At Clipboard, we strive to be clear and transparent with platform users. To that end, we wanted to share an explanation of how the platform’s pricing system works, especially for new users. As we’ll describe in more detail below, the pricing system used to determine the compensation offered for each shift takes into account a large number of market-based factors that affect the rate professionals see when they view it. As we’ll also describe below, a professional’s personal information is never used to inform the rate that is offered.
Here’s more on how the system works:
What is considered
The pricing system considers how quickly and at what rate similar shifts have been booked within a given geographic market and at specific facilities, along with what the facility is charged for the shift. The data we collect from previous shifts is used to determine what the initial pay rate for similar shifts is. Unless the shift is booked very quickly, the rate may then change. The idea is that the shift should offer a competitive enough rate for a professional to want to book it quickly. Ensuring that shifts are all competitively priced delivers a better customer experience for both the healthcare facilities who post shifts and the healthcare professionals who book them.
The pricing system framework then adjusts a shift rate based on factors such as shift location, time of day, day of week, how soon the shift starts, and expected demand for the shift.
Some shifts start higher, like holiday shifts or shifts cancelled at the last minute and reposted. Other, similar incentives may also be associated with an individual shift.
Regardless, professionals and facilities remain free to negotiate higher rates directly with one another. Facilities are also free to increase the offered rate independently or to offer a bonus payment with it.
Once a shift is booked, the rate is locked. Although prices can adjust before a shift is booked, there’s a minimum rate built into the pricing system, so offered rates won’t fall beneath that point.
What is not considered
The model does not consider—and has never considered—personal information about a professional. The model does not use information that Clipboard collects like the shift rates a professional has accepted in the past or other aspects of their shift history. We do not use or even collect information like credit card debt or credit scores.
The price a professional sees on the platform is never based upon their personal information. Never.
Can professionals ever see different prices for the same shift?
Yes. Professionals can see different prices for the same shift. Once a professional looks at a shift rate, it is locked into place for a short period of time, so that the professional doesn’t encounter unexpected changes during the booking process. That can lead to professionals seeing different rates at the same time.
A quick bid auction feature is used to fill some recently cancelled shifts that are set to begin very soon. In those cases, professionals can submit a bid for the shift with a number they’d be comfortable receiving to fill the shift. Each auction includes a minimum bid amount. The auctions may be set for up to 20 minutes, but most last 5.
In the past, we have also tested very small, randomized pay variations (around 2%). This meant two professionals could see slightly different rates for the same shift. These variations were random and never based on personal characteristics.
We run tests so that we can refine the platform and provide a better experience for professionals and facilities who use it.
