Chatham-Kent Health Alliance returns to the job fair in person

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After a challenging three years for the sector, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials remain hopeful that future employees will continue to consider a career in health care.

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The hospital group hosted an in-person job fair, its first since 2020, Tuesday at the John D. Bradley Convention Center in Chatham to help promote clinical and support positions.

These include nurses and personal support workers, along with respiratory therapists, physical therapists, laboratory and diagnostic technologists/technicians.

Other departments such as housekeeping, medical device processing, registration, patient appointment office and food services were also present.

“It’s just such a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase what’s available at CKHA,” Lori Marshall, president and CEO, told The Daily News.

“(It’s a) one-stop shopping model where a person can look at their current options and maybe think about their future.”

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Representatives from the CKHA leadership team and staff were on hand to offer information about the hospital’s programs, services and application process. Interviews for clinical positions were offered on site.

There are 1,400 employees at the hospital’s Chatham and Wallaceburg locations. Marshall said there is an overall vacancy rate of approximately eight percent, adding that it is better than the provincial average, but some services are higher, including nursing and laboratory positions.

She said the organization regularly plans for retirement, noting that more employees have chosen that option since the pandemic.

Marshall added that although burnout does happen, she believes health care is an “exciting, challenging and rewarding” field.

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“The other message is that we have a unique organization and culture (at CKHA),” she said.

Kaylynn List, a personal assistant, said she wanted to get back into the profession after being on maternity leave.

“I’ve always wanted to work in a hospital,” she said, adding that she had previously worked in long-term care since 2016.

List acknowledged that the peak of the pandemic was a “complicated” time to work in health care and is glad to see that the situation has improved significantly.

Kyle Piggott, a recent graduate of Western University’s registered nursing program, said there are “a lot of different options” and he’s considering his options.

With several nurses in his family, he said he appreciates the choice of where he can work, as well as the opportunity to care for people.

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit www.ckha.on.ca/careers and apply online for future opportunities.