The Northern Health Board is currently examining new recruitment and retention strategies for future and current staff.

The February Human Resources report has detailed a number of initiatives to improve workforce planning including a new Workforce Planning Toolkit to help manage, identify and overcome departmental challenges regarding staff recruiting and retaining.

Photo credit: University Hospital of Northern British Columbia

“We recognize that we need practical solutions and strategies and strong leadership to address the unique recruitment and retention challenges faced by largely rural and remote regions such as ours,” said Northern Health Board Chair Colleen Nyce.

“We also recognize the need for, and appreciate, the relationships we have fostered with communities, academic institutions, our health care unions and the provincial government that contribute to our recruitment successes.”

A newly-created Regional Director position will oversee Northern Health’s HR department during strategy development.

The initial plan is set to be presented to the Northern Health Board for approval in fall 2018.

Profession-based recruitment has already seen positive results in acquiring two newly-hired physiotherapists, two nurses, a speciality nurse and a sonographer.

In regards to retention, Northern Health is working to further coordinate and extend its retention strategies with focusing on supporting and training first-line supervisors and managers, offering additional leadership development opportunities and supporting new graduates to take part in educational workshops.

“We strongly believe these and other initiatives in 2018 will help us to mitigate or overcome many of the challenges we face,” said David Williams, VP Human Resources.

“Improved planning combined with strong local and provincial partnerships will help us increase talent pools, and build on the momentum of the past year."

Visit the Northern Health website for more information on new and upcoming strategies.