The final 2021 U.S. Labor Department Employment Situation Report once again provided evidence that COVID, in particular the spread of the Omicron variant, has restrained job growth.  A smaller-than-expected 199,000 jobs were added in December 2021 and the unemployment rate hit edged down to 3.9% from 4.2% . Furthermore, according to the Bureau's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), workers left their jobs at record-breaking pace of 4.5 million resignations.

The healthcare sector recorded a loss of 3,100 jobs and 52,000 resignations took place within the larger healthcare and social-assistance industry. The healthcare sector gained 143,800 jobs in 2021, remains down 449,500 jobs since pre-pandemic levels.

COVID-19 remains a concern to public health and, in order to prevent its further spread in hospitals, SNFs, and other health care settings, new public health requirements are necessary at this time in the state of California.

On behalf of the entire HealthTrust Workforce Solutions family, we would like to wish you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

With your help, we have touched the lives of more patients in more ways in facilities across the country this year, providing these individuals with the highest quality of care during their times of need. None of which would have been possible without you and all of our valued team members and healthcare partners. Together we have raised the bar, unlocked possibilities and cared like family.

We are pleased to share that the MSP Program for University of Louisville Health is now live.

University of Louisville (UofL) Health is a hospital system based out of Louisville, KY. Effective today, December 6, 2021 they will begin to engage with HealthTrust Workforce Solutions as their Managed Services Provider (MSP) to support consistent protocols for initiating and managing their contingent labor needs via Workforce 2.0 VMS. Effective at go-live, all net new needs and extensions will be managed under the HWS standard MSP program support model and with the use of Workforce 2.0.  

The Labor Department revealed slow job growth in November, with just 210,000 new jobs added to payrolls. November's increase in hiring was the smallest in a year and was well below the half a million jobs expected by economists. The unemployment rate hit a new pandemic low, coming in at 4.2% from 4.6%.  The data indicates that the worst labor shortage in decades continues to heavily impact economic growth.  

Healthcare employment was virtually unchanged in November (+2,100). Within the industry, employment in ambulatory health care services continued to trend up (+17,000), while hospital lost 3,900 jobs and nursing and residential care facilities lost 11,000 jobs. Employment in health care is down by 450,000 since February
2020, with nursing and residential care facilities accounting for nearly all of the loss.

U.S. federal courts have officially put the previously announced regulations requiring COVID-19 vaccinations on hold indefinitely and deemed them not enforceable. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

While 2021 has continued to test each of us and our communities in many unprecedented ways, we have used this opportunity to build resilience and demonstrate that we will not let hardships and challenges define us. With Thanksgiving just a few days away, we are looking forward to being able to come together to celebrate with our friends and families. I would like to take a moment to personally demonstrate my gratitude and thank each of you for your hard work and dedication this past year.  I am proud that the HWS MSP Program is made up of such great team members and vendor partners who raise the bar and  work hard each day to create both career opportunities for healthcare professionals and ensure the delivery of patient care across the country.  We are all part of something so much bigger than ourselves and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others every day is something we all should be truly grateful for.

As you may know, the Biden administration recently issued regulations requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for the great majority of healthcare workers and workers in other industries.   Given that development, HCA Healthcare will now require all colleagues who do not qualify for an exemption or deferral, including HealthTrust Workforce Solutions team members, to have their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by December 5^th and be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022. Please note that does not replace the current mandate active requirement in place in California and Colorado. 

In order to ensure compliance with this mandate and retain your access to any of our healthcare facilities, please follow the Deadline Directions below.

We are pleased to share that the MSP Program for Valley Health Partners is now live.

Valley Health Partners is a hospital system based out of Allentown, PA. Effective Monday, October 11, 2021 they have begun to engage with HealthTrust Workforce Solutions as their Managed Services Provider (MSP) to support consistent protocols for initiating and managing their contingent labor needs via Workforce 2.0 VMS.

All net new needs and extensions will be managed under the HWS standard MSP program support model and with the use of Workforce 2.0.   

 Thank you for your continued support of our MSP Programs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that job growth dropped to the slowest pace seen this year, adding just 194,000 new jobs in September and marking the second consecutive month of decline. The unemployment rate dropped to an 18-month low of 4.8%, partially offset by those leaving the labor force. August payrolls were revised to show a revised job gain of 366,000, up from the originally reported 235,000. Overall employment remains 5.0 million jobs below the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020.