GUEST BLOG: What Healthcare IT Professionals Really Want and Expect from a Consulting Firm

June 19, 2013
In order to attract today’s top talent in healthcare IT, consulting firms first need to understand what healthcare IT professionals want and expect from them.

From the moment initial contact is made, consultants assimilate information about a firm, form an opinion and make the decision whether or not to pursue working with them. In fact, they are making judgments about every aspect of the company, from the staff to company culture. Ultimately, their goal is to ensure that working with a particular consulting firm will yield the best and most positive experience.

But what exactly constitutes a positive experience? From our healthcare IT industry expertise and many conversations with healthcare IT consultants, we found that outside of a competitive pay policy, there are seven things they really want: 

  1. Responsiveness: There is only one chance to make a first impression and there is no better way to build trust and gain attention than to be the first company to follow up with an in-demand candidate.
  2. Frequent Updates and Communication: Consultants want to be a priority. They want to maintain regular two-way communication and be informed of any news or updates as well as provide feedback and suggestions. They desire open channels of communication in order to stay on top of issues and maintain a trust relationship.
  3. Industry Knowledge: Consultants expect a healthcare IT consulting firm to understand the positions they're trying to fill. They respect firms that have in-depth industry knowledge and present only those opportunities that complement their hard skills, soft skills, experience and qualifications.
  4. The Personal Touch: Even though technology is making remote and mobile communication so much easier and more convenient, consultants still want friendly, professional and personal interaction. Human contact, input and live interaction is what they desire over being treated simply as a business transaction.
  5. A Realistic Job Description: Consultants want a clear picture of the work that will be required of them on the job. In other words, their job description should be accurate and provide sufficient details about duties, responsibilities and expectations. They need to decide if it’s a good fit for their qualifications, lifestyle and career.
  6. Timeframes for Project Starts and Stops:  When an opportunity is presented to a consultant, they expect to hear a clear timeframe of when the project begins and ends. However, IT consultants realize that adhering to a timeline isn’t always easy. Technical glitches to unexpected complications can sometimes throw an IT project off-track. In this event, they expect to hear about timeline changes immediately.
  7. A Reputable Firm:  A firm’s reputation is one of its most important assets. It can mean the difference between success and failure. Consultants want to know who you are as an organization and how you are perceived in the marketplace. They’re checking out a firm’s website, social media presence and what others are saying.  

The most successful placements and positive experiences happen when a consulting firm’s recruiting activities and processes focus on meeting the needs and expectations of healthcare IT consultants. These in-demand professionals want to be assured that consulting firms understand them, support them and “have their backs” right from the start. 

Anthony Caponi is the Vice President of Sales for Direct Consulting Associates; (440) 996-0863; [email protected] or www.dc-associates.com

Sponsored Recommendations

Improving Workplace Safety and Patient Care in Behavioral Health

In 2023, Vail Health enhanced safety in their behavioral health clinic, but the impact went beyond their expectations. Read their case study to see how prioritizing workplace ...

Transforming Hospital Capacity Through Smarter Patient Progression Strategies

Helping patients move seamlessly through every stage of their care, from admission to discharge, is critical to ensuring patient safety, improving outcomes, and optimizing capacity...

Beyond the AI Buzz: How Clinicians Can Leverage AI for Value-Based Success

Watch on-demand to explore the impact of implementing AI in primary care settings to reduce burnout and thrive in value-based care. Including practical takeaways on driving clinician...

Building the Connected Hospital: Bridging Operational Gaps Through Technology

Join industry leaders to explore how advanced technologies like RFID, AI, EMR, and ERP systems are transforming hospitals into connected ecosystems that enhance efficiency, streamline...