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Human resources
professionals perform the vital function of managing personnel issues at
health care facilities. In general, they are responsible for managing and
improving the delivery of high quality employment-related services to
various departments in order to effectively recruit, select, retain,
develop, and manage an organization’s workforce. Depending on the size of
the facility, human resources professionals in a health care setting
usually consist of human resources assistants, recruiters, placement
managers, employer relations representatives, compensation & benefits
specialists, training & development specialists, and a director of human
resources. Some of the various issues that these professionals address
are: limiting job turnover, improving morale and productivity, effectively
utilizing employee skills, providing training opportunities to enhance
those skills, and boosting employees’ satisfaction with their jobs and
working conditions. Most human resources offices also have equal
employment opportunity (EEO) representatives that keep hiring managers
informed about affirmative action laws and guidelines, such as the
Americans with Disabilities Act. In recent decades, human resources
professionals in medical facilities have moved from behind-the-scenes
staff work to leading the company in strategic planning and suggesting
changes in policies. Senior management has quickly come to recognize the
importance of the human resources department to their facility’s overall
success.
Work Environment:
Human resources specialists work in
virtually every health care setting, which includes hospitals, nursing
homes, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, academic medical centers,
managed care organizations, and community health centers.
High School Preparation:
Students interested in human resources
should take high school courses in algebra, biology, computer skills, data
processing, psychology, English, government, history, literature, foreign
language, anatomy, sociology, and health occupations/medical professions
education.
College Requirements:
Because of the diversity of duties and
levels of responsibility, the educational requirements for human resources
professionals vary greatly. Many employers seek college graduates who have
majored in human resources, personnel administration, business, or other
liberal arts majors. Optional training and certification is available from
trade associations such as the American Society for Healthcare Human
Resources Administration and the Society for Human Resource Management.
Two of the most common certifications are Professional of Human Resources
(PHR) and Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR).
Students interested in human resources
should contact schools for information on admission and course of study.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study click here.
Career Outlook:
Overall employment of human resources
professionals is expected to grow 21% - 35% over the next decade. Because
of the health care industry’s increasing efforts to recruit and retain
quality employees, recruitment and placement specialists will enjoy the
greatest surge in employment. Legislation and court rulings setting
standards in areas such as occupational safety, equal employment
opportunity, and family leave will also increase demand for human
resources specialists in health care facilities.
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Salary:
Average Annual
Salary
$70,200
Salary Range
$55,800 - $98,100
Professional Organizations:
American Society
for Healthcare Human Resources Administration
One North
Franklin, 31st Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312)
422-3725
Fax: (312) 422- 4577
Web:
www.ashhra.org
Society for Human
Resource Management
1800 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA
22314
Phone:
(800) 283-SHRM
Fax: (703)
535-6490
Web:
www.shrm.org
American Society
for Training and Development
1640 King St.,
Box 1443
Alexandria, VA
22313
Phone: (703)
683-8100
Fax: (703)
683-8103
Web:
www.astd.org
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