Healthcare facilities face industry-wide competition

Recently the healthcare industry has been facing some tough issues, and the Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania region is no stranger to them. A shortage of healthcare professionals in a variety of disciplines has been a cause for concern here. But there is a positive side to the story. The following overview offers a glimpse at the healthcare industry in this region of the country.

Although the shortage of registered nurses (RNs) has been widely publicized, the need goes much further. Medical scientists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, speech therapists, physicians and ultrasound technicians are also in short supply. And it is not only hospitals looking for highly skilled professionals. Assisted-living and long-term-care facilities are also seeking people.

Salary seems to be an issue for professionals in this region. Low earnings and long hours are turning people off. Competition from industries that can pay workers better wages is making the situation worse. And even if starting salaries are good, oftentimes they don't continue on the same scale. Due to low pay, it isn't easy to keep qualified professionals. To retain people, hospitals and other medical facilities are trying to offer different benefits such as flexible scheduling so employees can have work/life balance.

Recruitment efforts go far and wide. Most healthcare organizations utilize job fairs, Internet job postings and trade journals to attract potential employees. Some are taking the campaign one step further, including offering an "eBay" for healthcare workers and hiring from abroad. Medical facilities are even reaching out to our future work force - grade-school students.

Indeed, the healthcare industry as a whole is facing some big hurdles. However, much is being done to combat some of these issues. The Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania region is making a solid effort to overcome what has become a critical situation. - MEGAN FITZGERALD, KARA KITTS and SHERRI PFEIL, Staff Writers