Reference no: EM133040688

Topics: Summary: Classroom Application: Questions: 

Recruitment, Burnout, Labor Supply 

Surging demand for their testing services has exacerbated longstanding staffing challenges at medical laboratories. The labs are facing nonstop demand for coronavirus testing and are trying to find solutions to address labor shortages and prevent employee burnout. Labs have increased salaries and brought in traveling specialists to help ease the workload. They are investing in technology to allow for automation of some processes and are cross-training workers to perform different roles. Working long hours with no end in sight for their heavy work load is leaving workers frustrated. Relatively low salaries compared to other health-care professions with similar education requirements also contribute to laboratory workers leaving the field to pursue other careers. The lack of qualified workers means that labs may have to limit the types of services they provide or may not be able to open additional labs. 

You can use this article to highlight the critical role of staffing in the successful implementation of firm strategy. You can have the students discuss ways to address staffing shortages and to retain in-demand talent. You can also use this article to discuss the factors that contribute to job burnout and to discuss the impact of job burnout. You could link this article to the related article "Cities Are Losing Police Chiefs and Struggling to Hire New Ones" to further explore the issue of trying to fill positions when there is a lack of qualified or interested job candidates. 

• What factors contribute to the longstanding staffing shortages at medical laboratories? 
• What actions have medical laboratories taken to address staffing shortages during the pandemic? 
• Why do medical laboratories need to be concerned about employee burnout? 
• What are the advantages and disadvantages when states require state-specific licenses for medical professionals? 
• What actions should the medical community take to generate more interest in careers in medical laboratories?