Mirroring the broader economy, the strength of the national health care labor market remained mostly stagnant in the second quarter of 2011, as measured by the Health Workplace Solutions Labor Market Pulse Index.

The LMPI, a quarterly barometer of local market health care work force fluctuations released Friday, posted a 3 percent decline from the first quarter. Near-term demand for health care workers was strongest in the Phoenix, Seattle and Las Vegas markets during the second quarter; Atlanta, Cleveland and Minneapolis ranked at the bottom of the 30 markets tracked.

The second quarter, which ended June 30, showed nine markets showing accelerated expansion. In the first quarter, 18 markets showed that growth.

“While last quarter brought some optimism, it is clear that the health care labor markets are not yet in full recovery,” says David Cherner, managing partner of Health Workforce Solutions. “That said, given the wave of retirements expected in the near future, and the number of stalled expansion projects that seem to be getting renewed attention, we remain bullish on the outlook for the rest of the year and into next year.”

The index tracks elements including temporary health work force shortages and surpluses, facility and bed closures, announced layoffs and expansions and local economic trends.

Instant Insights /

Health care labor market slows down in second quarter

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