Needs
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a drop in routine patient visits, and as a result, thousands of medical workers have been furloughed or laid off. Meanwhile, other healthcare providers in Louisiana working directly on COVID response were experiencing acute staffing shortages, impacting their abilities to treat patients. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) reached out to U.S. Digital Response for help.
Our approach
Within two weeks, LDH and USDR volunteers launched Louisiana Health Work Connect. This pilot program helps facilities with acute healthcare staffing shortages fill vacancies with qualified, out-of-work candidates. USDR volunteers built the technology and helped the LDH team with set-up and implementation. The volunteers conducted user research and testing with healthcare providers, and connected the LDH team with states that are working on similar programs. Within two weeks, over 100 nursing homes and hospitals had posted hundreds of job openings on the site. In that same time, over 230 candidates signed up looking for work, many of whom are in in-demand practice areas such as intensive care unit registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants.
“The volunteers’ technical expertise and assistance, from start to finish, is helping our state fight back against COVID-19 by helping us support getting medical services to Louisiana residents.”
Dr. Alex Billioux
Assistant Secretary
Louisiana Office of Public Health
