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Welcome to today’s Antony Hirst consulting. We will talk about the cost to get Allied Health Professionals.
In recent months I’ve been taking many calls from practice owners who are somewhat bewildered and astonished that applicants to their job advertisements are seeking terms and conditions which, compared to the past, are extremely favorable and lucrative.
“Not in my day”…. I’ve literally heard it a million times. No exaggeration!
To some people, it seems they are pushing the boundaries.
However, my discussion often goes down the line of Economics 101: supply and demand.
At the moment, there’s an incredible demand for physiotherapy services and the supply of physiotherapists is low. As a result, wages and salaries, and the terms and conditions under which people are employed, will probably increase.
Don’t take it personally.
The physiotherapist applying for your jobs know that they have a specific valued skilled set and they are prepared to shop around.
They can.
They should.
I would.
So if you want to keep them, or get them in the first place, be prepared to pay more than what you have historically done.
It’s a sign of the times.
Ultimately, it will probably lead to an increase in patient fees. In other words, if the cost to provide the service goes up, the person receiving the service is probably going to have to pay more. This is not a bad thing as, in most cases, I believe our profession undervalues what we do, and our fees are subsequently too low.
Maybe there’s a silver lining in this. Maybe the fact that the physiotherapists applying for jobs are wanting better pay and conditions will change our perception of what we offer and the value of what we do.
Maybe business owners will have a look at their operations in terms of avenues to reduce costs in other areas to ensure sustainability. Maybe it will make owners think about the ‘fee for service treatments’ versus ‘packages of care’.
In my experience when the status quo is challenged, good things generally happen.
Change can lead to better outcomes for all staff, patients, and practice owners. Even the Health Professionals as a whole.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries or you would like to discuss this further either via my mobile (0439347339) or email (antony@antonyhirstconsulting.com.au).
Kind Regards,
Antony Hirst
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