I recently attended a seminar that included topics on how to maximize the value of an MSP/VMS relationship. One of the most interesting take-aways from the meeting was the examination of what were the best as well as worst attributes of most MSP/VMS systems. Not surprisingly, the most valuable asset an MSP/VMS provides is uniformity of supply. Automating the ability to find the greatest number of qualified candidates at uniform rates and uniform competencies. On the negative side of MSP/VMS systems, the uniformity issue was also identified as it’s major weakness!
In the world of supply-chain logistics, there will always be a significant difference in the acquisition of durable medical supplies versus the onboarding of real live humans! It is at the point of order-entry that most problems seem to occur. Unlike the quality or cost of a needle or syringe or scrubs, the human requesting another human in the delivery of care wants more of a voice in the interaction.
It seems this desired “voice” takes several forms. In a pure supply and demand environment, compliance is about making all pieces of the supply criteria perfectly match components of the need that is demanded. Human interaction may too often be limited to the dry components that establish the requested profile. Understanding the need for human interaction, automated supply-chain vendors are working to allow for the “human touch” in the staffing world.
Making end-user portals configurable to best simulate preferred candidate retrieval and profile acquisition is a big step toward better integration. Just as no two people will drive a car the exact same way, there are extensive variables in how two different people manage exposure and selection of desired candidates. The inability to account for differences in process is a sure way to doom an MSP/VMS to lack of compliance.
