UVM Health Network works with staffing agency to help workers facing systemic barriers Leave a Comment / Health / By admin As staffing issues continue, the University of Vermont Health Network has signed an agreement with a staffing agency that helps place workers facing systemic barriers. Working Fields, a South Burlington-based staffing agency, helps people in recovery, those convicted of crimes and other disadvantaged job seekers, the opportunity to return to the workforce by providing them with peer support. The contract relates to the health network’s environmental services team, which includes highly skilled positions that oversee infection control and cleaning of medical equipment, patient rooms and other areas within healthcare facilities. It is being piloted with 15 positions at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, the health network said. There are currently 35 such openings in the subsidiaries of the health network. Daryn Forgeron, director of marketing at Working Fields, said the company was founded in 2017 “in response to our founder’s lived experience with recovery and incarceration, where he really saw how essential employment is to personal well-being and how a systemic barrier to health and a full life.” Even when a client secures a job, they may face obstacles such as transportation or childcare, so the agency tries to address those gaps and provide clients with a helping hand to get back on track. right, said Forgeron. At a time when Vermont is facing serious increases in drug and alcohol abuse, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, Working Fields’ mission aligns with what health systems aim to do, said Robert Patterson, vice president of human resources and clinical operations at Central Vermont. Medical center. “Our main goal is to take care of patients, but we also help the community,” he said. “This contract by itself won’t really change the way we staff our hospitals, but it could contribute. … And it will really help make a difference in people’s lives.” Signed June 29, the interim staffing agreement is between Working Fields and UVM Medical Center “on behalf of itself and its affiliates,” hospital spokeswoman Annie Mackin said. Envisioned as a pilot project, the health network will pay Fields of Work for temporary employees with the hope that they can transition into permanent positions. “We’re finalizing a few things right now, but we’re really excited to try it out. I think it will also help us from a work perspective,” said Patterson. Working Fields will provide a candidate to interview for such a position and if hired, cover expenses such as their salary, insurance and liability, while providing them with peer support to help them succeed. After six months, if appropriate, the person may move to a permanent position in the hospital. Forgeron said Working Fields has already recommended a candidate for an environmental technician role who was once a patient at CVMC and feels the position would be “very fulfilling.” According to Mackin, the health network sees opportunities to expand the program into other areas that also have shortages, such as transportation, food services and couriers. The model could be “one of the rare gains that happens when we are able to support our community and people in recovery to find gainful employment. At the same time, it really helps the employer as well,” said Patterson. Founded on the belief that individuals who have made mistakes but accepted responsibility and entered recovery deserve a second chance, Working Fields has established several partnerships with employers in Vermont and New Hampshire, including Rhino Foods, Darn Tough, Lake Champlain Chocolates and American Meadows, and are excited about the new contract, according to Forgeron. Don’t miss anything. Sign up here to receive VTDigger’s weekly email on Vermont hospitals, health care trends, insurance and state health care policies. Did you know that VTDigger is a non-profit organization? Our journalism is powered by member donations. If you value what we do, please contribute and help make this vital resource accessible to everyone. Related Post navigation ← Previous PostNext Post → Leave a Comment Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Type here..Name* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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