In order to counteract the overload in the general and intensive care areas and the increased pressure on individual employees, a so-called "stand-in pool" was set up at Heidelberg University Hospital in 2010. This pool is intended to provide short-term relief in the event of staff shortages and replace absent or absent employees with "jumpers". The aim is to ensure the usual quality of care in the UKHD facilities even when staff are absent due to holidays or illness. In principle, the "stand-in pool" concept offers an opportunity to actively improve working conditions in nursing and increase the attractiveness of the profession. In particular, the flexibility and targeted deployment of employees can help to increase satisfaction and reduce staff turnover. For many employees, working in a stand-in pool is the "perfect match" for harmonising work and private life. The topic of work-life balance has a different focus for each person depending on their phase and situation in life, and also depends on their individual perception of the meaning of life and personal happiness. A large proportion of people in employment want to spend time with their children or see it as their responsibility to look after relatives in need of care. For others, however, the focus is on balancing work with leisure activities and sport.

Since the beginning of 2023, a so-called relief collective agreement (TV-E) has been in force, which specifies exactly how many patients a carer may look after. With the introduction of this agreement, the relief pool is no longer voluntary, but has become a collectively agreed part of the University Hospital's shortage management. If the collectively agreed upper limit of people to be cared for is exceeded, points are awarded. The nursing staff can collect these points and convert them into days off. This system requires a great deal of skill, because if one member of staff is absent, the workload of the others immediately increases, who also collect compensation points and may then be absent. It is therefore to be expected that the carers will accumulate numerous compensation points, with the right to redeem them at some point.

"Jumpers" are the ideal solution to alleviate these bottlenecks. They can be deployed flexibly, step in at short notice and relieve the burden on permanent staff. With their support, staffing limits can be adhered to. In addition, the jumpers have the advantage of familiarising themselves with different areas of work and thus finding a path towards their dream job.

You can find out more about the pool of jumpers at UKHD here!