Contrary to popular belief, contractor maintenance services and full-time union employees can work together. In fact, these business relationships can be mutually beneficial and can save the employing healthcare organization money at the same time.
Contracted Maintenance Technicians Are There To Help
Contractual maintenance services, such as those offered by Tru-Serve, are not out to take over union jobs. Far from it. In fact, contracted maintenance services can help union maintenance staff meet the demands of their job. Here are a few ways Tru-Serve contracted services help healthcare organizations meet their maintenance needs:
- Fill gaps left by lack of available full-time staff. Vacations, sick time and short-term disability are just a few examples of when full-time union staff could be out of work for an extended period of time. When that happens, the maintenance work still needs to get done. Instead of dividing the work between the remaining employees (who all have their own jobs to do as well) or letting it go until the absent employee returns, a contracted maintenance service can step in and fill in the gap for as little or as long a time as is needed. Once the employee returns, the contract ends and the full timer steps back in to his or her role without having to play catch up on work that otherwise might not have been taken care of.
- Eliminate overtime expenses. Healthcare organizations can eliminate costly union overtime expenses by contracting extra work out. Let the contracted service prep for and clean up after the annual gala, for example, if it’s going to push internal maintenance staff into overtime to do the work.
- Stay within the allotted number of FTEs (full time equivalents). Do you have more work than you have staff to take care of it? Use contracted maintenance technicians to get the job done without adding additional headcount.
- Save money over union wages. Non-union contracted services will almost always cost less than the same service provided by union members.
- Complete special, short-term projects without overloading existing staff. Contracted services can be used to handle the extra work that comes with building a new clinic or expanding a clinic. Rather than overload existing staff with things like painting or making sure the building is ready for inspection, contract that work out and let your full time employees handle their regular duties.
Supplement FTEs With Contracted Services
Healthcare organizations are limited in the number of FTE (full-time equivalent) staff they can employ. In most cases, the number of FTEs encompasses the entire healthcare organization, all of its hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, specialists, etc. All staffing needs must be met by staying within the number of FTEs allowed. This can make things difficult if clinics expand or new locations are opened that add to the maintenance staff’s workload. If locations are spread out and require staff to travel to different sites as part of their route, adding a new location can add costs associated with increased travel and overtime needed to get the work done. As a contract service, Tru-Serve maintenance techs are not counted as FTEs. This allows clinics and facilities to meet their maintenance needs without going over their allotted number of full-time staff.
Small Clinic Services
Smaller clinics may not be big enough to warrant their own full time maintenance person. In these cases, they’re often added to someone else’s route or get service only when needed, not routinely. Contracted maintenance services eliminate this problem. Under a contract, maintenance or cleaning services can be handled without adding more staff. Services can be set up to take place as often as needed, at whatever time is most convenient for the clinic. Any kind of maintenance can be handled, from regular cleaning service to electrical and plumbing inspections and more. All in all, a smaller clinic can enjoy all of the same benefits of having a maintenance FTE without the cost.
The beauty of working with Tru-Serve as a contracted service provider is, not only can you have routine services arranged, but also unexpected needs and even emergencies can be dealt with promptly too. Simply send us a service request outlining your needs. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Lower wages, no benefits costs to worry about and no overtime payments make contracted services a very cost-effective move for healthcare facilities of any size. Tru-Serve’s contracted maintenance services in healthcare facilities should be considered a supplement to full-time union staff, not a threat.
