The hospital and medical offices are built on a sand dune surrounded by Douglas fir and rhododendron. Lunch break? Walk the beach, meet friends at an Old Town café, or run home for a sandwich — all options when you work for PeaceHealth in Florence (pop. 6,700) on Oregon’s central coast. To the south is 40-mile-long Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. To the north, tide pools and hiking trails at Cape Perpetua and the bustling port town of Newport. To the east, steelhead fishing on the Siuslaw River and, an hour away, Eugene with its restaurants and shops and performing arts center.
Q.What types of specialty
services does your organization provide?..
The medical staff includes more than 60 resident and visiting physicians representing 17 medical and surgical specialties. Health Associates of Peace Harbor is a multi-specialty medical group of physicians and allied professionals, including a midwife and nurse practitioners. Our services include birthing services, emergency care, foot and nail care, heart care, home health care, hospice, imaging services, intensive care, mental health, parish nursing, a personal response system, primary physicians care and visiting specialists, rehabilitation services, surgical, and women's service.
Q.Describe any future
expansion plans, added services or new developments for your facility?
We have just completed a major medical project including adding nuclear medicine, cardiac rehab and in building MRI. They have the most sophisticated MRI system in the state of Oregon at this time. The imaging center is state of the art and would rival some the major medical centers in the state. With the growth of the community and the sophistication of the medical services here, they are looking to expand in the future.
Q. What
makes working in your organization different from working for other employers?
The hospital has a great family atmosphere, and we're an extremely team-oriented organization. There are opportunities for employees to become cross-trained and more multi-faceted in their positions. The hospital presents a challenge to its employees to learn many different jobs and a variety of numerous skills. This is a community-oriented hospital and the residents of this area are supportive of the facility. The hospital is about 65% Medicare case mix. This is predominantly a retirement community. With ideal weather, and our coastal location keeping the temperatures very mild, Florence is a great place to live.
Q.Can you explain the
career opportunities available for new graduates in your organization?
The area is predominately a retirement community, therefore younger people may be challenged by this fact and the small size of the area. However, we hire new graduates, although at this time there is not a formalized mentor program that has been developed. We have discussed the option of adding a Training Coordinator at some point in the future.
Q. What
can a candidate expect during their interview process?
There is a fairly decentralized interview and employment system. The managers do the majority of the screening. The applicants come through the Human Resource Department but then are forwarded to the managers, with managers implementing an across the board interviewing process.
Q.What are some common
mistakes candidates make when applying for jobs with your facility?
One common mistake is a misunderstanding of the role that the employee is assuming, i.e., call duties. Due to the size of the community and the hospital, there is more of a demand on the employee’s time. This pertains more to imaging, respiratory therapy and counseling services.
Q. Describe
the employee compensation and benefit packages available at your organization.
Q.Most facilities stress
only the positive aspects of working for their organization. What are some
of the challenges faced by new employees and even experienced personnel?
One of the major challenges is the lack of education opportunities within the community. There is a branch of Lane Community College here in Florence. The hospital is partnering with the college to provide more classes in the nursing field and offer students an opportunity to complete their nursing program within the area. They are looking into video conferencing, real time lectures, and telecommunications.
Q. What
is the best way for a candidate to apply for a job with your facility?
If provided,
please follow the link/s below to access employment opportunities
at Peace Harbor Hospital. If employment opportunity information is not available
at this time, you are advised to contact the facility's Human Resource
Department for more information.
To
help you get a better picture of the community surrounding Peace Harbor Hospital, you may also
want to check out any Related Links (Part IV), below, for further community, business and hospital information.
Community
Highlights
Oregon's most picturesque coastal scenery, rugged cliff lines and vast sandy beaches.
Home of the U.S.'s most photographed Lighthouse
Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area
Deep-sea fishing, crabbing or clamming!
Whale watching!
Additional
Thoughts About The Community
Historic Old Town Florence is one of the most beautiful and charming of the many Oregon coast cities. Located on the waterfront below Highway 101's Siuslaw River Bridge, this un-crowded district is the perfect place to spend time exploring art galleries, antique stores, gift and specialty shops, wine tasting and restaurants serving regional foods and wines.
Source: Old Town Florence
