The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority has filled the majority of its non-casual vacancies in recent months, success at a time when health care professionals may have never been in such high demand. Since September, the NRHA, whose region includes Flin Flon, The Pas and Snow Lake, has hired staff for 20 of its 29 non-casual openings. "We're in a very good position right now," said Wanda Reader, executive director of human resources. Reader believes the NRHA has been successful in part because of a recruitment campaign that promotes the North as safe and close-knit with plenty of recreational opportunities. In the ultra-competitive business of recruiting health care staff, the health authority frequently advertises in newspapers and journals. Staff within attend career fairs across the province and advertise at such fairs all across Canada. As an added touch, staff are quick to establish a good rapport with all applicants. See 'Best' P.# Con't from P.# "If we get a resume for a position, we make our best effort to have contact with that person within 48 hours," said Reader. The NRHA currently has nine non-casual vacancies consisting of three nursing positions in Flin Flon; four nursing positions in The Pas; and two vacancies in occupational therapy and physiotherapy in The Pas. Despite its success in filling positions, the NRHA cannot afford to settle back, in Reader's view. "We're certainly not out of the woods," she said, mentioning that the health authority could have up to 10 Registered Nurse retirements before 2006. The health authorities in Manitoba that seem to have the most trouble recruiting professionals are those located between the North and Winnipeg, Reader said.
