The healthcare staffing crisis has posed persistent challenges, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this ongoing issue, the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in collaboration with Matchwell, a Medical Solutions brand, has launched the nation’s first state resource pool designed to address workforce supply concerns. This initiative, called the Indiana Resource Pool, offers a groundbreaking solution for healthcare leaders across Indiana by providing access to a local, flexible workforce of pre-vetted clinicians.
A Strategic Response to Workforce Shortages
Staffing shortages, particularly among nurses and specialized Allied health roles, have been a growing concern for hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide. Indiana is no exception, and its leaders recognized the need for a new approach. The Indiana Resource Pool allows IHA members to directly access local clinicians who are looking for shift or contract work, providing flexibility and scalability to meet varying staffing needs.
According to Robert Crowe, EVP of Per Diem and Local Workforce Strategies at Medical Solutions and Matchwell Founder, this platform is a critical step forward in giving healthcare facilities more control over their workforce. Since its inception in 2019, Matchwell has aimed to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and clinicians seeking flexible work. This new resource pool reflects that commitment by creating a streamlined, statewide system for managing staffing needs.
A Flexible, Tech-Enabled Solution
The Indiana Resource Pool operates through an end-to-end, do-it-yourself platform that offers transparency and ease of use. Healthcare leaders can view available clinicians, assess their qualifications, and engage them for immediate or future needs, gaining instant access to and enhanced oversight of local clinicians seeking flexible work.
The tool goes beyond simply connecting hospitals with available staff. It allows facilities to hire clinicians directly onto their payroll or use integrated services like a W2 payroll option, making it versatile for different operational models. Hospitals that leverage the Indiana Resource Pool can strengthen community ties by utilizing local talent.
Benefits for Healthcare Facilities and Clinicians
One of the key advantages of the Indiana Resource Pool is its mutual benefits for both hospitals and clinicians. The platform is a robust resource for healthcare facilities to alleviate staffing shortages without the added administrative burden. The flexibility of scaling up staffing during busy periods or emergencies—without committing to full-time hires—is particularly valuable.
- Experience the Ease of One-Click Access to Pre-Vetted, Local Clinicians
- Access a Customized Platform Tailored to Your Systems, Processes, Workflows, Etc.
- Reduce Talent Management and Acquisition Costs, Saving up to 25%
- De-Risk Your Hires with Matchwell as Your Optional W2 Employer of Record
Meanwhile, clinicians benefit from having direct access to shift or contract work on their terms via the Matchwell app. This flexibility aligns with the growing trend of healthcare workers seeking more control over their schedules and workloads. As the platform grows, it is expected to include more positions and potentially even expand into non-clinical roles that are critical to hospital operations.
The Road Ahead: Expanding Adoption and Functionality
The IHA is focused on increasing the number of hospitals that actively use the platform. Greene County General Hospital, an early adopter, has already successfully placed clinicians through the pool. More hospital associations are increasingly showing interest, and the IHA anticipates increased participation and broader adoption as they become familiar with the platform’s capabilities.
“We’re excited about the platform’s potential to address staffing shortages in a way that supports healthcare within Indiana,” said Robin Rose, Director of Human Resources at Greene County General Hospital. Rose also mentioned that the platform’s ease of use has been a major advantage, although the number of clinicians in certain regions is still growing.
Indiana’s approach paves the way for a new era in healthcare staffing, one where flexible, tech-enabled solutions play a key role in maintaining high-quality patient care.
“This is an emergency preparedness tool,” Crowe explained. “If we can get all the clinicians across the state into one database, it gives IHA the option to volunteer the state’s resources, whether these are hospital association members or other entities partnering with the hospital association, it now has a single button to press to engage and deploy clinicians across the state based on geography, and get clinicians with the right experience into the right place to respond.”
A Vital Resource for Indiana Healthcare Leaders
For healthcare leaders in Indiana, the introduction of the Indiana Resource Pool represents an important opportunity to address staffing shortages in a sustainable and efficient way. By offering a centralized, flexible solution, the IHA and Matchwell are helping hospitals better meet the needs of their patients while empowering clinicians with greater autonomy over their work. As this initiative grows, it holds the potential to reshape the future of healthcare staffing in Indiana and beyond.
Matchwell, now part of the Medical Solutions healthcare talent ecosystem, is an agency alternative that matches clinicians with top healthcare facilities looking for local and per diem talent. Start a conversation today!