Kootenai Health named “Great Workplace” two years running

For the second year in a row, Kootenai County’s largest employer was named a Gallup Great Workplace, recognizing Kootenai Health as one of the most engaged and productive workforces in the world. The award, created by Gallup, Inc., recognizes organizations for their ability to create engaged workplace cultures and the unique approaches organizations take to achieve engagement success.

In addition to Gallup’s recognition, Kootenai was also named on the “150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare” list by Becker’s Healthcare. Becker’s Healthcare highlights hospitals, health systems and health care companies that promote diversity within the workforce, employee engagement and professional growth. Many members of the list offer unique wellness and personal benefits to ensure employees strike a positive work/life balance. They also emphasize recognition programs to celebrate employees’ accomplishments.

“We are honored to be recognized for creating an environment that encourages employees to do their best work every day,” Dan Klocko, Kootenai Health Executive Vice President of Human Resources, said. “It all circles back to providing quality health care to our community. When employees are connected to, and take pride in their work, it creates better outcomes for our patients.”

Gallup defines engaged employees as involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace. As a result, engaged employees help lead their company to greater levels of performance. Gallup research has consistently found that engaged employees produce better business outcomes than other employees.

Gallup’s rigorous scientific research links employee engagement to nine integral performance outcomes: customer ratings, profitability, productivity, turnover, safety incidents, shrinkage, absenteeism, patient safety incidents and quality. Since implementing its employee engagement strategy in 2012, Kootenai has experienced increased patient satisfaction scores, improved financial performance, and improved employee retention.

“Kootenai Health’s recruiting team focuses its efforts on filling positions with people who are not only qualified to perform the work, but will also be a good fit for our culture and an engaged member of the team,” Klocko said. “Making good hiring decisions lays a foundation on which the employee, department and organization can all realize success.”

Kootenai Health’s commitment to engagement is a cultural point of pride for employees. The employees and leadership at Kootenai understand when employees are engaged, they are passionate and creative, and their enthusiasm fuels growth and innovation. These employees are emotionally connected to their work and deeply invested in their company’s future. As a result, they provide superior patient care.

“Research consistently shows engaged employees produce better outcomes across all industries,” Jon Ness, Kootenai Health CEO said. “For us, these outcomes are transferred to our patients who benefit most from having engaged, compassionate health providers.”