Want FREE Templates on Digital Transformation? Download our FREE compilation of 50+ slides. This is an exclusive promotion being run on LinkedIn.






Marcus Insights
Healthcare HR Strategies for Talent Acquisition and Retention


Need help finding what you need? Say hello to Marcus. Based on our proprietary MARC [?] technology, Marcus will search our vast database of management topics and best practice documents to identify the most relevant to your specific, unique business situation. This tool is still in beta. If you have any suggestions or questions, please let us know at support@flevy.com.

Role: VP of Human Resources Development
Industry: Healthcare Services Group

Situation: Managing human resources development for a healthcare services group, focusing on talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development. Internally, a high turnover rate and skill shortages in critical roles challenge us, while externally, the competitive job market and evolving healthcare industry standards demand constant adaptation. My role involves developing robust recruitment strategies, fostering a positive organizational culture, and implementing continuous professional development programs.

Question to Marcus:


How can we develop and implement comprehensive HR strategies to attract, retain, and develop talent while adapting to the evolving standards and competitive landscape of the healthcare industry?


Ask Marcus a Question

Based on your specific organizational details captured above, Marcus recommends the following areas for evaluation (in roughly decreasing priority). If you need any further clarification or details on the specific frameworks and concepts described below, please contact us: support@flevy.com.

Talent Management

Developing an effective Talent Management strategy is quintessential for the Healthcare Services Group to counter the high turnover and fill skill gaps. Prioritize creating clear career pathways, focusing on opportunities within healthcare that align with evolving standards.

Implement mentorship programs where experienced staff guide newcomers, fostering a sense of belonging and growth. Additionally, leverage Data Analytics to identify the characteristics of high-performing employees, which can be a reference for future recruitment and development efforts.

Learn more about Talent Management Data Analytics

Employee Engagement

Increasing Employee Engagement is vital for reducing turnover rates. Develop an engagement program that includes regular feedback loops, recognition schemes for exceptional work, and an open communication platform.

Employee engagement surveys can pinpoint areas needing improvement, while wellness programs can address the burnout prevalent in healthcare. Engaged employees are more likely to stay committed, reducing turnover costs and improving patient care quality.

Learn more about Employee Engagement

Leadership Development

Your Leadership Development program must empower current leaders and identify future ones. Provide training that highlights the unique challenges of the healthcare sector, including ethical decision-making and Crisis Management.

A coaching culture that encourages continuous learning can help retain top talent. Leaders should also be trained in Change Management to guide their teams through industry evolutions and help maintain a competitive edge.

Learn more about Change Management Crisis Management Leadership

Human Resources

Revamping the Human Resources framework to support strategic hiring, Performance Management, and Succession Planning is crucial. Adopt HR technologies that streamline recruitment and onboarding processes.

Introduce competency-based hiring to ensure candidates meet the technical and Soft Skills needed. Also, implement a performance management system that aligns with patient care and organizational goals, setting clear expectations and accountability.

Learn more about Performance Management Soft Skills Human Resources Succession Planning

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning for HR in healthcare must focus on medium to long-term workforce needs. Align HR Strategy with overall business objectives, considering demographic shifts in patient populations, regulatory changes, and technological advancements.

Scenario planning can prepare the organization for different future states, ensuring agility in the workforce strategy. This proactive approach helps in creating a workforce that can adapt and thrive in a changing healthcare landscape.

Learn more about HR Strategy Strategic Planning

Employee Training

Invest in Employee Training to address the skill shortages. Training programs should be tailored to the specific needs of the healthcare environment, including technological proficiencies as medical technologies evolve.

Consider partnerships with educational institutions for specialized training programs. Incorporate e-learning platforms to facilitate ongoing professional development, allowing employees to learn at their own pace and apply new skills immediately.

Learn more about Employee Training

Change Management

Embed Change Management processes to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape. This involves preparing the workforce for transformation, whether it's through the adoption of new technologies, processes, or standards.

Train HR and leadership teams in change management methodologies to ensure smooth transitions, minimize resistance, and maintain productivity. Communicate changes clearly and involve employees at every stage to foster buy-in and reduce turnover.

Learn more about Change Management

Performance Management

Revise the Performance Management system to align with the dynamic standards of the healthcare industry. Ensure it promotes a culture of high performance and accountability.

Goals should be clearly linked to patient outcomes and organizational objectives. Introduce a 360-degree feedback mechanism for a holistic assessment of employee performance, and use the insights gained to drive personal development plans.

Learn more about Performance Management

Workforce Training

Workforce Training programs should address not only the current skills gap but also anticipate future industry requirements. This forward-thinking approach ensures the workforce's capabilities evolve with healthcare innovations.

Emphasize training in patient care technologies, Data Privacy, and any new healthcare regulations. Develop a skills inventory to track progress and identify training gaps at both the individual and organizational level.

Learn more about Workforce Training Data Privacy

HR Strategy

Formulate an HR Strategy that anticipates and plans for industry shifts. This includes adopting a flexible staffing model to manage fluctuations in demand, such as a mix of full-time, part-time, and contract workers.

Incorporate strategic workforce planning tools to forecast future talent needs based on patient care trends and technological changes. An adaptable HR strategy ensures that the organization remains resilient and competitive.

Learn more about HR Strategy

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.


How did Marcus do? Let us know. This tool is still in beta. We would appreciate any feedback you could provide us: support@flevy.com.

If you have any other questions, you can ask Marcus again here.




Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab




Additional Marcus Insights