Blog
AHCA's New Podcast Discusses Workforce Development
- By: Ben Hawkins
- On: 07/20/2023 12:13:05
- In: Legislative/Government Affairs
Below is a summary of the key points Christopher Schmidt made about how his company is improving its workforce during the nationwide labor shortage.
- Recruiting and Hiring
- They now have a full-time recruiter
- Job offers have to be instantaneous
- Following up on applications has to be nearly immediate, and his staff follow up by 1) text, 2) call, and 3) email
- They have less red tape and fewer supervisors are involved in the interview process, further expediting the job offer process
- The team meets the job market where they are
- Food markets and pickup soccer matches are two targets
- Working only with community colleges is not enough
- Special job titles
- For example "concierge" instead of a "customer service representative"
- In the past, a job post for the title of CNA received zero to two applicants
- Now they use titles like “Hospitality Aid,” which receives 100+ applications
- While this type of title receives applicants who cannot be CNAs, they still try to find value in those other applicants for other positions
- For example "concierge" instead of a "customer service representative"
- They now have a full-time recruiter
- Perks
- Wages are important, but that is not all that matters
- The environment, culture, and how people are treated make a big difference
- Respect from supervisors
- All of the managers are also CNA credentialed
- Weekly retention brainstorming meetings with management and other staff
- They host a weekly retention event
- Always aiming for meaningful and memorable events
- Theme
- Music
- Contest with a prize
- Pizza parties are overdone
- Take the events to the units; the break room is sometimes overly relied upon
- Always aiming for meaningful and memorable events
- Training and education
- Broadening the workforce pipeline
- Make a clear career path and promotion ladder
- Clear pay increases can be earned over time
Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org