Overcoming Challenges in Diagnostics Recruitment

Attracting and retaining the right talent is crucial in diagnostics recruitment, but it’s not always easy. Recruiting in the diagnostics industry comes with a set of unique challenges. The industry requires a highly specialised workforce with specific technical skills and experience, making the recruitment process complex and competitive. 

In this guide, we will explore the key challenges within diagnostics recruitment and offer strategies to overcome them, ensuring that your organisation can attract and retain top talent in this critical field.

What are the Key Challenges in Diagnostics Recruitment?

The global diagnostics market was valued at $918.8 billion in 2022, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2022 to 2030. It is suggested that by 2030, the market is set to reach USD 2 trillion. This figure highlights the sector as a huge area of growth and advancement in this sector.

Here's why recruiting for diagnostics jobs can be a challenge and how to overcome challenges in recruitment:

1. Technical Expertise and Specialisation

Sourcing candidates with the necessary technical skills and specialised experience is one of the most significant challenges in diagnostics recruitment. The industry demands top professionals in areas such as molecular biology, biochemistry, and medical technology, often requiring advanced degrees and hands-on experience with diagnostic tools and technologies.

Because diagnostics jobs are specialised, there are limited training opportunities available for professionals looking to enter the field or enhance their skills. Many employers prefer candidates who can hit the ground running, which means less emphasis on providing on-the-job training. 

Some examples of the key diagnostics jobs within the field are as follows:

• Bioinformatics Specialist 
• Molecular Biologist 
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist 
• Diagnostics Software Developer
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist

These diagnostics jobs demand a range of skills, including proficiency in programming languages, expertise in collecting and analysing complex data, competency in DNA sequencing, knowledge of diagnostic testing and regulatory protocols, and capabilities in software engineering. 

Due to the specialised nature of the role, hiring managers are finding it increasingly difficult to source candidates with experience and required expertise. 

To learn more about the crucial roles and responsibilities involved in diagnostics jobs, discover our insightful guide - Top 5 Senior Jobs in Diagnostics to Hire for Your Team.

2. Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is a tough challenge in diagnostics recruitment. The field demands highly specialised skills, making it hard to find qualified candidates. Adding diversity to the mix makes it even tougher, especially when companies are located in specific regions. Visa restrictions and immigration policies also contribute to limiting the available talent pool. 

Acknowledging different cultures, languages, and educational backgrounds adds another layer of difficulty. Recent research suggests that approximately 51% of employers believe that diversity policies can attract employees with valuable skills to their workplace.

To overcome these challenges, diagnostics companies need to create an inclusive environment where all professionals feel valued. Taking this approach not only helps with recruitment but also with retaining talent and driving innovation.

3. Technological Advancements

The pace of technological advancement in diagnostics is relentless. Staying current with new techniques, instruments, and software can be daunting for both candidates and employers. 

As a result, there is a constant need for professionals who are not only skilled but also adaptable and eager to continue learning, meaning employers must alter their recruitment strategy to keep up with evolving technology.

Some key technological advancements in diagnostics include:

• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies
• Digital pathology and imaging systems
• Point-of-care testing devices such as blood glucose meters
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications for data analysis
• Liquid biopsy techniques for cancer detection

Skills needed to navigate these advancements include proficiency in programming languages like Python, data analysis and interpretation, and familiarity with diagnostic testing protocols and regulatory requirements. 

As we previously mentioned, diagnostic jobs require specialised skills, making it difficult for businesses to source such niche expertise.

4. Geographical Limitations

Many diagnostics companies are located in specific regions, which can limit the pool of local talent. Relocation can create a barrier for potential candidates, especially for those with families or established roots in other areas.

For example, despite the economic downturn following the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK remained a leading country for life sciences equity investment, demonstrating its strong position in the sector. Notably, the Golden Triangle, comprising Oxford, Cambridge, and London, attracted over £553 million in investment in 2022 and saw high demand for lab space, with 3.1 million square feet under construction in 2023.

Due to key hub spots of diagnostic innovation, talent pools are limited, meaning employers can be restricted to candidates within specific areas, limiting access to global expertise, which is vital for bridging skill gaps and meeting the demand for talent.

5. High Competition for Talent

The demand for skilled professionals to fill diagnostics jobs is high, leading to intense competition among employers. Candidates with experience and expertise in roles in molecular diagnostics, medical technology, and laboratory sciences are highly sought after. 

Not only does heightened competition highlight the desirability of qualified candidates, but it also poses significant diagnostic recruitment challenges for various businesses.  Top candidates often have multiple job offers, making it challenging for any single company to stand out and attract the best talent. 

Top Strategies for Overcoming Diagnostics Recruitment Challenges

Next, we'll explore effective strategies for enhancing your employer branding, embracing remote work, and prioritising diversity and inclusion. These approaches are tailored to help you overcome recruitment hurdles, such as lack of diversity, skill gaps, geographical limitations and competition for talent, and attract top talent in the diagnostics industry. 

Let's explore how these strategies can elevate your recruitment efforts:

1. Focus on Employer Branding

According to research, 80% of talent acquisition managers believe that employer branding has a profound impact on the ability to hire suitable talent. This figure provides a clear idea of the impact of employer branding on diagnostic recruitment efforts. 

By implementing a strong employer branding strategy, businesses can stand out from the competition, attract qualified candidates with a continuous learning mindset, and bridge skill gaps within the sector. 

So, what strategies can your business use to enhance your employer branding?

• Utilise social media - Make the most of your online presence and showcase company culture, achievements and employee testimonials to attract potential candidates and stand out from the competition
• Highlight achievements - Highlighting achievements such as successful product launches, research breakthroughs, or awards received adds credibility to your business, attracting potential talent.
• Focus on company culture  - Promote a positive company culture that values diversity, innovation, and employee well-being to attract the best talent to your company.
• Highlight competitive benefits - Highlight competitive benefits offered by the company, such as flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, or healthcare packages, to position yourself as an ideal business to work for.

2. Embrace Remote Working

According to research, by 2025, 30% of life sciences organisations are planning to adopt an "employee-choice" approach to hybrid working. Embracing remote work offers significant advantages for addressing hiring and retention challenges in life sciences recruitment.

Employers can widen their talent pool by being open to remote work opportunities, enabling them to hire candidates from global geographic locations. While remote work opens doors to broad talent pools and bridges skill gaps, it also enhances the diversity of the workforce, providing access to candidates from various backgrounds and levels of experience. 

How can you implement remote working practices within your organisation?

• Set up remote access - Remote access is essential to allow your team to run tests and perform analyses from wherever they are.
• Online training sessions and webinars - Regular training sessions are vital in keeping everyone in the loop about the latest diagnostic methods and tech.
• Telemedicine tools - These tools facilitate the ability to chat with patients and other healthcare professionals from a distance.
• Ensure access to records - Make sure your team can securely access necessary records and info when they're working remotely, all while following privacy rules.
• Communication - Keep the conversation flowing among your team with video calls, chat apps, and project tools to promote inclusivity and reduce feelings of isolation.

3. Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices 

Incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) practices in the life sciences industry is another important step in overcoming recruitment challenges. By prioritising DE&I, companies can cast a wider net for talent and eliminate unconscious bias. This approach opens the door to considering candidates from diverse backgrounds, increasing the chances of sourcing the perfect fit for different diagnostics jobs.

What's more, DE&I initiatives enhance employer branding, making companies more appealing. By championing an inclusive vibe, organisations can stand out, attract and retain top candidates, and spark innovation by blending diverse perspectives and ideas.

Here are strategies for implementing DE&I initiatives:

• Ensure Pay and Career Equity - Address the gender pay gap with unconscious bias training and focus on equal pay and promotions to create an inclusive hiring process.
• Assess Diverse Talent Needs - Evaluate and adjust compensation and benefits to meet the needs of diverse professionals, ensuring inclusivity.
• Revise Job Descriptions - Tailor job descriptions to focus on essential skills and reduce bias, broadening the applicant pool.
• Establish Diverse Interview Panels - Use diverse interview panels to reduce bias and ensure candidates are judged on merit, enhancing DE&I.

4. Utilise Recruitment Agencies and Headhunters 

Many diagnostic companies are beginning to seek support from diagnostic recruitment agencies. Agencies possess unmatched expertise ranging from industry insights to key market trends and the intricacies involved in diagnostic recruitment.

Diagnostic recruitment agencies, like ourselves, offer support in networking, headhunting and attracting candidates to meet the high demand and competition for talent within the sector. Not only this, agencies are experts in sourcing diverse talent from a range of geographical locations further to build a diverse workforce and bridge skill gaps. 

Here are some specific ways a life science recruitment agency can help you overcome diagnostic recruitment challenges:

• Specialised Talent Pool Access - A life science recruitment agency can offer access to candidates with diagnostic expertise from various locations, widening your talent search.
• Streamlined Recruitment - Agencies manage the entire hiring process, saving time and resources for your team.
• Market Insights - Consultants who are experts in life science recruitment, provide industry insights to inform your hiring decisions and stay competitive in the market.
• Candidate Assessment - Life science recruitment agencies carefully assess candidates to ensure they are well-aligned with your company culture and possess the necessary skills to bridge skill gaps effectively.

5. Invest in Training and Development

Recruiting for diagnostics jobs is tough due to the need for specialised skills and keeping pace with advancements. Investing in training and development helps bridge this gap by upskilling your existing workforce and making your company more attractive to new hires who value professional development. 

How can your company implement training and development initiatives in your team?

• Assess Needs - Begin by assessing your team's skills, knowledge, and areas for improvement to gain insight into where training efforts should be focused.
• Set Objectives - Define clear objectives and goals for the training and development initiatives. 
• Design Training Programs - Develop training programs tailored to address any outstanding needs and achieve the defined objectives. Consider various training methods and formats to ensure effectiveness.
• Implement Training - Roll out the training programs effectively, ensuring participation and engagement from team members. Provide necessary resources and support.
• Monitor Progress - Regularly monitor the progress of training initiatives and adjust as needed to ensure effectiveness. Collect feedback from participants and evaluate the impact of training on team performance.

Final Word on Diagnostic Recruitment Challenges

From addressing technical expertise and specialisation to embracing diversity and inclusion practices, businesses must adapt their strategies to meet the demands of diagnostics recruitment. Embracing remote work opportunities, promoting DE&I initiatives, and collaborating with recruitment agencies are pivotal steps in overcoming recruitment hurdles and building teams equipped to drive innovation and success in the diagnostics industry.

Investing in training and development initiatives also ensures that employees stay abreast of advancements, bridging skill gaps and enhancing the company's overall competitiveness in the market. By implementing these strategies, businesses can position themselves as leaders in diagnostics recruitment, securing top talent and building a culture of continuous growth and excellence.

Searching for an Expert Diagnostic Recruitment Agency?

Do you need support with your diagnostic recruitment strategy? If you're an employer seeking to grow your team, we're here to assist you. We connect you with suitable talent using our extensive networks, job boards, and industry insights. As experts in diagnostics recruitment, we offer valuable knowledge and collaborate with leading associations and stay connected with potential talent in the sector.

To learn more about how we can support you, visit our diagnostics page, or contact us today to discuss your individual requirements.