Central Kansas Medical Center employees who are facing upcoming layoffs attended a job fair on Tuesday.
While it is impossible to know all the ultimate success stories that result from the CKMC job fair, Delbert Randolph saw quite a number in the making.
Randolph is workforce services supervisor at KansasWorks, 1025 Main, which has been collaborating with CKMC since it first announced upcoming layoffs. Approximately 130 full- and part-time employees will lose their jobs when CKMC becomes St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center on May 1.
"Forty-six people signed up at the job fair for all types of positions but primarily for nursing," Randolph said. "They had the opportunity to talk directly with employers who are looking for new employees."
In one instance, Rush County Memorial Hospital representatives indicated they needed a lab manager. Because a CKMC lab employee had attended a KansasWork job-search workshop, Deanna Vannoster, employment specialist, knew how to help.
"I thought of this CKMC employee we met at the workshop and went to the lab and found her," Vannoster said, noting she had help from CKMC volunteers and lab personnel. "This lab employee then met with the Rush County folks."
Randolph noted that there were also good reports from other employers, including Ellinwood District Hospital and Promise Regional Medical. Barton Community College also got leads on those who may be seeking new training for their next jobs.
In one unusual situation, registered nurses learned about openings at Memorial Hospital of Texas County, Guymon, Okla. The R.N. positions entail six days on, and six days off – with an apartment.
"There was a lot of progress at the job fair," Randolph commented. "We are pleased with the good turnout but want everyone to know we are still here for them.
"It is always important for people to have their resumes on file with KansasWorks and centralkansasjobs.com," he added. "We keep these on file for when employers call on us. So, even if someone couldn’t meet with employers face-to-face at the job fair, it is never too late to submit a resume."
Prior to Tuesday’s job fair, KansasWorks conducted rapid-response meetings in February to help employees meet with workforce specialists as soon as possible. It also sponsored workshops on job-interview etiquette and resume writing, and conducted one-on-one career counseling sessions.
"This was all possible because CKMC has been superb to work with," Randolph said. "This is such a difficult experience for everyone at CKMC. But the way they responded has helped a great deal."
Renee Richmeier, Great Bend Area Community Employee Recruiter (ACER), noted that the attendance at the job fair speaks volumes.
"It says a lot about the great cooperation of area businesses, and it demonstrates that CKMC has great employees," Richmeier said. "We want everyone to know that KansasWorks and the ACER Program are always here."
The employers represented at the job fair were: St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City; Promise Regional Medical, Hutchinson; Lakewood Senior Living, Pratt; Ness County Hospital, Ness City; Ellinwood District Hospital, Ellinwood; Hays Medical Center, Hays; Wheatland Nursing Center, Russell; Rooks County Health Center, Plainville; Salina Regional Health Center, Salina; Western Plains Medical Complex, Dodge City; Independent Nursing, Ellinwood; Rush County Memorial Hospital, La Crosse; Presbyterian Manor, Sterling; Centura Hospital, Colorado; Rush County Nursing Home, La Crosse; and Memorial Hospital of Texas County, Guymon, Okla.
