Healthcare employees are confident about the economy, their job security and the future of their employers, according to the Q3 Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index. In fact, the third quarter survey recorded a confidence level of 59.2, the highest among healthcare workers since Randstad began tracking this segment in Q1 2012. The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive among 170 healthcare professionals. Data was collected July 9-11, August 5-7 and September 9-11, 2013, and thus does not reflect the attitudes of employees during and since the government shut down.

Large gains were seen in the perceived overall strength of the economy, with 35 percent of healthcare workers believing it is getting stronger, a nine percent increase quarter-over-quarter. Confidence in the job market also improved, with 62 percent of healthcare workers saying they are confident in their ability to find a new job (up from 54% in Q2) and nearly one-quarter (24%) believing there are more jobs available.

"Healthcare organizations continue to maneuver in the transforming healthcare environment, with executive roles such as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer particularly in high demand," said Steve McMahan, EVP of Randstad US, Professionals and President of Randstad Healthcare.  "Executive roles are important because these employees bring their clinical expertise and perspectives, and are instrumental in helping to develop and carry out strategies to increase patient satisfaction surveys and reduce readmission rates. Reimbursement will hinge upon these factors as we move away from the fee-for-service model. Skills for these positions include clinical, management and strong interpersonal skills. 

"Given the demand and resulting competition for talent, employers will need to work hard to attract top healthcare professionals by demonstrating the unique attributes that make their facility a great place to work," McMahan continued. "For U.S. hospitals and healthcare systems, the prevalence of job vacancies and openings for qualified talent is an ongoing concern. Simply put, for hospitals and health systems, profitability is more and more contingent upon a skilled, engaged and satisfied workforce."

Q3 2013 Survey Highlights:

Percentage of Healthcare Workers Who Believe More Jobs Are Available Rises

• In the third quarter of 2013, 24 percent of healthcare workers believed there were more jobs available, rising four percentage points from Q2 2013. Less than half of healthcare workers (44%) believe there are fewer job opportunities available, falling eight percentage points from the previous quarter.

Number of Healthcare Workers Likely to Job Search Shows Little Change in Q3

• Over the next 12 months, 31 percent of healthcare workers say they are likely to look for a new job, rising just one percentage point from the previous quarter.

Number of Healthcare Workers Confident They Can Find a New Job Improves

• A majority of healthcare workers (62%) indicated they are confident they could find a job in the next 12 months, rising eight percentage points from the previous quarter.

Employer Confidence Holds Steady Among Healthcare Workers

• About six-in-10 (61%) healthcare workers feel confident in the future of their employer, showing no change from the previous quarter.

More Healthcare Workers Optimistic About Economic Strength

• The number of healthcare workers reporting that the economy is getting stronger rose nine percentage points to 35 percent. Thirty-seven percent of healthcare workers believe the economy is weakening, falling six percentage points from the previous quarter.