Why Can’t I Claim a Shift?

9 reasons you’re unable to claim a shift in the app.

Shiftmed Care Team Leadership avatar
Written by Shiftmed Care Team Leadership
Updated over a week ago

Building a flexible work schedule without a hitch feels fantastic. However, there might be a time when you try to snag that perfect shift, and a "Needs Your Attention" or "Sorry, this shift isn't available" message pops up.

What's going on? There are several reasons why you might receive such notifications. Here are the nine most common:

1. You Don't Have an Available Worker Status.

If you're listed as inactive, suspended, terminated in our system, or still completing the onboarding process, you won't be able to claim shifts in the app.

2. You Need a Credential the Facility Requires.

Every facility has different credential requirements. For example, some of our facility partners require a drug screening credential. So, if you don't have a drug screening on file and try to claim a shift at a facility that requires it, you'll receive a failed claim. Another instance might be that you have a 1-step TB test, and the facility requires a 2-step TB test.

3. You Have a Credential That's Missing or Expired.

Your TB test or physical credential could be missing or expired. If expired, most states (except California, Illinois, and Indiana) will let you extend your TB test or physical. Use the ˈTap to Renewˈ option in the app to extend your TB test or physical credential. Also, be aware that if your TB test or physical is active now but will expire before the day of the shift, you'll receive a failed claim.

4. You Must Complete an Orientation Shift at the Facility.

Some partner facilities require you to work an orientation shift before claiming others. Orientation shifts are labeled as such in the shift feed. So, if you come across an orientation shift at a facility you know you'll want to work at, snap it up if you can.

5. You Need the Proper License for the Shift.

Make sure you have the professional license the facility requires. For example, you'll receive a failed claim if you try to claim an LPN shift but only have a CNA license. The same will occur if you try to claim a CNA shift but only have a GNA license on file. You should enter every active professional license you have in the app. So, if you're a CNA who just earned your RN license, enter that information in the app ASAP for us to verify. Then moving forward, you can claim CNA and RN shifts.

6. You Have Reached 40 Hours for the Current Pay Period.

Our pay period starts on Saturday and ends on Friday. You can only work up to 40 hours in any given pay period (unless you have the required approvals). So, if you have a combination of five shifts either claimed or worked in the current pay period, you won’t see any additional shifts for that period.

7. You Must Work Your First Shift at a Facility Before You Claim Others at That Location.

You must work your first shift at a facility before you can ˈunlockˈ more opportunities at that location. Think of it this way. You probably like some facilities more than others—and that's fine. We have you work one shift to see if the facility is a good fit for you before you commit to multiple shifts.   

8. Your Show Rate is Below the Facility's Requirement.

If a facility has a set minimum show rate requirement and your show rate falls below that requirement, you won't be able to claim a shift there. You can increase your show rate by claiming shifts at other facilities and showing up on time. Your show rate updates in the app in real-time, so once you meet the facility’s minimum show rate, you can claim a shift there.

9. Your Show Rate is Under 70%.

If your show rate is under 70%, you cannot claim more than three shifts at a time or shifts that start more than 72 hours from now. The app allows you to set a reminder for a specific shift so that when your claim limitation expires, you can claim that shift if it’s still available. Try boosting your show rate so you never have to worry about claim limitations again.

10. You Have Already Claimed a Shift for That Day at That Time.

You are only able to claim one shift per day per time slot, even if you cancel the shift, you aren't allowed to claim another shift for that day at that time. For example - If you work 2/15 from 7:00AM to 3:00PM, even if you cancel this shift, you will not be able to claim a shift that would interfere with these times.

11. You are in the State of California and Already Have a Shift Scheduled for that Day.

If you are in the state of California, you can only claim one shift per day. This means that if you try to claim a shift on a day that you are already scheduled to work, you will receive an error message in the app. For example:

If you claim a shift on 2/25 and that shift starts and ends on 2/25, then you will no longer be able to claim a shift on 2/25, but you can still claim shifts on other days

Questions?

Now that you understand why you're receiving a failed claim or can't claim a shift, you can take the appropriate action(s) to fix the situation in the future. If you have additional questions, start a chat with us in the app.

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