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.

As you may have heard, HCA Healthcare is in the process of divesting Redmond Regional Medical Center to AdventHealth effective October 1, 2021.

As a result of this transaction, HealthTrust Workforce Solutions will no longer be the primary MSP provider for contract labor at this select facility. That said, we have outlined what to expect throughout this transition and the associated grace periods.

State of New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a comprehensive plan to address preventable staffing shortages in hospitals and other health care facilities statewide.

 "We are still in a battle against COVID to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal," Governor Hochul said. "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely, and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities. I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care."

As we continue to grow our MSP program with a focus on operational and service excellence, we are pleased to announce the development of HCA Healthcare Group MSP Program Directors. Please join us in welcoming Ashley Ishak and Bill Demestihas to our team!

It’s hard to imagine but today marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people — more than 400 were police officers, firefighters and first responders. September 11, 2001 — 9/11— stands as the deadliest foreign attack in the United States.