Children’s Minnesota is turning to an app-based staffing agency to address ongoing workforce shortages.

Last week, the pediatric health care system announced that it plans to use Virginia-based platform ShiftMed to help fill scheduling gaps. ShiftMed, which is essentially a staffing agency that runs on a mobile app, says it provides a “network of local, qualified healthcare professionals” to help meet “on-demand” workforce needs.

In Minnesota, ShiftMed’s current customer base includes Hennepin Healthcare and Winona Health.

Yinka Ajose, senior director clinical operations at Children’s Minnesota, emphasized that the ShiftMed platform will only supplement – and not replace – the health system’s existing staff. In an interview with TCB, Ajose said Children’s has not yet implemented the ShiftMed system, but aims to do so in the first quarter, likely by mid-June.

Ajose said the platform will help Children’s withstand any sudden surges in patients in the months ahead. “We want to make sure we’re ready and able to serve, not turning any kids away,” she said.

The ShiftMed deal isn’t expected to change Children’s existing contracts with the Minnesota Nurses Association or other organized labor groups. Ajose said the platform is ideal for shorter-term work assignments. She sees the platform as providing flexibility for the hospital.

Ajose declined to share the financial value of the partnership with ShiftMed. But, she noted that, as part of its due diligence, Children’s looked into a number of platforms and agencies before landing on ShiftMed. The health system also researched what providers in other states are doing.

Worker shortages remain persistent in the health care industry. According to Minnesota Hospitals Association data, health care institutions across the state saw a worker vacancy rate around 17% in 2023.