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Ro-Anna Santiago

Workforce Dilemma: Addressing Therapists' High Turnover Rates

High turnover rates among therapists are a serious issue in the health community—and one that we must address as business owners, practitioners, and clients alike.


Therapists are a critical part of the U.S. workforce, with a projected growth rate of 20% according to the U.S Department of Labor. However, they have one of the highest turnover rates among professionals in the healthcare industry.


If you are a business owner or manager, it's important to address your therapists' high turnover rate, but how should you go about it? There are several factors that can help you understand why your staff is leaving their jobs. This article explores these issues and provides solutions to address this problem.


The Workforce Problem

As a healthcare professional, you’re all too familiar with the workforce dilemma that faces therapists today: one in four practitioners leaves practice within three years of graduating, with some reporting turnover rates as high as 50%. A mix of factors is at play, including physician-led healthcare changes and millennial burnout, said Jeff Alderman, PT, who helps develop educational programs for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).


While the US healthcare industry is still a growing market in our country, with rapid career opportunities for therapists. The problem seems to be that the high turnover rates are far greater than most other professions. Is there a solution to this workforce dilemma?


Healthcare Workers

How to Address PT, OT and ST High Turnover Rate


Identify their Needs

By addressing their staffing needs, they can improve their ability to provide quality care to patients. This can lead to happier patients and more satisfied clinicians, which increases productivity and decreases employee attrition.


Provide Constant Training

One way you can reduce therapist’s high turnover rates is by providing them with adequate training, mentorship and professional development opportunities


Healthy Workplace and Fun Culture

Keeping staff happy is the best way to ensure your organization is staffed with qualified and committed professionals. It’s important that you create a supportive workplace culture for your staff because when therapists are unhappy, their patients most likely are as well.


Offer Bonuses and Regular 1 on 1

Optimizing your healthcare environment can help reduce turnover. Consider offering a higher starting salary and annual bonuses to motivate quality staff retention. Utilize one-on-one conversations to catch up and retain outstanding employees.


Connect with a Staffing Agency

A staffing agency like Steadfast Rehabilitation Services can help you retain quality employees by helping you identify why they leave and how to fix it. We can help you identify problems within your organization and develop strategies to improve employee satisfaction and reduce turnover rates.


Medical Staff Meeting

The core issue of high staff turnover rates is the loss of a qualified employee and a significant investment in time, money and resources.


Employers can address high turnover rates by considering what motivates the employee, their mindset and work environment and offering a competitive salary and benefits.


Steadfast Rehabilitation Services can help create work environments that retain talent and develop skills for advancement. If you are experiencing a high therapist turnover rate, send us a message to learn more about our staffing services.

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