Problem

HealthFirst, a regional healthcare network operating 23 medical facilities across the Pacific Northwest, faced a critical talent shortage in specialized healthcare roles. The organization needed to fill positions for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, radiologists, and other specialized clinicians across multiple locations. Traditional job boards like Indeed and Monster were flooded with generic healthcare postings, making it nearly impossible for HealthFirst to stand out to qualified candidates. The average time to fill specialized positions was 67 days well above the industry average of 45 days. The recruitment team was spending $12,000-$18,000 per hire on recruitment agencies, with mixed results. Many candidates sourced through agencies weren't a good cultural fit or lacked the specific certifications required. The organization also struggled with geographic challenges: candidates in Seattle weren't seeing opportunities in Portland, and vice versa, even though HealthFirst was willing to help with relocation. Additionally, the passive candidate pool experienced clinicians who weren't actively job searching but might be open to better opportunities was completely untapped. The HR team lacked the tools and visibility to build relationships with these passive candidates over time. Negative candidate experiences, including slow response times and lack of communication about application status, were damaging HealthFirst's reputation in the tight-knit healthcare professional community.

Solution

HealthFirst partnered with MyJobBoard in early 2023 to create a specialized healthcare recruitment platform tailored to their unique needs. The solution began with a comprehensive analysis of their hiring patterns, candidate sources, and pain points. MyJobBoard's team worked closely with HealthFirst's recruitment leadership to design a custom job board that would serve as both a recruitment tool and a talent community hub. Key components of the solution included: First, a branded healthcare career portal that showcased HealthFirst's mission, values, employee testimonials, and benefits package, creating an authentic employer brand that resonated with healthcare professionals. Second, specialized job posting templates for different healthcare roles (nursing, therapy, radiology, etc.) that highlighted required certifications, shift schedules, and career advancement opportunities. Third, multi-location job posting capabilities that allowed candidates to search by facility, city, or region, with clear information about relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses. Fourth, automated distribution to healthcare-specific job boards including Health eCareers, Nurse.com, and regional healthcare professional associations, ensuring maximum visibility to the right audience. Fifth, a talent pool feature that allowed HealthFirst to build and maintain relationships with passive candidates clinicians who expressed interest but weren't ready to apply immediately. The platform sent periodic updates about new opportunities, facility expansions, and career development programs. Sixth, streamlined application process optimized for mobile devices, recognizing that many healthcare professionals browse opportunities on their phones during breaks. Seventh, automated communication workflows that kept candidates informed at every stage, from application received to interview scheduling to final decision, reducing the "black hole" experience that plagues healthcare recruitment. Eighth, integration with HealthFirst's credentialing system to pre-screen candidates for required licenses and certifications, saving significant time in the vetting process. The platform also included analytics to track which job boards, posting strategies, and messaging resonated most with different candidate segments.

Results

• Time to fill specialized positions reduced from 67 days to 22 days (67% improvement)
• Application volume increased by 150% (from average 12 applications per posting to 30)
• Cost per hire decreased by 28% (from $14,500 average to $10,440)
• Passive candidate engagement: Built talent pool of 1,200+ qualified healthcare professionals
• Offer acceptance rate improved from 72% to 89%
• Candidate satisfaction score increased from 3.5/5 to 4.7/5
• Reduced dependency on recruitment agencies by 65%
• Geographic reach expanded: Successfully hired candidates from 8 new states
• Quality of hire improved: 94% of new hires passed 90-day performance reviews (vs. 78% previously)
• Recruiter efficiency: Each recruiter now manages 40% more open positions simultaneously

“The healthcare recruitment landscape is incredibly competitive, and we were losing top talent to organizations that could move faster. MyJobBoard changed that completely. The specialized platform helped us stand out by showcasing our culture and values, and we've built relationships with over 1,200 qualified professionals in our talent pool. We're now filling specialized positions in 22 days instead of 67, and the quality of our hires has improved significantly.”