The mission of Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) relies on the good work of over 7,000 employees. We believe that employees are the most important resource in our ministry.
Daily headlines report how United States employers are experiencing a significant shortage of qualified workers, and this is certainly true among aging services providers.
PHS continues to take action to meet these challenges, moving forward to recruit, retain and develop dedicated employees for this purposeful work. We are committing substantial energy and creativity towards our workforce goals, from a dedicated committee of the PHS Board to over 100 current workforce initiatives. We want to share what we are doing and how you, our readers, can help.
Some highlights include:
- Starting in October, we are making the most significant total wage increase in our history – a more than $17 million increase in wages and related benefits, with a minimum increase of 3.5% and more than 10% in some roles in which the labor market is most challenged.
- This increase also comes on the heels of a second round of appreciation pay of up to $1,000 that was recently given to staff based on hours worked this past year.
- We continue to benefit from our International Nurse Recruitment program, working with our partners in the Philippines to bring skilled caregivers to PHS.
- We believe strongly in developing our people and promoting from within. We offer career development opportunities through our Leadership Institute, scholarship and nurse loan forgiveness programs, and our in-house nursing assistant training program.
- Our in-house staffing agency works to provide relief staffing and minimize the impact of a tight labor market on services provided.
PHS has been blessed with a
stable economic model and diverse portfolio of services. We can invest in our workforce while maintaining a positive overall cash flow for capital improvements and continued enhancements to resident services. PHS is very intentional in how we approach employee wages, always mindful of the direct connection between what residents and clients pay and what we pay staff. In fact, wages and benefits make up over half of our total expenses.
We are grateful for all our current employees. They are remarkable people who carry their skill and love into the homes of older adults every day. In the past 18 months they have been shouldering increased workloads and have risen to new and changing practices in face of the pandemic and workforce shortages. They continue to give of themselves every day with resolve, dedication and joy. The kind words and prayers they have received from residents, clients, family and each other are significant and sustaining to their good work.
Employees: valued and empowered to make a difference
PHS has so much to offer as an employer and is committed to a work environment where employees are valued and empowered to make a difference. It is crucial that we increase the employees who provide direct services and care. We have open positions include dining servers, housekeepers, nursing assistants, drivers and more.
So, we are taking an “all hands on deck” approach. Along with the many PHS initiatives, we’re turning to our current staff, volunteers, residents and families to serve as ambassadors.
Help us strengthen our workforce: recommend, support or join our team!
We’re also including you, our blog readers. Please reach out to people you know who you think might be a good fit for our ministry, including friends and family members — even yourself! All our open positions are posted at
www.preshomes.org/careers. The site is searchable by our 50+ locations as well as by position.
We are also grateful to our many volunteers who dedicate their precious time and talents. They truly make a difference as well. We welcome others who might consider volunteering at any of our communities.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities that help meet needs and enrich lives.
You can also lend your support by giving to special funds designated for employees through the Presbyterian Homes Foundation. These include the Shining Star Program to honor individual employees, and general funds for Employee Hardship, Employee Appreciation and Employee Education Assistance. More information about these giving opportunities can be found on
our website or by contacting the Foundation at 651-631-6100 or
[email protected].
Jesus told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2). In that spirit, we invite our readers to be in prayer with and for us — that God would bless our work and enlarge our workforce so that we can serve and offer our best to God and to the older adults we are called to serve.
The challenge before us is great, but we have faith in the God of abundance who will continue to bless us through the hearts, hands and minds of current and future employees who choose to work with us. By remaining true to our mission, we trust God to increase our capacity to provide the highest quality service and care to you, the residents, whose homes we are privileged to come into and work every day.
Do you know someone looking for more purpose in their work?
Share the good news and the many opportunities to join our team at www.preshomes.org/careers.
PHS is an equal opportunity employer.