St. Joseph’s chosen as top-40 employer in state
By EMILY HUNKLER, Enterprise Staff WriterArticle Photos
SARANAC LAKE - The New York State Society for Human Resources Management has chosen St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center as one of the top 40 best companies to work for in the state.
"We're pretty proud of achieving it the first time around," said Katie Kirkpatrick, human resources director at St. Joseph's. "But this is something that we have prepared for, and we don't think this happened by chance."
Within the top-40 designation, St. Joseph's is among the top 20 companies with fewer than 250 employees.
Employee questionnaire
All of St. Joseph's more than 130 full- and part-time employees were invited to participate in the online questionaire, which was a large component in ranking different employers.
Employees were asked to anonymously answer questions regarding the company's goals and how to achieve them, recognition for work well done, relationships between supervisors and subordinates, open communication, teamwork, flexibility, benefits and many more.
"I am very proud that we were selected. I believe that we deserve it," Family counselor Beckie O'Neill said. "I absolutely love my job and working at St. Joseph's."
O'Neill has been a family counselor for four years and was a yoga instructor at the center for 21 years before that.
"We like to find ways to help employees with hardships - personal and financial problems. That's the type of environment we try to support," Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick said laptops are available for employees to work on from home, and personal crisis situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.
"We try to create a community of people that work together and let them know that there is a creative energy and commitment to deal with crisis situations," St. Joseph's CEO Bob Ross said.
"The administration is responsive to our needs and with Bob Ross at our helm, we are in very good hands," O'Neill said.
Still getting better
St. Joseph's CEO Bob Ross said St. Joseph's is constantly striving to better itself, and this designation is just validation of those efforts.
Last year, an addiction counseling instructor from North Country Community College agreed to evaluate St. Joseph's free of charge and suggest areas of improvement.
Areas which have already seen improvements include nursing coverage 24 hours a day and seven days a week, increasing activities for residents, expanding the spiritual counseling program and several others.
Kirkpatrick attributes much of the employees' contentment with St. Joseph's to listening to issues from every level of employee.
"You really need support from the top, but you need to listen from the bottom up," she said, adding that Ross is always open to suggestions and ideas from any employee. "Nothing is too crazy for him. He doesn't always go for everything, but he'll listen to it."
Kirkpatrick, who spearheaded the effort to be named among the state's best employers, said she was encouraged to do so by her mentor Kathleen Caggiano-Siino, executive deputy commissioner of the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, as part of the department's talent management initiative.
"She wants us to be a profession of choice," Kirkpatrick said. "We have really taken that to heart."
Congratulations
"This designation, which is a reflection of not just our employees' satisfaction with our mission but also how the staff feels regarding an important range of factors from compensation to excitement about future projects, affirms that St. Joseph's is both a rewarding and appreciative employer," said Ed Mucenski, chairman of St. Joseph's Board of Trustees.
Ross and Kirkpatrick said the type of person who wishes to work for St. Joseph's helps develop the culture of the workplace.
"This is much more than just about the benefits or compensation we offer; it says something about our culture," Ross said.
"I believe most of the people who are employed by St. Joseph's are truly devoted to the mission, which then benefits both the residents and the staff," O'Neill said.
Village Mayor Tom Michael joined in congratulating one of the largest employers in the area.
"St. Joe's is an incredible asset to the Saranac Lake community," he said. "This award is reflective of how St. Joseph's cares about the careers of its employees."
An awards dinner, to be held in Albany on April 23, will announce each company in order of rank on the top-40 list, which is presently unknown.
Contact Emily Hunkler at 891-2600 ext. 24 or
ehunkler@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
