Efficient workforce management is a critical need for healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages and rising labor costs. CareRev’s IRP+ offers a streamlined solution, helping facilities optimize their internal resources and reduce dependency on external staffing agencies. We connected with Brandon Blackman, Product Manager at CareRev, to explore what sets IRP+ apart, its recent showcase at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, and its transformative potential for the industry.
IRP+: Redefining Internal Staffing Efficiency
IRP+ is designed to simplify the complex process of managing staff schedules by prioritizing full-time, part-time, and per diem employees before resorting to external staffing. This approach not only reduces labor costs but also provides healthcare professionals with more control over their schedules.
At its core, IRP+ addresses the need for healthcare facilities to manage internal resources effectively, minimizing the administrative overhead typically associated with scheduling. With its focus on leveraging existing staff, IRP+ helps facilities fill shifts faster while reducing costs tied to external agencies.
Partnering with Bergen New Bridge: Laying the Groundwork for IRP+
The partnership between CareRev and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center began two years ago, driven by the hospital’s interest in adopting more agile staffing solutions. After achieving high fill rates using CareRev's marketplace technology, Bergen sought to extend this success to their internal staffing processes, setting the stage for IRP+.
"Bergen New Bridge was the ideal partner," shares Brandon. "Their commitment to innovation and willingness to integrate new technology provided a perfect testing ground for a first-of-its-kind solution like IRP+."
The Showcase Experience: Demonstrating Real-Time Capabilities
The IRP+ showcase on October 1st at Bergen New Bridge was designed to highlight the platform’s ability to enhance staffing workflows. During the demonstration, the CareRev team temporarily onboarded nurse leaders as users, posting mock shifts to show the platform's real-time capabilities. Within seconds, participants received notifications on their phones, allowing them to claim and cancel shifts seamlessly.
This hands-on experience underscored the ease of use and efficiency of the platform, with features like self-scheduling resonating strongly with the team, particularly given their focus on improving work-life balance for their staff.
Navigating Integration Challenges
While the demonstration was well-received, integrating IRP+ into an existing hospital environment presented unique challenges. Compatibility with Bergen New Bridge’s instance of Dimensions (Thier Kronos timekeeping and attendance system) required careful coordination, along with efforts to address initial resistance from healthcare staff accustomed to traditional scheduling methods.
"Transitioning from a manual to an automated system is a big leap," notes Brandon. "But the potential for time savings and reduced administrative workload made a compelling case for change."
Tailored Benefits for Bergen New Bridge
As New Jersey’s largest hospital, Bergen New Bridge faces a high volume of staffing needs. IRP+ offers a tailored solution that allows the facility to maximize its internal workforce, providing opportunities for staff to pick up additional shifts without increasing reliance on external agencies. This approach not only speeds up shift fills but also enhances job satisfaction by giving employees more control over their schedules.
Feedback from Bergen New Bridge has been positive, with staff appreciating how IRP+ simplifies scheduling and reduces the administrative burden of manual processes.
Future Enhancements: What’s Next for IRP+?
Looking ahead, CareRev has an exciting roadmap for IRP+. Planned updates include in-app scheduling, enhanced caregiver management, and advanced data reporting and forecasting. These new features aim to further improve staffing efficiency by offering predictive analytics that help facilities anticipate gaps and adjust accordingly.
"We're particularly excited about the enhanced data reporting capabilities," says Brandon. "It will give healthcare administrators deeper insights into staffing trends and help them make more informed decisions."
A Strategic Partnership Driving Innovation
The success of the IRP+ showcase at Bergen New Bridge is a significant milestone for CareRev. This partnership has become a proof of concept, demonstrating how IRP+ can be effectively implemented in large healthcare settings to streamline staffing processes.
Bergen New Bridge’s adoption of IRP+ reflects a broader trend in the industry towards embracing technology-driven solutions that empower healthcare staff while improving operational efficiency. For CareRev, this collaboration is a critical step to showcasing its capabilities as a comprehensive workforce management platform.
Preparing for the Showcase: Collaboration and Alignment
The preparation for the IRP+ showcase was a collaborative effort between CareRev and the Bergen New Bridge team. Extensive testing, mock demos, and close alignment with the hospital’s workflows ensured that the presentation highlighted the platform’s strengths, focusing on real-time scheduling updates and increasing shift fill rates.
This meticulous preparation was key to demonstrating the practical benefits of IRP+, allowing the Bergen New Bridge team to see firsthand how the platform could transform their staffing processes.
Standing Out in a Crowded Market
IRP+ stands out by seamlessly uniting all talent sources—per diem, float pools, part-time, full-time, agency staff, and CareRev Marketplace—into one flexible pool, with unmatched simplicity in implementation and use . IRP+ is designed to help healthcare providers tap into their existing workforce effectively, reducing costs while improving staff satisfaction. Its seamless integration with third-party systems and customizable self-scheduling features make it a uniquely flexible and user-friendly solution.
"The ability to optimize internal staffing before considering external sources is a game-changer for many facilities," Brandon explains. "It directly addresses the need to reduce labor costs while maintaining quality care."
Key Takeaways from the Showcase
Reflecting on the event, the most impactful moment for the Bergen New Bridge team was seeing the real-time scheduling updates in action. The automated shift broadcasts and instant notifications highlighted the efficiency gains that IRP+ can bring, resonating with both administrators and healthcare professionals alike.
"Watching the participants claim shifts in real-time was a turning point," Brandon recalls. "It demonstrated just how much time and effort could be saved with a streamlined, automated approach to scheduling."
Conclusion: Paving the Way for the Future of Workforce Management
The launch of IRP+ represents a new chapter in workforce management for healthcare facilities. By focusing on internal resource optimization and reducing dependency on external agencies, IRP+ is setting a new standard in the industry. As the platform continues to evolve with upcoming features, its potential to transform staffing processes and improve job satisfaction is only expected to grow.
CareRev’s collaboration with Bergen New Bridge has not only showcased the power of IRP+ but also laid the foundation for future innovations. With the success of this partnership, IRP+ is poised to lead the way in redefining how healthcare facilities manage their most valuable resource: their people.
