6 Reasons You Should Hire an Interim Leader (2021)

Senior Living Interim Leaders have become critical to organizational leadership stability especially in the past 18 months. While interim leaders may be brought in to fill an executive position due to a planned or unexpected departure, they are not simply placeholders. Interim leaders serve for various reasons and in a number of capacities.  Here’s several we’re highlighting:

-Expertise During Growth and Expansion.  During a transformative period, such as fast growth or expansion, hiring an interim leader such as an Interim Executive Director, Interim Nursing Home Administrator or Interim Director of Nursing, will enable your organization to gain access to the expertise and skills needed without having to create a full-time role. This will help you to quickly scale up without adding employee headcount.

-Buys Time & Reduces Risk. Hiring an interim executive while you conduct a full-on search for a permanent hire, is a worthwhile investment. It allows your organization to take the time needed to onboard the right fit.  Organizations that are too quick to pursue perceived right talent may experience costly hiring mistakes and cause a negative impact on staff and operations.

-Ease Heavy Workloads. Hiring an interim who is an industry expert can offer help with a heavy workload or during a crisis. Industry professionals can hit the ground running and seamlessly get the job done without a training period.

-Address Spike in Turnover. If your senior care organization is experiencing a spike in turnover at the executive level, an interim leader can be key in assessing the role and making suggestions for what to look for in the next hire. Interim executives can offer consultative advice, options, and a fresh perspective.

-Offer Innovative Ideas. Interim leaders are seasoned industry professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can complement your internal team. They often possess the expertise required to complete certain projects or initiatives plus, they bring innovative ideas and new skills that your team might need.

-Solve Existing Challenges.  Interim leaders often serve as consultants who can assess your organization’s current challenges from an objective perspective and evaluate the issues with fresh eyes. What’s more, they’re unencumbered by protocols, politics, or conflict of interest.

The current business environment in senior living demands agility and flexibility. Interim leadership can assist you through these transformative times and bring new insights and innovative approaches. They’ve seen a little bit of everything, so they are good at stepping-in and managing tough situations which is what your organization may currently need to avoid any business disruption.

Check out our previous blogs on Senior Living Interim Leadership:

Making a Career Move? Consider This
The Interim Leader, More Than a Placeholder
Is Interim Career in Senior Living Right For You?

ABOUT JULIE RUPENSKI

Julie Rupenski is the Founder, President & CEO of MedBest, opening the doors in 2001. Since then, Julie has gained national recognition for providing top talent solutions exclusively for the Senior Living Industry. Her specialties include filling C-Suite, Vice President, Regional, and Property level positions.

Julie has an in-depth knowledge of the Senior Living Industry.  She previously worked in operations for both Senior Housing and Senior Living prior to founding MedBest. Today, Julie makes it her personal and professional mission to place qualified people in health care positions where they have the greatest impact.

Julie earned her degree in Gerontology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida and continues to cultivate her career through senior living conferences, forums, trade shows, and expos.

Contact Julie Rupenski at jrupenski@www.medbest.com / 727-526-1294.

(Julie’s industry articles and interviews have been published in Provider Magazine, Argentum Quarterly, LeadingAge Magazine, Florida Health Care Association, Florida Assisted Living Association, Florida Senior Living Association, LeadingAge Florida, LeadingAge Indiana, Pennsylvania Health Care Association, Oregon Health Care Association, and Virginia Assisted Living Association.)

ABOUT MEDBEST

MedBest is an award-winning national Executive Search Firm exclusive to the Senior Living Industry established in 2001.  We recruit and acquire exceptional senior care talent, permanent and interim executives, for the full continuum of LTC facilities across the US including Assisted Living, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Independent Living, Memory Care,  Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Home Health Care. Contact us at 727-526-1294 / info@www.medbest.com.