UNC Health Partners with ShiftMed to Launch Flex Software, Doubling Engagement of Internal Workforce Resources

AI-Powered platform launches at top health system to increase shift participation, streamline workforce scheduling, and reduce external reliance on costly contract labor

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ShiftMed, a leader in healthcare workforce technology, announced the successful rollout of its ShiftMed Flex platform at UNC Health, transforming workforce scheduling across the network's 258 clinics. Since its implementation, internal float pool participation has doubled, with staff increasing their average shifts from 4 per month to 8 per month, resulting in over 3,500 shifts filled and a 100% increase in shifts worked.

ShiftMed Flex is a custom-branded platform that uses AI-powered Intelligent Routing™ to match clinicians' availability with open shifts, prioritizing internal resources before turning to external staffing options. This approach improves scheduling efficiency while reducing reliance on costly contract labor, offering a sustainable solution for healthcare systems. ShiftMed Flex achieves a 90% match rate, ensuring that clinicians are matched to shifts they prefer, driving engagement and satisfaction.

"Since implementing ShiftMed Flex, the ease of matching clinician availability with posted shifts has been unparalleled. The platform improves efficiency and encourages our internal pool to take on more shifts, enabling us to provide better care coverage across our clinics," said Leighanne Watson, Outpatient Clinical Manager at UNC Health. "We can see real-time availability across 300 teammates, match clinicians to shifts automatically, and support them in picking up extra shifts when needed. This level of visibility and functionality has completely streamlined our scheduling process."

The results from UNC Health showcase the value of prioritizing internal teams to stabilize workforce management. ShiftMed Flex includes advanced features like mobile credentialing, onboarding, instant payment technology, and the ShiftMed Rides module, which integrates Uber to support clinicians' transportation needs. By removing barriers to shift participation, the platform has shown increased engagement among existing staff.

Workforce stability often hinges on maximizing internal resources while minimizing reliance on external staffing. ShiftMed Flex helps hospitals build and strengthen their internal capabilities, providing more visibility and flexibility to both clinicians and administrators.

"Healthcare workforce dynamics have shifted, and hospitals must adapt by leveraging in-house resources to provide flexibility and cost efficiency," said Todd Walrath, CEO of ShiftMed. "By investing in internal float pools and prioritizing their engagement, health systems like UNC Health can ensure a more reliable and sustainable workforce."

Building on the success of its clinic launch, UNC Health plans to expand ShiftMed Flex to inpatient sites and develop an external per diem pool to enhance coverage and care delivery across its network. ShiftMed's platform continues to redefine workforce management, driving better resource utilization, cost savings, and employee satisfaction. For more information, visit www.shiftmed.com.

About ShiftMed:

ShiftMed's On-Demand and Flex Platform solutions enable healthcare providers to build internal staffing capabilities within Acute, Post-Acute, and Surgery Settings. By prioritizing internal teams first, healthcare leaders can bring flexibility to their workforce while reducing reliance on external staffing resources like travel and contract labor. ShiftMed has deployed the largest number of float pool resources in the industry, saving hospitals more than $250 million annually in contract labor costs.

For more information, visit www.shiftmed.com.

About UNC Health:

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of nearly 20 hospitals and more than 900 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. UNC Health provided more than $800 million in Uncompensated Charity Care over the past five years. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety, and the overall patient experience.

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SOURCE ShiftMed