Jacksonville, Florida, May 30, 2008 – As the industry’s need for trained, experienced healthcare professionals grow, so does the need for innovative ways for hospitals fill the rising demand.

At St. Vincent’s HealthCare, RNs, respiratory staff, monitor techs, ACPs and unit clerks who want to work extra shifts or who want flexible schedules can now use a new real-time, web-based tool that helps them better select the hours they’d like to work. SVHC is the first healthcare provider in the region to use this technology.

Last month, SVHC implemented a staffing system called Concerro, formerly known as BidShift, that lets healthcare professionals log onto the Internet, see and request shifts that are available, and set their own hours, said Karen Darnell, CNO at SVHC. “It’s an electronic approach for filling open shifts, empowering associates and supporting excellence in staffing.

After registering, associates can log on from any computer that has Internet access. “That means they can schedule the extra hours they want to work and check their schedules from home, where many people are when they plan their family activities,” said Melissa Scott, Nurse Manager / Program Director.

As of mid-May, just three weeks into its inception, more than 1,000 healthcare professionals have signed up for the plan and an estimated 600 have actually used the tool in enhancing their schedules. “Associates like it because – not only are they choosing their extra hours, they get to know exactly where they will be needed at any given time,” said Jerry Boechler. “It’s that knowledge that helps drive retention and workplace satisfaction.”

“On the staffing side, the new system helps managers better schedule vacations, holidays and extra resources during emergencies, thus guaranteeing consistent quality patient care, which is our goal,” said Darnell.  “The new staffing model works extremely well now that St. Vincent’s HealthCare has added St. Luke’s Hospital to the fold. Nurses from both campuses are able to select shifts they’d like across the system.”

In addition, SVHC will utilize the online service to help grow and manage their newly created VIP float pool and reduce travelers and contract agency costs, and drive employee satisfaction and retention. SVHC will also be implementing Concerro’s agency management module to provide external staffing agencies with real-time visibility into designated open shifts conveniently over the Internet.

SVHC is the first healthcare system in the region to use the Concerro technology in meeting the needs of staffing. In other markets, the system helps hundreds of hospitals meet their staffing needs and reduce labor costs, while increasing staff satisfaction, retention and recruitment, said Graham Barnes, CEO of Concerro. “We are pleased to continue our expansion into the Southeast market, and look forward to partnering with St. Vincent’s HealthCare to help them succeed in their staffing initiatives.”