FEATURE


sional candidates looking for work. This makes it even more important to have effective plans to attract and hold on to your staff.” Another challenge ASCs are facing is intense competition for strong can- didates, Wiebel says. “Highly trained healthcare workers realize they are in demand. They know they can expect to receive multiple employment offers and choose where they want to work.” Crow Valley Surgery Center has two health- care systems and five ASCs within just miles of one another, she says.


Recruit and Retain Top Staff Hire candidates who fit, offer fair compensation and professional development opportunities BY ROBERT KURTZ


W hen considering the impor- tance of building and maintain-


ing a strong staff, a quote attributed to Douglas Conant comes to mind, says Meg Wiebel, RN, CASC, administra- tive director of Crow Valley Surgery Center in Bettendorf, Iowa. “He said, ‘To win in the marketplace, we must win in the workplace,’” Wiebel says. “Our staff represent the front line of our ASC. Their importance cannot be overstated. They ultimately determine whether or not we succeed.” Conant is perhaps best known for leading companies such as Nabisco Foods Company, Campbell Soup Com- pany and Avon Products. As many ASCs are finding, how-


ever, good team members are increas- ingly difficult to come by, says Sami Spencer, chief executive officer of


12 ASC FOCUS APRIL 2020 | ascfocus.org


LEARN MORE AT ASCA 2020


The session “Headhunter Confidential: Adventures in Hiring” on Saturday, May 16, from 9:40–11:10 am will discuss how to identify, attract, screen, acquire and retain top talent. See the complete schedule on the ASCA 2020 Conference & Expo website.


ascassociation.org/ annualconference/schedule


Missoula Bone & Joint Surgery Cen- ter in Missoula, Montana. “The chal- lenge for us in Montana, as is likely the case in many other places, is that our unemployment rate is so low. This means there are not many profes-


Elevate Your Profile Despite these obstacles, ASCs can improve their chances for recruitment success. One way to distinguish your facility is to create an inviting work environment, says Paula Solipaca, RN, administrator of Jefferson Surgi- cal Center at the Navy Yard in Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania. “When we have an opening, word of mouth is one of our most effective ways to attract good candidates. Staff want to tell others about their great expe- rience working at our ASC. We con- sider that a huge differentiator for us.” Motivating staff


to help spread


that word can encourage referrals, Wiebel adds. “Many of our employ- ees are recruited or recommended by current employees. We have a gen- erous employee recruiting bonus for this purpose.” Missoula Bone & Joint Surgery


Center leverages all available resources to help cast a wide net, Spencer says. “When trying to find profession- als with particular certifications and licenses, we have leaned on the ASCA Career Center. Other online platforms have also helped generate leads.” Convincing strong candidates to


apply to work at your ASC is an impor- tant first step in the recruitment process. The second step is convincing those candidates to agree to work at your ASC. Solipaca says fair compensation goes a long way in achieving this goal.


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