On call

Both hospitals I've worked at had a rotating list. If there was a call slot that needed filled and there were no volunteers, then whoever happened to be at the top of the list was mandated to cover. However, most people when they see they're near the top of the list will volunteer to pick up a call shift that needs covered so they drop to the bottom of the list. Both created the list based on seniority (least senior staff mandated first). Both allow for volunteers who pick up call on a less than 24 hour notice to move to the bottom. Those who are mandated also move to the bottom of the list. Volunteering has the incentive of letting the staff essentially choose when to pick up over oops, sorry you have plans tonight but now you're on call if they wait until their turn to be mandated. I think in my current facility the entire two years I've been here only one shift was ever mandated.