Healthcare industry faces ups and downs

The shortage of professionals in the healthcare industry has become a big issue recently. Recruiters are hot on the trail for skilled people to fill vacant positions. And like most places across the country, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio are struggling to meet their demand.

There is a shortage of healthcare workers in both rural and urban areas. The lack of talented professionals can be found not only in hospitals but assisted-living and home-health organizations as well. The most critical shortage in the healthcare sector today is nursing, specifically registered nurses (RNs), and this region is no different with needs of everything from critical-care to emergency-room nurses. The aging population, more career opportunities, mandatory overtime, salary and a lack of flexibility are some key reasons for the nursing dilemma. Another issue that has added to the problem is the declining enrollment in nursing programs. However, nursing isn't the only area feeling the heat. There is a need for pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, radiologists and lab technicians as well. There is also a strong demand in non-technical positions such as administrative jobs.

All types of medical facilities are making a strong effort to not only recruit people but retain them. Signing bonuses, flexible scheduling and relocation expenses are some of the methods used to attract talented medical professionals. Although hiring people is important, keeping them is the ultimate goal. Many facilities are providing on-the-job training and tuition reimbursement.

In order to reach a younger generation of potential healthcare professionals, hospitals and medical facilities are using the Internet as a recruiting tool, along with the more traditional avenues - newspapers, trade journals and job fairs. Healthcare associations are also hard at work trying to combat the problem. Some organizations are joining forces with other institutions to create recruitment/retention programs that will work. Associations are also reaching out to the community, specifically colleges, universities and grade schools, to get the word out about careers in healthcare.

Staffing issues aren't the only problems facing medical facilities. Financial struggles due to cuts in Medicaid and Medicare, and hospital consolidations and closures have hurt the healthcare industry. The battle against the healthcare problems plaguing the industry isn't over yet. There is much more that needs to be accomplished. However, a strong war has already been waged in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. - MEGAN FITZGERALD, KARA KITTS and SHERRI PFEIL, Staff Writers