Electronic scheduling for work shifts

• US 8,401,884 B1
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avantas LLC (AMN Healthcare Services Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Avantas LLC (AMN Healthcare Services Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kinney, Lorane
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYCE, ANDRE D
• Application Number:
  US11/267,988
• Time in Patent Office: 2,689 Days
• Field of Search: 705/9, 705/7.18
• US Class Current: 705/7.18
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063116 Schedule adjustment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A computer-implemented shift scheduling system and method are disclosed that present data to workers relating to unfilled work shifts. Selected shifts are compiled as shift data for each worker. Worker accreditation may be tracked and used to determine access to the database of unfilled work shifts. Work shift data may be grouped into categories according to an employers worker needs for specific shifts. Pay rate incentives may be associated with one or more categories and indicated on presentment of the work shift data. Remote worker access to the scheduling system may be provided in LAN or WAN environments.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for staffing a work schedule, the method comprising:

providing a computing device that includes a processor, a data storage medium operatively coupled with said processor that is capable of at least temporarily storing work schedule data and tit least one computer readable medium operatively coupled with said processor and said data storage medium;

said at least one computer readable medium comprising software to manipulate said work schedule data;

the computing device being operatively coupled with an electronic network;

creating work schedule data, wherein the work schedule data is at least partially related to specific unfilled work shifts whereby each work shift is assigned a uniform pay rate that is relative to characteristics of each such work shift, wherein the specific unfilled work shifts within said work schedule data are arranged into a plurality of separate categories according to an employer'"'"'s anticipated worker needs at predetermined times, wherein said separate categories of unfilled work shifts have different pay rates, wherein categories having higher anticipated worker needs pay higher rates than categories having lower anticipated worker needs, wherein said work schedule data is presented to said at least one worker in a calendar format identifying individual days;

storing said work schedule data on said data storage medium;

at least one worker electronically accessing said work schedule data and selecting one or more work shifts to work;

creating shift data, wherein the shift data is related to specific work shifts selected by said at least one worker;

storing said shift data on said data storage medium; and

the computing device amending said work schedule data in accordance with said shift data by identifying the specific work shifts selected by the at least one worker as having been selected.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said different pay rates, associated with unfilled work shifts within said separate categories, are indicated on said calendar.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said shift data is presented to said at least one worker on said calendar.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein unfilled shifts having high-anticipated worker needs are presented on said calendar and in one or more additional displays that highlight said unfilled shifts having high anticipated worker needs.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein individual worker data sets are created to at least temporarily store said shift data for individual workers.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein workers may remotely access individual worker data sets.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein each of said individual worker data sets are comprised of accreditation data relating to worker accreditation that is at least desirable for a worker to possess prior to working said unfilled work shifts.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein the only unfilled work shifts accessible by said at least one worker are unfilled work shifts for which said at least one worker maintains a predetermined level of worker accreditation.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein said accreditation data is comprised of expiration dates for said worker accreditation.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said work shift data is selectively presented to said at least one worker in a shopping cart format.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein an average pay rate for work shifts selected by said at least one worker is calculated and presented to said at least one worker.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein a scheduling notice is generated and transmitted to said at least one worker if specific work shifts are selected by said at least one worker.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein incentives are provided to said at least one worker for selecting work shifts as far in advance as possible;

said incentives comprising a pay rate that gradually decreases over time as unfilled work shifts remain unfilled, starting from a date on which said work schedule data is created.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein incentives are provided to said at least one worker for selecting work shifts as far in advance as possible;

said incentives comprising a pay rate that gradually decreases as unfilled work shifts are filled.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein incentives are provided to said at least one worker for selecting work shifts as far in advance as possible;

said incentives comprising the cancellation of selected work shifts in a reverse order from which they were selected over time, if an employer cancels work shifts.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a threshold number of shifts that should not be cancelled by said at least one worker;

wherein incentives are provided to said at least one worker for not self-canceling work shifts selected by said at least one worker;

said incentives comprise preventing said at least one worker from electronically accessing said work schedule data or selecting work shifts to work if said at least one worker self-cancels at least said threshold number of work shifts.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a threshold number of shifts that should not be cancelled by said at least one worker;

wherein incentives are provided to said at least one worker for not self-canceling work shifts selected by said at least one worker;

said incentives comprise preventing said at least one worker from receiving heightened pay rates for work shifts selected by said at least one worker that have heightened worker needs if said at least one worker self-cancels at least said threshold number of work shifts.