Saint Vincent Health System

Winning Years: 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007
Industry: Hospitals/Health care
Location: Erie, Pa.
Website: www.saintvincenthealth.com

Upon retirement, retirees automatically become part of the RSVP (Retired Saint Vincent Valued Pacesetter) program, which gives retirees the opportunity to stay connected with the health system both personally and professionally. The Phased Retirement program with RSVP allows employees to retire, begin receiving pension benefit and continue working either in their role or in another capacity. The retirees not only receive their pension, but may choose to continue their health, dental and vision benefits, as well as contribute to their 403(b) or 401(k) plans.

See also: How the 2011 Best Employers winners were selected.

The Quarter Century Club' consists of long term employees that have been with Saint Vincent for 25 or more years and engages in philanthropic work throughout the community.

Additional Policies and Practices:

Recruiting: Saint Vincent uses senior placement agencies to target mature workers.  

Workplace Culture / Continued Opportunities: Full- and part-time employees can benefit from the following learning and development programs: tuition reimbursement, in-house classroom training, online training, and certification classes. Employees must work at least 20 hours per week to be eligible for the tuition reimbursement benefit and 8 hours per week for the remaining benefits.

Long-service anniversaries are celebrated with announcements, parties and awards.

The Preceptor Program gives experienced nurses the opportunity to assist in orientation of new graduates, learn education strategies and be formally recognized in their units as seasoned nurses.

Employees have opportunities to gain new experiences by working on temporary assignments in other departments, on team projects and by participating in a formal job rotation program.

Saint Vincent continues to make accommodations for employees in need including redefining job roles, providing amplifying equipment to accommodate hearing loss, reducing work hours when necessary, and providing specialized lighting for surgical room to assist a surgeon with physical limitations.
 
Benefits/Health: Full-and part-time employees receive individual and family medical coverage, individual and family prescription drug coverage, and individual and family vision and dental insurance. Short- and long-term disability is offered to employees working 35 or more hours per week. The hospital offers a Home Host program that reduces the deductible and coinsurance for employees if they go to Saint Vincent for hospital services. In addition, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are available to assist in covering out-of-pocket health care costs.

Next: Financial benefits, phased retirement program. >>