The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) continues to work and develop ways to help our members with workforce issues but even more important – solutions.
As rural health care organizations continue to navigate workforce shortages, recruitment is often the first place leaders look for solutions. But part of the answer may already be inside the organization.
Support staff, medical assistants, certified nursing assistants (CNA) and other team members already understand their communities, patients and organizational workflows. Creating internal career pathways can help health care organizations build on that experience while giving employees opportunities to develop new skills and advance within the organization.
One approach is the use of micro-credentials and stackable learning opportunities. Rather than requiring employees to step away from work for lengthy educational programs, short, competency-based training can provide more flexible opportunities to build skills over time.
Technology can also be part of that development. Targeted training can prepare existing employees to take on new responsibilities, from using AI-supported scheduling and referral tools to developing skills that support more complex patient care and care transitions. The goal is to expand organizational capacity while creating visible opportunities for employees to grow.
For rural health care organizations, investing in the people already on the team can be an important piece of a broader workforce strategy. Clear career ladders, mentorship, cross-training and accessible education can help employees see a future within their organization—and help employers strengthen their workforce from within.
Watch the companion video:
As SDAHO continues to share workforce resources with members, this video offers another way to explore practical strategies for developing, supporting and retaining the health care workforce already serving South Dakota communities.
