Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

BON SECOURS HEALTH SYSTEM, Richmond, Virginia
Good Help

What is it?
Bon Secours gave community residents a fresh start by finding potential employees through its local Salvation Army and then training them for available jobs. Through Good Help, the hospital screened and initially hired four men as environmental services staff - all recent graduates of the Salvation Army's alcoholism or drug addiction rehabilitation programs. Over the years, the program has developed and new partners have joined. One example is the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, which brought recent immigrants and refugees into the program. Today, new hires are offered a series of classes to assist them in adapting, including on-site GED classes, English as a second language programs, and an essential skills class that teaches the basics of banking and orients new staff to benefits. Additionally, there is a wellness group that meets on payday to help employees work through the challenges of remaining sober.

Who is it for?
All Richmond residents.

Why do they do it?
The unemployment rate in Richmond hovered around 2 percent in 1999 and entry-level workers were hard to find, especially in the area of health care environmental services. Partnering with local community organizations enables the hospital to find talented, qualified individuals in need of a fresh start and steady employment.

Impact: Approximately 75 people have been involved the program. Currently, 31 are on staff and a number of employees have been promoted to other positions such as patient care technicians, operating room technicians, anesthesia technicians, and one employee left to become an emergency medical technicians.

Contact: Weston (Wes) R. Thiss, CHESP
President, AHA Certification Center
Director of Environmental Services
Bon Secours Health System - VA
Telephone: 804-287-7122
E-mail: wes_thiss@bshsi.com