At Phillips County Health Systems (PCHS), our vision is clear: We want to be a place where patients want to go, providers want to practice, and people want to work. In Fall 2024, PCHS was honored with the Workforce Strategy Award from the Kansas Hospital Association — a prestigious recognition of our ongoing commitment to transforming this vision into reality. This award reflects our mission of delivering Patient-Centered Excellence by fostering a supportive, engaging, and fulfilling work environment.
Tackling Turnover with Purpose
The challenge was clear, at the beginning of 2023, monthly staff turnover rates were high, reflecting a trend felt across the healthcare industry. Action was needed. The established Employee Engagement Committee took on a renewed sense of purpose, new strategies were developed to enhance and strengthen our mission and vision. Becoming a place where people want to work was elevated to a new level of expectation and energy, creating a revitalized workplace where employees felt valued and empowered, ensuring a resilient healthcare team ready to deliver exceptional patient care.
Turning Strategy into Action
A series of impactful initiatives unfolded throughout 2023, each crafted to enhance employee engagement, recruitment, and retention while embracing our vision. Through a partnership with the HOSA Program, high school students explored healthcare careers. The Employee Wellness Program kicked off with wellness challenges, free gym memberships, and nutrition seminars. Our new-hire mentorship program connected new employees with experienced staff, fostering support and professional growth. The Employee Engagement Committee revved up celebrations such as Hospital Week, the Daisy Award Ceremony, and added the Fall Festival to strengthen camaraderie and recognize achievements. Additionally, we launched C.L.I.M.B., an apprenticeship program designed to empower staff through education, skill development, and structured career pathways. Together, these initiatives and others have created a thriving environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
A Workplace Transformed
The results have been profound. Staff turnover rates dropped from 4-6% per month in 2023 to under 1% in 2024 and have remained steady, reflecting a more stable and motivated workforce. Youth-focused programs have influenced healthcare career choices among local students, creating a proven pathway for inspiring future healthcare professionals. The wellness and mentorship programs have enhanced employee satisfaction, while the apprenticeship program continues to foster personal and professional growth.
PCHS's workforce initiatives have made a positive impact on staff, leading to improvements in both performance and patient care. In late 2024, PCHS was honored with the Chartis Center for Rural Health Award for Excellence in Quality. Additionally, PCHS has maintained an impressive Google rating of 4.7 or greater for three consecutive years. Every day, our staff delivers knowledgeable and compassionate care. Holding a true reflection of the supportive environment cultivated through these impactful programs.
Sustaining Patient-Centered Excellence
These initiatives are just the beginning. As we continue striving to be a place where patients want to go, providers want to practice, and people want to work, PCHS remains committed to enhancing employee satisfaction, strengthening our workforce, and delivering Patient-Centered Excellence every step of the way.
Would you like to join a team dedicated to making a difference? Explore career opportunities and learn more about our mission at PCHS Careers. Visit our career page: www.philliphospital.org/careers, contact us by email at ctaylor@phillipshospital.org, or call (785) 540-4934.
Video provided by Kansas Hospital Association - Workforce Strategy 2024.