“Being an Employer of Choice means that potential employees choose to work for that employer … when presented with other choices of employment.  This choice is a conscious decision – or series of decisions – made when joining an organization and when deciding to stay with that organization.  The deliberate choice even influences productivity, as employees choose to do what it takes to make their employer successful.”

-- Roger Herman, Strategic Business Futurist

There are dimensions for becoming an Employer of Choice.  Here are some of the ways St. Mary’s Hospital addresses them:

Organizational Culture

SMH’s culture is one of communication:

• Employee Satisfaction Survey
• Around the Clock meetings with the President & CEO with follow-up document to all employees
• Breakfast with the President & CEO
• Newsletters (To The Point and CARE Communiqué)
• Multidisciplinary performance improvement teams for communication between departments
• Problem Solving Process/Employee Representative

Leadership

• Visible and accessible to staff
• Servant Leadership style – considers leadership to be a servant, a support to staff.  Asks the questions, “How can I help you to accomplish your job?”
• Employee Recognition (example:  SMH Manager’s Tool kit)
• Welcomes new hires
• Leadership Development (training)
• Environment of coaching that includes constructive counseling

Care of People

• Maintains a safe, healthy work environment
• Employee Appreciation Events such as Special Activities Committee (Winter Bash, Book Fairs, bus trips), holiday meal, the annual picnic, celebratory meals like a steak meal for Press Ganey scores and 1000th Employee Celebration
• Employee focus group formed to address the extended work day
• Recognizes milestones and special occasions – Annual Employee Awards Banquet, birthday cards/celebration
• Response to SMH employee and community tragedies such as Hurricanes Katrina & Rita assistance and death of family members.
• Encourages staff to recruit their friends (SMH Critical Position Referral Program)
• Employee Health staffed by a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse
• Added new medication to health plan to assist with smoking cessation
• Special promotions such as United Way and St. Mary’s Hospice House
• SMH Exercise Program
• Free flu shots
• Employee Assistance Program
• Remembers alumni – invites retirees to SMH events

Growth and Opportunity

• Career/Clinical Ladders
• Tuition Reimbursement and Scholarships
• Certification Bonus
• On-site continuing education opportunities that include CPR at no cost
• Transfer opportunities (positions posted for five days before presented to the public)
• Walk-A-Mile shadowing program
• Off-site continuing education
• Clinical Coordinator, Nursing Education and Clinical Specialist support

Human Resources Processes

• Compensation – compensation reviews twice a year     
• Benefits – solicits suggestions from staff
• Performance-based pay
• Generous paid time off (PTO) program
• Pharmacy discount
• Recruitment efforts
• Regular benefits education in CARE Communiqué
• Cafeteria discounts (free coffee and tea)