by DR. JOY JACKSON
The past few years have placed unexpected strain on the public healthcare system, making recruitment and retention of public health workers a significant challenge, and that includes county health departments, such as the Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk).
DOH-Polk plays a vital role in promoting community health and well-being. We offer a wide range of services designed to address the diverse health needs of our community. We provide direct patient care, including medical, dental, and immunization services, alongside supportive programs like WIC and Healthy Start. Our diverse programs also include vital services such as HIV/AIDS care, hepatitis programs, children’s and adult health services, and women’s health care.
In addition to direct services, our efforts extend to environmental health and emergency response, as well as broader community health initiatives aimed at understanding the specific needs of our population. We conduct community health assessments to gather data that informs our actions aimed at improving the health and quality of life for residents in our community.
The diversity of our various programs necessitates a tailored approach to recruitment efforts. We aim to hire the best-suited employees to match the specific needs of each program. This strategy ensures that we have the right expertise and skills in place to effectively serve our community and address its health challenges.
To address our needs, we implement several strategies.
We practice program-specific hiring. We tailor job descriptions and requirements to match the unique needs of each program. This process begins with a thorough review of the specific responsibilities and skills required for each role, allowing us to identify the key elements that should be highlighted in job postings. We provide detailed descriptions of the day-to-day tasks associated with each position, giving candidates a clear understanding of what the role entails. Additionally, we emphasize the goals of each program to attract individuals who are passionate about making a difference in those areas. To ensure our job descriptions remain relevant and accurate, we regularly review and update them. When evaluating candidates, we specifically seek individuals with specialized skills and experience that align with the unique demands of each role.
We actively engage with our community by attending local career fairs and speaking at educational institutions. This approach helps create a pipeline for students to become future public health workers. In addition, we offer internships in several programs to attract and train potential employees, providing them with experience while allowing us to assess them for future positions. Throughout our recruitment process, we prioritize candidates who demonstrate a passion for public health and a commitment to serving our community.
We also recognize that retaining skilled and passionate employees is crucial for maintaining our health department and the services that we provide. Our retention approach includes offering comprehensive benefit packages, providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement, and fostering a supportive work environment.
We do regular training and workshops to keep our staff updated on the latest public health practices and technologies, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their respective fields. We ensure that our staff grow in their professional roles, rather than be stymied and frustrated.
Furthermore, we prioritize employee well-being by promoting work-life balance and offering wellness programs. We understand that the demanding nature of public health work can be challenging, and we strive to create a supportive atmosphere that values and nurtures our employees’ physical and mental health.
Through this approach, DOH-Polk continues to play a vital role in promoting and protecting the health of our community, despite the current challenges in public health workforce recruitment and retention.
About the Author: Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOH-Polk on Twitter at twitter.com/FLHealthPolk.