How Technology Can Help with Caregiver Recruitment and Retention

Caregiver turnover is at an all-time high. Learn how to counter this trend with easy-to-incorporate tips that leverage technology. 

Caregiver turnover reached 79.2% in 2023, and that’s an all-time high. Although this is an unfortunate statistic, as we head into a new year, it’s an opportunity to do better and find new ways to do things. 

Here are some of the strategies we’ll talk through today: 

• Utilize an Applicant Tracking System (or ATS)
• Implement mobile-friendly application processes
• Look into caregiver incentive and reward programs

Utilize an Applicant Tracking System.

ATS systems are no longer an optional part of the home care technology stack. If you’re not tracking each candidate’s information, referral source, and collecting their application in one spot (in an online format) you’re likely losing out on candidates. 

These systems should either already be built into your home care agency management system or seamlessly integrate with what you use.

Competition is fierce in the home care space. Candidates are not waiting around. Using a high-quality ATS is an important part of keeping a job applicant’s process moving quickly (and seamlessly). 

Aim to respond to applicants as soon as possible, ideally within the hour or, at most, one business day. 

Caregivers might only have time on the weekends (outside of work) to look through job opportunities. A responsive process—even if it’s automated—that gets back to applicants promptly is key to keeping them warm and on the radar. 

In some instances, you can also offer right-fit candidates an opportunity to book an initial conversation after they submit their application (if they meet the criteria). Once you’ve gathered their information, this is the perfect time to nurture applicants, so in case you don’t have the right client for them or they have outstanding documents, they keep you top-of-mind. 

Implement mobile-friendly caregiver application processes.

When was the last time you applied for a job online? What’s more, have you applied for jobs online at your agency? 

The process can feel tedious when someone has to upload their resume and re-enter the information manually in a long-form application. Moving to a mobile-friendly application process increases your chances of interested caregivers finishing it and submitting it in one sitting. 

Did you know the average job seeker looks at a job posting for 30 seconds? 

This makes it important to have not just a mobile-friendly app but also an attractive job post that keeps caregivers locked in long enough to fill out an application before they exit the app or browser. 

By lowering barriers and making it easier to apply, you can reach more caregivers and have more to choose from to improve the quality of your recruitment pipeline. 

Look into caregiver incentive and reward programs. 

Over the years, you’ve probably refined your caregiver recruitment process, and better understand who your ideal caregiver is. Have you thought about what the caregiver journey looks like over time? Does it improve? 

When a caregiver feels that their career might be plateauing, this can create a dynamic of complacency and doing the bare minimum or “quiet quitting.” Caregivers may also work with multiple agencies or with a senior living company and your agency. 

By incorporating an incentive or reward system for a job well done, you can separate your agency from the crowd with a stellar employer brand. This can be one strong way for you to improve your caregiver retention rates, while improving word-of-mouth and attracting new caregivers to your agency as well. 

What could this program look like? 

• $5 or $10 gift cards for caregivers who clock-in on time for a month.
• Entering caregivers into a raffle for PTO. 
• Caregiver mentorship training and programs

The program you create is up to you. There are some existing caregiver incentive and gamification programs platforms that you can try, like Carecrown and Ava. 

How are you going to use technology to power your growth next year?

Your agency management system should be a powerful tool that collates the information you need to stay on top of your agency’s success. And identify opportunities where you could be doing better.

If your current home care agency management system doesn’t have ATS features or mobile-friendly application functionalities, consider switching to CareTime for all of this and more. 

Ready to make the switch? Schedule your demo of CareTime today.