Hiring needs at Prince County Hospital

by Heidi Riley

Prince County Hospital in Summerside is the second largest acute care hospital in the province. The 110-bed facility provides emergency, inpatient and ambulatory care services.

“Approximately 800 staff work at this hospital,” says Rob Philpott, Administrator of the Prince County Hospital (PCH). “It’s a great organization with a tremendous team.”

Departments specific to PCH that report to the Hospital Administrator

In departments such as Ambulatory Care, Medical Units, and Oncology, job titles include

• Registered Nurses
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Personal Care Workers are involved in hands-on patient care
• Ward Clerks who help manage patient files and provide information to patients and their families

In Rehabilitation services, there are

• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Respiratory Therapists

Support Services staff include:

• Dietary (Cooks, Dieticians)
• Housekeeping
• Grounds Maintenance
• Facility Maintenance (Trades people, utility workers),
• Security

Jobs at provincial programs at the PCH

The following is a list of provincial programs that operate out of the PCH:

• Provincial Lab
• Provincial Pharmacy
• Provincial Diagnostic Imaging
• Mental Health
• Surgical Services

Employment opportunities at PCH

As of the end of August 2024, PCH had a total of 144 vacant positions to be filled. “There are opportunities throughout the hospital,” says Rob.

“We are recruiting across a number of areas including nursing, respiratory therapy, physiotherapy, ward clerks, security staff, maintenance tradespersons, and electricians, to ensure the hospital keeps running as it should.”

“In addition to www.jobspei.ca many departments here at PCH will reach out directly to candidates in the community who have a specific skill set for a hard-to-fill role.

“We have to be creative and diligent in our recruiting efforts. We look to develop relationships with prospective candidates and try to build on those relationships.

“We are competing with other hospitals across the country, and it is a very competitive marketplace, even more so since the pandemic. That said, there are many opportunities for those considering a career in healthcare.”

Recent hiring

As of June 2024, Health PEI has hired the following positions for the PCH:

• Two Internal Medicine Specialists – the new hires complement the two existing Internal Medicine Physicians. “We are always open to hiring more Internists, but the market for Internists and Physicians in general is very competitive,” says Rob.
• Increased the number of Respiratory Therapists to 6.4 full-time equivalents (FTEs). “We are recruiting to fill four more vacant positions.”
• Experienced critical care Registered Nurses for emergency, progressive care, and intensive care units.
• 6 new graduate Registered Nurses joined the PCU team in August 2024

How to find open positions

Visit www.jobspei.ca for a list of PEI healthcare jobs open to the public. “If you are short-listed for a job you’ve applied for, there is usually a quick turnaround between the time you submitted your application and the date of your interview,” says Rob.

Rob has another suggestion for people looking for work in PCH. “If you are interested in working in a particular area of the hospital, reach out to the manager of that service and develop a relationship. Let them know you are interested in a particular position and highlight your background and qualifications and what you can bring to the role. They may keep you in mind if future opportunities open up.

“Opening that line of communication with the manager is a good start, and you can develop a network with other hospital leaders. There may not currently be any opportunities in your area of interest, but there may be in the future.

“Your persistence will pay off. When a manager has an opening in their area, they may think of a person they know before they consider a job posting. Or, if they become aware of opportunities in another area, they may pass your name on to the manager(s) of that service.”

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The impact of volunteering

“We have a very strong network of volunteers at PCH,” says Rob. “Some of our volunteers are retired, while others such as students are looking to gain marketable experience. In different ways, all are looking for a way to give back to the community. Volunteers greet you as you arrive at the hospital, make sure you are registered as a patient, and make sure you arrive at your destination within the hospital. We are very appreciative of their contributions and support.

“We also have younger volunteers who are interested in a career in healthcare. Volunteering on our nursing units or other departments gives them a sense of what it is like to work within the hospital.”