As COVID-19 cases surge across the United States, healthcare organizations are ramping up their hiring of clinical, support, and administrative staff.

“We’re fielding an unprecedented number of requests in New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area,” says Amanda Cruse, a Senior Managing Director within ES Healthcare, a division of The Execu|Search Group. “Just over 500 COVID-19 hiring needs came in during the course of one week. With that number quickly growing, it’s clear that healthcare facilities need our support.”

For example, we had immediate needs to assist with COVID-19 screening for at least a month. In addition to front line clinical staff, our clients were looking for non-clinical administrators to assist with site management, registration, and traffic control.

Of course, clinical professionals coming in with prior experience in infectious diseases—such as those employed during the H1N1 epidemic in 2009—and those who have obtained training on their own, are in especially high demand.

In addition, hospitals are in need of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, x-ray technicians, and non-clinical support staff. On the therapy side, we’re seeing the emergence of telepractice as a result of public and specialized schools being closed.

“Ultimately, those looking to take on many of these COVID-19 hiring needs will have to ensure they do everything they can to familiarize themselves with the virus and its spread,” says Amanda. “Regardless of your title or involvement with patients, training is first and foremost in importance to ensure everyone stays safe.”

In addition to doing your own due diligence on COVID-19 training resources, many facilities are providing their own training to front line staff and administrators. This training includes learning how to properly put on and remove protective suits and gear, as well as getting fit tested for a N95 mask.

“We’re so appreciative of all the medical and non-clinical professionals who have stepped up to help our community in this time of need,” says Amanda. “We’ve completely staffed many of these projects, and wouldn’t have been able to do so without our incredible network. With these COVID-19 hiring needs evolving daily, we’ll continue to need their support in the weeks to come.”