What factors are causing the average time to first shift for new healthcare professionals on Clipboard Health's platform to increase from 5 days to 8 days?

Introduction

The increase in average time to first shift for new healthcare professionals on Clipboard Health's platform from 5 to 8 days is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This metric directly impacts our ability to connect healthcare facilities with qualified professionals efficiently, potentially affecting patient care and our platform's value proposition. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be seasonal fluctuations. Has this increase occurred during a specific time of year or is it a consistent trend over time?

Why it matters: Seasonal patterns could indicate external factors rather than internal issues. Expected answer: The trend has been consistent over the past few months. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on adapting to cyclical demands; if consistent, we'd dig deeper into internal processes.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious if this increase is uniform across all types of healthcare professionals. Are certain specialties or experience levels more affected than others?

Why it matters: Identifying specific affected groups could pinpoint targeted issues. Expected answer: The increase is more pronounced among newly graduated nurses. Impact on approach: We'd focus on onboarding and matching processes for new graduates if this is the case.

• Thinking about recent changes, have there been any significant updates to the platform's matching algorithm or onboarding process in the last 3-6 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly correlate with the metric shift. Expected answer: A new skills assessment was added to the onboarding process two months ago. Impact on approach: We'd evaluate the impact of this new step on time to first shift.

• Considering market dynamics, has there been any notable change in the supply of healthcare professionals or demand from healthcare facilities recently?

Why it matters: Market imbalances could explain longer matching times. Expected answer: There's been a slight increase in professionals signing up, but demand has remained stable. Impact on approach: We'd investigate if the increased supply is causing delays in matching or if our processes aren't scaling effectively.