What's New at FVHCA &
Past Accomplishments
What's New?
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On June 21, 2012, the FVHCA hosted a summit on “Sustaining the Future Healthcare Workforce” in our region. Over 70 people participated in an afternoon of learning and discussion, and heard highlights from the 2012 Healthcare Worker retirement and departure intentions survey. They also heard a panel of legislative, healthcare and education experts discuss the looming healthcare worker shortage and what they plan to do about it. The FVHCA will be forming a “Workforce Sustainability” committee to continue this important conversation so our area is prepared for the future. Please visit the “Surveys” page for the retirement/departure intentions report that sparked the summit discussions.
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The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Inc. was awarded a Department of Workforce Development Sector Strategies grant to support the activities of the FVHCA. More information to be provided soon!
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The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Inc., in partnership with the Northwest Workforce Development Board and the North Central Workforce Development Board, was awarded a federal H-1B grant in the amount of $4.8 million to assist unemployed and underemployed individuals find employment in an identified group of healthcare positions. For more information, contact Jill Valdez at jvaldez@fvwdb.com or by phone at 920-720-5600.
Past Accomplishments
FVHCA Completes Comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Surveys
FVHCA has conducted comprehensive surveys that identified the healthcare workforce needs specific to our region. The first round was done in 2007 and the second in 2011/2012. For more information, please visit our "Surveys" page to view the results.
(1) The first survey, a Healthcare Retirement and Departure Intentions Survey, provided information on anticipated retirement and/or departure other than retirement and factors which influence those decisions, as well as demographic information (age, gender, specialty area, job function, tenure, and employment status).
Participating organizations received a summary of the future job outlook for various healthcare occupations throughout the seven county area, as well as a detailed report for their current workforce retirement and departure intentions. They now have a deeper understanding of the factors influencing retirements and departures at their respective organization.
(2). The second survey, a Healthcare Retirement and Retention Survey, focused on a total of seven occupational clusters and a miscellaneous cluster, and assessed the current number of positions staffed. Data also included employee ranges and the anticipated staffing level changes over the next five years. Each surveyed organization received a summary of current employment status and future demand positions in the area, a breakdown of employee ages, and a point of comparison to the Retirement and Departure Intention survey data.
FVHCA Improves Communication for Clinical Placements
FVHCA's Uniformity committee has worked to improve communication regarding clinical placements in the Fox Valley area. We've standardized many processes among healthcare providers and schools.
There is now a common clinical request form, a required student/faculty information form (which is submitted after a placement is secured), and general orientation learning modules are now available on-line which means more time actually spent in clinicals.
Job Shadow Process revamped and Career Experience Events are now offered
Career Experience Event - A three hour, interactive event for high school students in the FVHCA service area to learn about various healthcare careers. Students will rotate in small groups through three different career areas and are provided a packet of information at the end. Students are also given a completion certificate if they need attendance verification for classroom credit. If a student successfully completes a session, they become eligible for a one-on-one job shadow to continue the experience.
Education Outreach Summit (2009)
On October 21, 2009, the FVHCA Education Outreach Committee (FVHCA-EOC) hosted a summit for area high school teachers and counselors regarding the opportunities currently provided by healthcare facilities and higher educational institutions in the region. The number one concern is that due to many factors, the volume of student requests for job shadows, health care interviews, and speakers is no longer manageable for healthcare and educational facilities.
Data collected showed that for calendar year 2008, the FVHCA member healthcare facilities participated in:
- 818 job shadows for high school and college students and other adults.
- Approximately 110 speaking engagements for high schools
- Estimated cost: $76.22 - $209.50 per job shadow or $62,349 - $171,371 annual costs (range is dependent on the position(s) requested for presentations)
- Approximately 350-500 students per facility, per semester for college student clinical rotations, nurse externships, and preceptors for nursing students.
For calendar year 2008, the FVHCA higher education facilities participated in:
- Career Exploration Days-with 694 students attending
- Campus Visit or Discovery Days-with 1009 students attending
- Individual Tours- with 412 students touring
Because of the information gathered above, the FVHCA members developed a new system in order to still provide quality educational experiences, but not at the expense of their respective organizations.

