With companies scrabbling to stay afloat over the past few years by cutting benefits, establishing hiring freezes or workers laid off, there have actually been companies that have never experienced layoffs-and some are in healthcare.  Although it is thought that acute care healthcare systems or companies are immune from the down turns in the economy, this is not the case. Hospitals over the past decade have not only established hiring freezes, wages freezes and layoffs-some have actually closed.

A recent post at CNNMoney highlights 14 companies that have never experienced a lay off scenario to keep the company financially strong. Of the 14 companies mentioned, 5 are in healthcare or specifically hospitals or health systems.   One employer, Atlantic Health, has gotten around the staff reduction issue by hiring per diem employees-interesting.  Anyone that takes a per diem position in a hospital knows they are the first to be cancelled for work if the patient census goes down or there is a reason to down size the staff numbers for any reason.  Per diem staff are the hospital’s employees and receive an higher hourly pay without benefits. Per diem status appeals to those nurses or other healthcare professionals that want flexible work hours and generally have another source of income.  This model is popular with working Moms. The understanding working per diem is that full or part time benefited employees receive the guaranteed work hours and per diem employees fill in the gaps.  So in this case, Atlantic Health has not had to lay off their permanent employees-their per diem staff just doesn’t work if the hours are not there.

Scripps Health is in the financial position to be able to offer its employees full time salary until they are able to find another position within the company.  No wonder it is called the “ultimate career destination”-plus, the location is great.  Other hospitals mentioned are Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Baptist Health South Florida and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Baptist Health South Florida is experiencing some robust growth opening a new hospital last year and several outpatient facilities providing new job opportunities to current employees who may work in department s within the organization that are downsizing. St. Jude’s cut back on hiring and implemented other cost –cutting initiatives driven by staff suggestions.

As the U.S. economy continues to navigate the slippery slope of recovery, healthcare companies are finding ways to not only survive but continue to grow.   Best of luck in your healthcare career.

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In a press release dated January 6, 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics gave all of us in healthcare some positive employment news.  “Health care continued to add jobs in December (+23,000); employment in hospitals increased by 10,000. Over the year, health care employment has risen by 315,000.”

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Everyone has an opinion about their employer. Saying you don’t consider your employer to be either good or bad is giving an opinion.  Of course, it is hard to believe that any employer would be indifferent about their employees’ opinions. Engaged employees make for better business and better profits if nothing else.

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Working in health care is challenging on many levels and sustaining an injury while providing direct patient care is not that uncommon for many reasons.  The Board of Labor Statistics estimates there are approximately 16 million individuals working the healthcare industry and not surprisingly this industry (coupled with social assistance) has the most reported injuries on the job; 5.2 cases /100 workers.  The greatest number of injuries to staff members are in skilled nursing [...] Continue Reading…

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