work
The service-oriented nature of an MSP is what truly sets it apart ... and that includes implementation. An MSP is more than software and an instruction manual. From the very beginning of your relationship, you’ll have an experienced partner to lead you through the integration process and answer your questions.
Truth: Most MSP platforms are designed for easy integration with the existing systems and processes that healthcare facilities use.
Since these programs are flexible, the best MSP partners can even create custom solutions and preferred workflows. You’ll have dedicated IT and account support to ensure a smooth transition.
MSPs set inflated bill rates that facilities are forced to pay
Even among organizations that currently use an MSP, the way bill rates work is generally misunderstood. Bill rates aren’t some arbitrary, rigid number set by MSPs. They fluctuate with the market. Depending on the supply and demand in your area, each role will have an associated high, median and low rate—and those rates are directly correlated to candidate quality and hiring ease.
Truth: They don’t set or change the rates. An MSP actually offers access to bill rate transparency, which can help you make smarter, balanced financial decisions.
Pay too low and you might lose the best candidates. Pay too high and you might be doling out extra cash when you don’t need to be. The right MSP partner will offer transparency that builds trust and helps you right-size your bill rates. You should always feel in control of the rates you’re paying and have a strong understanding of what those rates include.
A smart investment for the long-term financial health of your hospital or facility
For better or worse, the need for contract staffing isn’t going away any time soon. Whether you’re a long-term care facility overseeing a handful of per diem staff, or you’ve got a sizeable roster of healthcare professionals in many departments, the customized support of an MSP can help you develop a solution that fits your needs. It’s easier to implement than an off-the-shelf system, and it comes with transparency that supports your financial goals.
Visit msp.rtgmedical.com today to talk more about how our transparent partnership can support you.
