Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force
The goal of the Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force is to address the severe current and projected shortages of health care personnel in Washington. The Task Force has 20 members, representing business, labor, education, and government.
The Task Force regularly updates a strategic plan. The plan outlines actions for the Legislature, state and local agencies, educators, labor, health care industry employers, and workers to take to close the gap. In 2003, the Legislature passed Engrossed Senate House Bill 1852 directing the Workforce Board to continue convening the Task Force, to monitor the state plan and report to the Legislature annually.
The Task Force holds public meetings at least twice a year to oversee progress on achieving the goals and strategies of the plan. Progress is tracked through outcome measures.
What is the Task Force plan for addressing health care personnel shortages?
The Task Force plan outlines six goals:
- Increase educational capacity and efficiency in health care training programs to enable more people to gain qualification to work in health care occupations.
- Recruit more individuals, especially targeted populations, into health care occupations and promote adequate preparation prior to entry.
- Develop a data collection and analysis system to assess health workforce supply and demand.
- Retain current health care workers.
- Enable local communities to implement strategies to alleviate the health care personnel shortage in their areas.
- Develop a mechanism to ensure continued collaboration among stakeholders, track progress, create accountability for fulfilling this plan, and to plan for future health workforce needs.
Does the Task Force report to the Legislature?
Yes, state statute passed in 2003 (ESHB 1852) requires that the task force report its progress annually to the Governor and Legislature.
Here is the lastest annual report.
When does the Task Force meet?
The Task Force holds meetings at least twice a year to oversee progress on the state plan. Additional meetings will be held as needed.
Who may attend Task Force meetings?
Any one is welcome to observe Task Force meetings. There is space for about 40 audience members at each meeting.
How does the Task Force connect to local Skill Panels?
Since 2000, the Workforce Board has issued grants to support Industry Skill Panels for the purpose of enhancing competitiveness for industries that are key to a local region’s economy. Health care is considered such an industry and there are health care Skill Panels in each of the state’s 12 Workforce Development Areas. While health Skill Panels are not solely responsible for activities that eliminate health workforce shortages, they play a pivotal role and are often a catalyst.
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