On the one hand, the global pandemic served as a stark reminder of healthcare’s power. However, modern healthcare currently faces a complex landscape with critical workforce shortages and a growing demand for quality care. Given the situation, leaders like Kelly Taylor (Director) have emerged as a promising figure in the healthcare sector. Kelly leverages her deep industry knowledge to understand the specific needs of both healthcare providers and staffing personnel. At Connect Staffing Group, she fosters collaboration and innovation, which is crucial for tackling staffing challenges and adapting to a changing healthcare landscape. Kelly’s focus on results and growth ensures that her company plays a vital role in ensuring healthcare facilities have the qualified staff to deliver exceptional care.
A Journey Marked by Humble Beginnings
In 2013, Kelly embarked on her career combining recruitment and client relationship management. As a nurse herself, she quickly realized she could leverage her clinical knowledge and sector insights to build strong relationships with healthcare service managers and workers. This understanding helped her grasp the inherent requirements within the healthcare workforce. As her role evolved, Kelly found her strengths in business development, seeking new opportunities, and moving into contract management. Her strong interest in quality, clinical governance, and regulatory compliance complemented her contract management responsibilities and provided a holistic view of corporate activity management.
Kelly advanced to a general manager role, overseeing sales, quality, clinical governance, HR, and compliance, before moving into the position of CEO of a national nursing agency. Her experience as a nurse uniquely positioned her to understand the challenges faced by healthcare organizations, facilitating her career success in the healthcare recruitment space.
Turning Challenges into Milestones
Kelly believes that her background as a nurse played a significant role in her work. “Being a practicing clinician helps me understand the challenges and needs of healthcare organizations,” she remarked. Her hands-on experience allowed her to build strong relationships with various organisations, knowing her efforts made a difference.
Kelly found great satisfaction in knowing that her company’s work led to better outcomes for patients and residents across health services. “Seeing the positive impact on the workforce and patient care kept me motivated,” she shared. She also valued being part of the larger picture and understanding how her contributions fit into the broader healthcare context. This perspective helped her, and the company remained focused on improving health services through strong partnerships and effective solutions.
Kelly’s achievements throughout her career include negotiating and managing large contracts. Her expertise in developing systems and processes ensured effective contract management. The development of systems and processes to ensure effective management of these contracts has been a significant achievement, particularly in a sector where the compliance requirements are increasingly complex. Managing these contracts showcased Kelly’s in-depth understanding of the sector and its governance requirements Additionally, Kelly has formed strong relationships with key stakeholders in large organizations across Australia.
These relationships have been instrumental in the company and career’s growth and success. “Building these connections has been crucial,” she explains. “Forming strong partnerships with key stakeholders has allowed us to collaborate effectively and ensure the highest standards in our services.” Her ability to navigate these extensive and intricate contracts and her talent for fostering robust professional relationships have significantly contributed to the company’s success and professional growth. Kelly continues to leverage these skills to drive the company forward, ensuring clients and personnel are well-supported and satisfied.
Kelly believes that agility in decision-making is vital for success. “Being adaptable and responsive is critical,” she said. The pandemic reinforced this belief, highlighting the importance of having systems that can handle growth and optimize processes for efficiency. The company focuses on collaboration and partnerships wherever possible.
Kelly emphasized the need to regularly assess market trends and customer needs, identifying gaps and emerging opportunities to meet market demands. She also values being part of industry alliances, like the RCSA and ANRA to stay updated with the latest information.
Being in circles with like-minded and invested people is very important
Kelly
These networks provide valuable insights and align the company with industry expectations and advancements, ensuring it remains competitive and innovative.
Leading with Optimism and Vision
Kelly’s journey with Connect Staffing Group is relatively new. “To lead Connect Staffing Groups east operations is exciting,” Kelly says. “To partner with Paul Morrison and to combine our years of industry knowledge and expertise is exciting. We bring different lenses but have a focus on one vision”. The Connect Staffing service portfolio continues to expand with the recent appointment as an approved agency provider for Tasmania Health, a valued addition to the public health service offering, alongside WA Health, and several aged care contracts now live on the east coast.
As with many company expansions, Kelly faces the delicate balancing act of ensuring quality service delivery while managing client demand. As the company competes with established players on the eastern seaboard, Kelly navigates the complexities of healthcare staffing, especially in the aftermath of a pandemic. The varied legislation and regulations across states add another layer of challenge, particularly when mobilizing personnel across different regions.
Despite these hurdles, Kelly credits her capable team for meeting challenges head-on. Their shared vision propels them toward success.
Exceptional Healthcare Staffing made Accessible
Connect Staffing Group provides high-quality agency labour and hires nurses and carers to public and private hospitals, residential aged care services, and medical clinics. The company is dedicated to ensuring its clients receive exceptional healthcare staffing solutions tailored to their needs. One of the unique aspects of Connect Staffing Group East is its comprehensive service offering, which includes a hospitality division. This allows the company to provide a total staffing solution to its clients, covering both clinical and catering services.
The company can deploy chefs, kitchen staff, nurses, and personal carers, offering a total service solution for healthcare settings. Additionally, Connect Staffing Group is involved in fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work, sending remote area nurses to regional and remote areas. The company also specialises in short-term contract placements, ensuring that healthcare facilities can access skilled professionals when needed. By offering these diverse services, Connect Staffing Group distinguishes itself in the nursing agency space, providing comprehensive staffing solutions that meet the varied needs of its clients.
Leveraging Technology for Larger Benefits
Connect Staffing Group embraces technology to enhance services for both personnel and clients. The company provides user-friendly apps and client portals accessible via mobile devices via Entire HR software, facilitating seamless communication and interaction. In today’s fast-paced world, people appreciate quick and efficient solutions. Through the company’s technology, personnel can easily indicate availability, pick up shifts, and manage schedules at their fingertips. Clients can also book services effortlessly through these digital platforms, streamlining the entire process.
Connect Staffing Group utilises EntireHR’s advanced applicant tracking system to manage compliance and regulatory requirements for all personnel. This meticulous approach ensures that necessary documentation and standards are maintained, providing peace of mind for both clients and staff. By integrating these technological solutions, Connect Staffing Group enhances efficiency and convenience, making it easier for everyone involved to manage their responsibilities effectively.
Shifts in the Healthcare Landscape
Kelly acknowledges that despite many strengths, one of Australia’s greatest challenges is a workforce that lacks sufficient numbers to meet the required level of services across the country. “We simply don’t have enough healthcare workers to provide the necessary services,” she explains. Kelly recognises the need for initiatives to address this shortage. While the government’s aged care labour agreements are a step in the right direction, more incentives are necessary to encourage individuals to pursue nursing careers.
As an industry leader, Kelly emphasises thinking outside the box. To prepare for future health crises, she advocates for ramping up resources on demand. This includes having a flexible workforce willing to travel interstate and engage in fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) work. Retention is equally critical, and companies must assess their Employee Value Proposition to attract and maintain resources. Innovation and research and development (R&D) play a significant role in streamlining recruitment processes and expediting onboarding. Kelly believes that technology and innovative solutions can enhance responsiveness.
Connect Staffing Group actively shapes the future of healthcare by addressing critical workforce shortages across Australia. The company commits to the Australian government’s Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, which aims to utilise international healthcare workers to meet growing demand. Kelly predicts a shift from daily ad-hoc services to longer-term contract placements within the labour hire space. This aligns with the evolving gig economy, where personnel prioritise flexibility and reliability over traditional full-time employment.
Kelly notes, “Personnel want flexibility and demand a higher quality of life with a solid work-life balance and a priority on mental health. They want to work for a company that shares similar values regarding ethics, social causes and diversity, equity and inclusion. They are happy to be part of a casual workforce rather than being locked into full-time employment.”
Connect Staffing Group aims to provide enough work with variety and security of income to meet these needs and has demonstrated its alignment with its workforce’s values, recently awarded the RCSA “Excellence in Safety & Wellbeing Culture” award. By adapting to workforce expectations, these industry changes and leveraging both local and international talent, Connect Staffing Group is well-positioned to meet the demands of the future healthcare landscape.
Connect Staffing Group’s east coast operation has commenced in Tasmania and Victoria, with further expansion planned for NSW and Qld in the coming months. By mid-2025, they anticipate providing services on a national scale. This strategic growth aims to meet the increasing demand for staffing solutions across these regions, ensuring a resilient and adaptable healthcare workforce for the future.
Leadership Keynote by Kelly
Connect Staffing Group, embodies essential principles for success in the healthcare staffing industry. Kelly emphasises the importance of comprehending the market and identifying gaps. Knowing what customers truly need is crucial. By aligning services with these needs, companies can thrive.
Kelly’s philosophy centres on offering services that defy industry norms. Integrating hospitality into a healthcare setting, whether daily or contract, metro or regional is a prime example.
Balancing workforce desires with client needs is key. Understanding sector preferences ensures total stakeholder satisfaction. Kelly recognises that success hinges on having the right team and that the team’s combined skill set is fundamental to achieving and sustaining success.
By continuously enhancing offerings and maintaining uniqueness, Kelly ensures that the company remains valuable in the eyes of its customers.
