Minnesota hospital job vacancies triple in one year

Oct 26, 20220

Alex Kormann, Star Tribune count

Respiratory therapists such as Corrin O'Gara at M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury are in short supply in Minnesota. The job vacancy rate for all hospital workers has increased from 6% to 21% over the past year, according to the Minnesota Hospital Association, but is even higher in this specialty.

The job vacancy rate in Minnesota hospitals has surged from 6% to 21% over the past year, leaving health care systems scrambling to maintain patient care with high-cost temporary help.

Rising labor costs drove 56% of Minnesota hospitals and health care systems' finances into the red through the first half of 2022, according to a report released Tuesday by the Minnesota Hospital Association. That compares with 41% reporting negative operating margins last year.

"The workforce issues are driving part of the financial crisis and making it significantly worse," said Dr. Rahul Koranne, the trade association's president and chief executive.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-hospital-job-vacancies-triple-in-one-year/600218861/