Health Careers Workforce Campaign

June 14, 2023 Industry Source 939 Views 0 Comments Health Science Education

Michigan hospital and education leaders joined forces today to highlight the current state of Michigan’s healthcare workforce shortage and launch a campaign to expand interest in health careers in Michigan.

“Michigan’s healthcare industry is the largest private sector employer in the state. More than one million Michiganders work in healthcare, making a combined $73.7 billion in wages, salaries and benefits,” said Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA). “Unfortunately, we are seeing continued job shortages in hospitals and health systems, which pose a risk to healthcare service accessibility across the state.”

While many are aware of the shortage of physicians and nurses, high demand exists for non-clinical roles as well, with more than 27,000 total open positions at hospitals across the state. Within the next five years, the U.S. faces a projected shortage of more than 3.2 million lower-wage healthcare workers such as medical assistants, home health aides and nursing assistants, according to a Mercer report.

Raise Awareness

The healthcare and education industries are working to raise awareness of the current openings and career paths that exist within hospitals and healthcare systems. The goal of the new Mi Hospital Careers campaign is to ensure that students in high school and college know about those opportunities, as well as working professionals looking for a rewarding career. Without addressing the existing healthcare workforce shortage, Michigan residents risk losing access to quality, accessible healthcare services within their local community.

“Michigan’s public universities are primed and ready to help address the healthcare workforce shortage facing the state,” said Daniel J. Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities. “Strengthening the talent pipeline for these high-demand careers will require additional investments in higher education that improve college affordability and increase enrollment.”

Michigan hospital employees make an average of $65,000 per year – higher than the state average of $48,000. Hospitals across Michigan have gotten creative to offer competitive modern workplaces for employees, including increased bonuses and benefits, on-site daycare, tuition support, wheels-to-work programs and more.

“Healthcare careers, particularly nursing, provide an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful, long-term and successful career,” said Amy Brown, MSN, RN, NE-BC, chief nursing officer of E.W. Sparrow Hospital. “Our state and our current pool of nurses continue to age, creating a situation where we need young professionals entering the workforce to consider nursing careers to meet the future demand of our hospitals.”

Caring for Michiganders not limited to multi-year medical degrees.

Quality patient care relies on professionals from almost every sector, and local hospitals in every community around Michigan are seeking hardworking, passionate residents to help save lives.

“For Michigan hospitals to continue to deliver safe, high-quality care to the communities we serve, we are all in need of clinical and non-clinical talent,” said Shannon Striebich, MHA Board of Trustees Chair-elect, ministry president and senior vice president of Operations at Trinity Health Michigan. “Like most hospitals across the state, Trinity Health Michigan is working very closely with our neighboring colleges and universities to ensure students are aware of rewarding career opportunities within healthcare and the many good-paying jobs available within their own community.”

The campaign will launch Monday, June 12 and run through September 2023.

Source: Health Careers Workforce Campaign