Job-Hunting in Health Care? Ask Questions About the Company’s Support of Employee Health
Because of their unique roles and insights into the country’s health care system, physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses and other medical professionals are likely to ask prospective employers targeted questions about how they define and support employee health and wellness.
“If healthcare professionals aren’t asking the right questions about wellness and benefits resources during their job search, they definitely should be,” says Christie Nuce, ApolloMD’s Director of Human Resources.
“There’s increasing interest from both job applicants and employees in the ways employers can support their overall well-being, with a focus on benefits and wellness programs and resources,” says Nuce. “Some of them are working parents, others are caregivers for aging parents, and many are also in high-stress roles. Everyone’s busy, so what kinds of benefits do companies offer – beyond a 401K, medical, dental and vision— to help employees prioritize their physical, mental and lifestyle needs?
“If you find an employer who says, ‘we have all these great resources to help you navigate all aspects of your life,’” she adds, “you’re more likely to seek out an employer you can stay with long-term—one that can meet your needs through various stages—rather than having to seek out individual resources on your own.”
Essential Questions to Ask Healthcare Employers About Wellness & Benefits
If you’re a job-hunting health care professional, think seriously before the interview phase about the services, benefits and perks that might be most important to you.
- Which specific employee-offered health and wellness programs are most appealing to you when applying for a job?
- Which questions or topics about health and wellness will you ask during the interview process with a potential employer?
- Would an employer’s health and wellness programs influence your decision to accept or reject a job offer?
- Would a potential employer’s commitment to wellness and benefits impact your job satisfaction? Your long-term commitment to the organization?
Key Interview Questions to Assess Employer Wellness & Benefits
Nuce suggests sample questions to consider during the interview process to determine if a potential employer is a good fit for your particular needs, interests and challenges. They include:
- How are your benefits and wellness program tailored, and what are their goals?
- Do you offer programs tailored to employees in various work settings, specialties, or environments?
- Beyond basic benefits, what additional benefits do you offer to support physical and mental health, work-related stress, fatigue, advancement and other challenges?
- How does your company keep employees engaged in wellness, and what does tangible “wellness” look like (e.g., additional services, company events, multi-format access to wellness opportunities, tailored services for on-site employees)?
- What are your company’s values around employee health and wellness?
How employers like ApolloMD step up
Both the challenge and goal for health care providers “is to meet their employees where they are,” Nuce explains.
An employee-owned company, Atlanta-based ApolloMD is loyal to its vision statement — “Healthy Clinicians. Healthy Patients. Healthy Communities.” —because it expressly highlights the importance of patient, community and clinician wellness.