This Delta variant wave of COVID-19 may present even greater staffing challenges for health administrators.

<p>
  This Delta variant wave of COVID-19 may present even greater staffing
  challenges for health administrators. A trusted locum tenens partner can help
  leaders shore up staff and brace for impact.
</p>

<p>
  We don&#39;t know yet the magnitude of this coronavirus surge and how it will
  ultimately impact younger patients as well as
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/influenza-and-coronavirus"
    rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener"
    target="_blank"
    ><strong>coincide with the flu season</strong></a
  >. But if the surges pre-vaccine taught us anything, it&rsquo;s how to prepare
  for and react to the disease. We can draw on lessons from early in the
  pandemic to predict staffing challenges that might occur due to another surge
  and to explore how locums physicians and locums advanced practice providers
  can help.
</p>

<h2>Healthcare Staffing Challenges Due to a Coronavirus Surge</h2>

<ul>
  <li>
    Growing numbers of healthcare staff may become ill or quarantined, leaving
    gaps in coverage
  </li>
  <li>
    Employees may be exhausted and stressed and may need time to recuperate
    after the last wave
  </li>
  <li>Patient satisfaction may dip</li>
  <li>
    Providers with children may have limited childcare options, impacting their
    work attendance
  </li>
  <li>
    Facilities could become overwhelmed if the next wave coincides with flu
    season
  </li>
  <li>
    Rural communities may be hit harder due to limited resources and staff
  </li>
  <li>
    Higher-risk healthcare providers may choose to stay home or retire early
  </li>
  <li>Elective procedures may be halted again</li>
  <li>Telehealth may be needed to promote social distancing</li>
  <li>Certain specialties may be particularly difficult to fill</li>
  <li>
    Hiring, credentialing, and onboarding may take up already limited time
  </li>
  <li>The tight healthcare labor market may make it hard to fill positions</li>
</ul>

<h2>Healthcare Staffing Solutions for a Coronavirus Surge</h2>

<ul>
  <li>
    Temporarily fill absences with locums providers while staff members recover
    or quarantine
  </li>
  <li>
    Hire locum tenens providers to give your staff time off to recuperate and to
    stave off burnout
  </li>
  <li>
    Supplement with
    <a
      href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/ways-locum-tenens-providers-can-improve-patient-experience"
      >locums to help improve patient experience</a
    >
  </li>
  <li>
    Bulk up staff to protect against the synergy of another COVID-19 wave and a
    seasonal flu wave
  </li>
  <li>Use locums to strengthen provider numbers in vulnerable rural areas</li>
  <li>
    Shift higher-risk providers into telemedicine, virtual rounding, or training
    roles, and use less vulnerable permanent providers and locums to cover
    face-to-face patient encounters
  </li>
  <li>
    Plan strategically after another wave by using
    <a
      href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/using-locum-providers-to-help-resume-surgical-care"
      >locums to help resume elective surgeries</a
    >
  </li>
  <li>
    Use
    <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/telehealth-and-locums"
      >locums for telehealth</a
    >, as they are generally flexible, adaptable, and tech-savvy
  </li>
  <li>
    Connect with your locum tenens recruiter now if you foresee the need to fill
    specialized roles
  </li>
  <li>
    Trust your locum tenens agency to quickly and easily credential and hire
    locums staff
  </li>
  <li>
    Be aware that
    <a
      href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/blogs/pragmatism-amidst-pandemic"
      >states have relaxed licensure requirements</a
    >, and locum tenens recruiters are particularly attuned to these latest
    developments in licensure
  </li>
</ul>

<h2>We Can Help</h2>

<p>
  The locum tenens arrangement is ideal for this type of scenario. It is
  specifically designed for flexibility and ease. With the help of a trusted
  locum tenens partner, you can have confidence in your staffing strategy.
  <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/request-coverage">We can help</a>.
</p>


A New Surge: Bracing for the Next Wave with Locums