When Staffing Shortages Hit, What's Your Plan?
Since COVID, staffing shortages have become one of the biggest operational challenges facing home care agencies. Emergency preparedness plans have evolved to reflect that reality, and organizations like the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice recommend having backup staffing arrangements documented as part of your agency's emergency preparedness plan.
Many agencies assume that means contracting with a staffing agency—but in practice, that solution isn't always reliable.
The Reality of Staffing Agencies
Staffing agencies can certainly be part of your backup plan, but they often come with challenges. Many focus primarily on hospitals, nursing homes, or licensed nursing staff rather than non-medical home care caregivers. They can also be expensive, sometimes charging more than your agency bills the client.
More importantly, your agency remains responsible for ensuring anyone caring for your clients meets your state's compliance requirements, including background checks, registry verifications, and required orientation and training.
A Better Backup Plan: Build Relationships with Other Home Care Agencies
Instead of relying solely on staffing agencies, consider developing professional relationships with other respected home care agencies in your area.
Networking events aren't just for finding referral sources—they're opportunities to build relationships with fellow agency owners who understand exactly what you're facing. By establishing reciprocal staffing agreements, agencies can help each other during temporary staffing shortages without permanently sharing clients.
Because these agencies operate under the same licensing standards, their caregivers are far more likely to have completed the same types of screenings, background checks, and orientation required for home care.
It's About Opportunity—Not Profit
Temporary cross-staffing isn't designed to generate immediate profit. Its real value is allowing your agency to accept referrals when you otherwise would have to say no.
Imagine receiving a referral late Friday afternoon from a hospital case manager you've been trying to build a relationship with for months. Your caregivers are fully scheduled, but another trusted agency has temporary availability. Rather than declining the referral, you can begin services immediately while you recruit your permanent caregiver team.
You may not make much money on those first few shifts, but you've gained something far more valuable:
· A satisfied referral source
· A new client
· A stronger reputation for reliability
· Future referral opportunities
Collaboration Creates Better Care
There is plenty of business to go around. Developing professional relationships with neighboring agencies creates a stronger home care community while helping ensure clients receive uninterrupted care during staffing shortages, illness outbreaks, vacations, Full-Moons, or unexpected surges in referrals.
Sometimes your best staffing backup isn't a staffing agency at all—it's another agency that understands exactly what you do and feels your pain-point. Invest in those relationships before you need them, and everyone benefits.
Click below to download your FREE PAS to PAS Staffing Contract
Need help with operations, compliance or other support?
Slusher Consulting offers tailored consulting services for PAS agencies across Texas.
We'll be here when you need us.
Did you miss our last blog post on When Clients Steel Your Caregivers? Watch what I have to say on that topic here.
Need help with operations, marketing or other support?
Slusher Consulting offers tailored consulting services for PAS agencies across Texas.
