To: CNOs, HR Directors and Governmental Affairs staff
From: Ian Corbridge, RN, MPH, Policy Director, Patient Safety
Staff Contact: Ian Corbridge, RN, MPH, Policy Director, Patient Safety, ianc@wsha.org, 206-216-2514
Subject: Input Needed on Washington State’s Health Care Workforce Survey
Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you of Washington State’s health care workforce survey and to encourage hospitals and health systems to complete the survey by August 31.
Applicability/Scope
The WSHA Board has identified workforce challenges as a top priority for the association. This workforce survey will help inform policy discussions in Olympia for the 2019 legislative session and beyond. WSHA used past survey results to strengthen our position on key pieces of health care legislation important to hospitals. We need more participation from hospitals and health systems to make the new round of data collection meaningful and actionable. This is a great opportunity to let your voice be heard and to tell your success or challenges around health care recruiting hurdles, common skill gaps and other workforce challenges.
Recommendation
- Review this bulletin and contact WSHA staff if you have questions;
- Review the Washington Health Workforce Sentinel Network survey and complete the survey. You can copy or paste the URL below into your internet browser:
https://uwfamilymedicine.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhEJ4jEwJ1YwEWF; and
- Submit feedback by August 31.
Overview
The Washington State Health Workforce Sentinel Network is seeking input on their 2018 workforce survey. The survey results will help policymakers, workforce planners and educators identify and respond to changing demand for health care workers, with a focus is on identifying newly emerging skills and roles required by employers in both rural and urban areas.
The results from the survey will remain confidential and will help us better advocate on behalf of hospital and health systems in Olympia.
To access past survey results, click here
Next Steps
Please start working with your appropriate leaders to review the survey and consider completing the survey for your hospital and health system.
Background and References
Since launching the Sentinel Network, health care providers have identified common occupational skills they need—but can’t always get. Sentinels have also provided feedback on changing health care roles, helping Washington’s education and training programs retool to reflect these changes. Check the findings dashboard to view what Sentinels have said to-date. Some summaries of findings have been assembled for several occupations and facility types: community health clinics, long-term care facilities, select behavioral health occupations, medical assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses.
If you have specific question regarding the survey please contact: healthworkforce@wasentinelnetwork.org, (206) 543-9797.
Washington’s Sentinel Network is a collaboration of the state’s Workforce Board and the University of Washington’s Center for Health Workforce Studies. Funding to initiate the Sentinel Network came from the Healthier Washington initiative, with ongoing support from Governor Inslee’s office.
