The economy began the second half of the year with strong momentum, with the July 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Hiring Situation reporting that 943,000 new jobs were created last month. The gains were the largest seen in nearly a year and the unemployment rate ticked down to 5.6%, a 16-month low.

Healthcare added 36,800 jobs in July. Job gains in ambulatory health care services (31,900) and hospitals (18,300) than offset a loss of 13,400 jobs in nursing and residential care facilities. Healthcare employment remains down by 502,000 since February 2020.

Recently, the California Department of Public Health issued a new state-wide public health order that will require nearly everyone in the hospital – from employees to physicians and vendors – to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or to be tested twice a week. The order goes into effect Monday, August 9, 2021, and exempts hospital patients and their visitors.

As many have heard, HCA Healthcare is in the process of divesting Eastside Medical Center (Main and South Campus, Cartersville Medical Center and Coliseum Medical Center (Main and Northside Campus) to Piedmont Healthcare effective August 1, 2021. 

Dear Valued Partners,

Mercy Health System has made the decision to begin requiring full vaccination against COVID-19 for all current and future co-workers and/or contractors who serve and work in their facilities. As such, effective Thursday, September 30, 2021, all travelers and/or local contractors working in their facilities must be fully vaccinated to continue to work. If your travelers/contractors have not yet been vaccinated, please schedule now to ensure you may continue to work at or begin assignments at Mercy Health System's facilities. A copy of the contractor's vaccination card will suffice for verification of this requirement. 

As we head into the holiday weekend, HealthTrust Workforce Solutions would like to wish you all the best for a great holiday and a Happy 4th of July! This 4th of July, we would like to honor those who have dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the freedom that our nation enjoys today. We are thankful for the commitment that has been and continues to be made for our nation as we strive for a better tomorrow. 

HealthTrust Workforce Solutions is committed to operational excellence and making it easier to do business within our MSP program. We thank our partners who take the time to provide us with valuable feedback about our program, be it constructive or complimentary. Here is a comment from one of our partners who shared their experience with us.

The May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Hiring Situation Report showed moderate job gains last month, recording a job growth of 559,000 jobs. The smaller gains are reportedly a result of ongoing labor shortages as the economy reopens. The unemployment rate edged down from 6.1% in April to 5.8% in May, it's lowest since the pandemic shuttered businesses in March 2020.  According to the U.S. Labor Department, job openings reached a record level of 8.1 million at the end of March, reflecting a widening labor shortage.

In May 22,500 new jobs were gained within healthcare, primarily within ambulatory care settings (22.5K). Hospital payrolls grew by 2,900 and nursing and residential care facilities lost 2,400 jobs last month.  The unemployment rate for healthcare stands at 3.1% and at 2.2% within hospitals.  Compared with February 2020, healthcare employment is down by 508,000.

Hi Everyone, 

Each Memorial Day we pay tribute to the veterans who have given their life as an ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our American values and the security of our nation. We are thankful for those who have given their lives to protect our hard-fought freedom. We stand in continued partnership with the United Way’s MISSION UNITED initiative and with our military families in remembrance of the fallen as we share our gratitude for their significant sacrifice. Their impact will never be forgotten.

HealthTrust Workforce Solutions congratulates Clarissa E., R.N. for receiving the Nightingale Award while on assignment at Medical City Fort Worth. Clarissa works with HealthTrust staffing partner Medical Solutions. The Nightingale Award is presented to nurses that exhibit excellence within the nursing profession and each participant must be nominated for this award. Clarissa, we are thankful for your dedication and commitment to patient care!

HealthTrust Workforce Solutions is thankful for the continued positive impact that is being made within every community that we serve. Today, we want to wish all of our hospital workers a happy National Hospital Week! National Hospital Week, which runs May 9th-15th, celebrates the nurses, physicians, administrators, volunteers, and more who provide healing and hope to people in need. Through the dedication and commitment of every clinician and vendor partner, we know that the lives of patients are being changed across the country.