A new generation of technology has transformed Mission Health. Paper schedules became a thing of the past when Valid Shifts debuted in 2023. This electronic scheduling platform quickly gained popularity across Mission Health’s 50+ skilled nursing and assisted living communities. The journey was not without its challenges, but it forged a strong partnership, offering schedulers and staff a new way to manage what was once a confusing and stressful task.
This partnership introduced an innovative, customizable scheduling platform, bringing transparency to labor management while creating personalized staff schedules accessible on any device, anytime. I had the pleasure of interviewing Cody Bishop, the founder and creator of Valid Shifts, to gain insight into how the platform has positively impacted Mission Health employees.
Background and Vision
In 2020, COVID-19 significantly altered our lives, especially in healthcare. The pandemic brought challenges that required innovative solutions, one of which was the shift from paper schedules to digital technology. Cody Bishop, alongside his father, Matt Bishop, and with the help of Haydee Holiman, developed a user-friendly, accessible digital platform for Mission Health. “What was standard operation before was no longer the status quo,” says Bishop. “This presented an opportunity for us to collaborate with the industry to create a unique solution that benefited everyone involved.”
Bishop’s vision for Valid Shifts was to be a partner to long-term care organizations, not just a provider. “A partner looks out for the best interests of those they work with and seeks to make everyone around them better,” says Bishop. The scheduling platform has revolutionized daily staffing operations, giving leadership the tools to provide equal opportunities for all employees. Valid Shifts’ ultimate goal is for every decision—from the scheduler to the CEO—to drive positive outcomes. “The better we can show the impacts of decisions before they are made, the better long-term care will be in providing superior care and maintaining a successful operation.”
Features and Benefits
The key features of the Valid Shifts dashboard for all access levels are transparency and simplicity. The dashboard provides all the necessary information in one place. Corporate users can see how schedules align with budgets and track the platform’s adoption across the organization. At the facility level, there’s transparency regarding internal and external compliance. For staff, there is real-time access to employer needs and future expectations.
The platform simplifies the scheduling process in three main ways:
- Automates budget calculations, keeping communities informed of their financial standing at all times.
- Allows for the creation of perpetual staff schedules.
- Offers automation for various tasks (notes, openings, users, census, acuity, etc.).
To enhance employee engagement and satisfaction, Valid Shifts brings 100% transparency to the dashboard. “Transparency from the scheduler to the staff, from the administrator to the scheduler, from corporate to the administrator—everyone is in the loop, working towards the same goals and outcomes, with nothing hidden from a data standpoint,” says Bishop. Staff members can see their schedules a year in advance and pick up additional shifts if desired. “The days of having to be physically present at the building, calling, or texting the scheduler are over. Simply log in, and everything you need is at the touch of a button.”
Success
Since Mission Health partnered with Valid Shifts in 2023, a total of 17,286 open shifts have been filled through the dashboard—without any advertising from scheduling managers. “We’ve also had great success in getting facilities onto a structured rotation, providing more even, fair coverage and making it easy to identify where help is needed,” says Bishop.
Hutchinson Health and Rehab in Kansas has become a role model for other communities. Bishop met with the administrator, scheduling manager, and regional vice president to emphasize the importance of the new platform to staff. Administrator Beth Towns reported excitement from her staff and noted an “improved quality of life for her team, while also positively impacting the facility’s ability to meet its responsibilities.”
When Valid Shifts was first introduced to Mission Health administrators and schedulers, there was some initial resistance. “Many people were hesitant, insisting, ‘This isn’t going to work for us. We’re different. We can’t do it,’” says Tina Thomas, Mission Health’s senior vice president of operations. “But then we had a rural community that was fully committed to the software. They saw the efficiencies and intelligence it offered at a community level.”
Mission Health is continuously investing in improvements to enhance employee satisfaction and provide a better work-life balance. We introduced Valid Shifts based on employee feedback, with the goal of improving satisfaction.
We are excited to share more about our partnership with Valid Shifts. Stay tuned for part 2 next month to learn more!
