Oregon-based health care organization utilizes live virtual interviews to increase job candidate pool, create a better candidate experience, and save money during the hiring process.

Background

Samaritan Health Services (SHS) is a network of Oregon hospitals, physicians and a senior care facility that serves the health care needs of people in the mid-Willamette Valley and the Central Oregon Coast. It was formed in 1997 when two longtime, highly-respected health care organizations - Mid-Valley Health Care and Samaritan - decided they could accomplish more working together than they could separately, setting in motion a collaboration unprecedented in the region. SHS operates a number of physicians clinics in the area that include primary care, urgent/walk-in care, and specialty services facilities.

Challenge

Conducting face-to-face interviews is very important for SHS and a requirement during its candidate evaluation. Because many of its physicians clinics are located in a somewhat remote area of the Pacific Northwest, considering an out-of-state candidate was simply not a standard practice for SHS, especially for the individual physician practices.

Kathy Bravo wanted to relocate from Alaska to Oregon. But with four small children, Bravo wasn't in a position to move first and then find a new job once her family settled in. Working against her was the SHS policy that the organization not incur the cost for airfare and hotel accommodations to have out-of-town candidates fly in for the position (medical assistant) that Bravo was interested in. Without GreenJobInterview.com live virtual interviews as an option for SHS, Bravo may not have been considered for the open position.

Solution

SHS Recruitment Manager Amanda Morris and office administrator Karen Bohanan, who works directly with the physicians, coordinated the live virtual interviews between Bravo and SHS decision-makers. Having the ability to conduct its face-to-face interviews through the simple use of a webcam and Internet connection allowed SHS to expand its candidate pool far outside of the general vicinity of central Oregon.

With live virtual interviews, Bravo had the peace of mind that she wouldn't have to pay for her own travel expenses and be away from her family in order to interview in-person. As a result, the entire evaluation process generated a positive interview experience for Bravo. She was able to meet with her future supervisor and colleagues from the comfort of her own home. Lastly, SHS saved hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars in travel-related expenses by interviewing Bravo virtually. SHS has had great response from various team members, and will be using the solution to interview numerous New Graduate Registered Nurses each year from around the country to fill open nursing positions.