Workforce Shortage Solution
SkillBridge
The SkillBridge program by the Department of Defense offers a unique opportunity for hospitals to tackle workforce shortages while actively contributing to military support
What is SkillBridge?
SkillBridge allows military members to gain civilian work experience at approved partners during the last six months of their military service. Participating hospitals provide on-the-job training and career development resources for the service member to help them find a civilian career after they complete the program, which runs up to 180 days.
Why should my hospital participate?
1Benefit from gaining early access to Service members with extensive experience, skills, and unmatched work ethic.
2Participating hospitals do not pay salary expenses. The Department of Defense continues to pay the service member’s salary and benefits while they participate in SkillBridge.
3This unique opportunity will bring the workforce directly to you! Veterans are accustomed to diverse and challenging environments, which aligns with the dynamic nature of health care.
How to get started
To become an approved SkillBridge partner, hospitals must meet Department of Defense requirements. For example, hospitals must provide a training plan for participants that includes job description information, a timeline for training, an experienced employee to help ensure training is completed, and specific learning objectives for each part of the training. For many hospitals this isn’t difficult, as the initial training work often mimics training and onboarding for all new employees.
The Department of Defense’s SkillBridge website explains the requirements for industry partners. The DOD also holds periodic calls for interested industry partners to help walk them through the process.
To become a SkillBridge partner or to learn more, visit: https://skillbridge.osd.mil/industry-employers.htm.
Additional Resources
Podcast
Learn how health care supply chain leaders are using the Skillbridge program to help address workforce shortages. The podcast explains key factors for health care organizations to consider when working to tap into the Skillbridge program to recruit new team members.
Sample Job Description
Both HonorHealth and Mayo Clinic both have specific team members in the human relations department working on the SkillBridge program. This ensures they can help manage applications and match as many people as possible to health care roles. HonorHealth has provided this job description for other hospitals to adapt as needed if they want to create their own positions focused on the SkillBridge program.
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic started using the SkillBridge program in 2021 as a way to expand its efforts to hire more veterans. SkillBridge can be used for clinical and non-clinical positions, depending on the job requirements and applicant background. Roles range from entry level to leadership positions, and some can be done remotely while others are in-person.
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Mayo Clinic has used the program to help place new veterans into full-time health care careers. Since the start of the program, 33 service members have participated in SkillBridge at Mayo Clinic, and 20 of those were offered full time positions after the completion of the internship. Hiring managers often enjoy working with SkillBridge participants because they already understand what it means to work in a mission-based organization, said Marcia Edwards, RACR, M.HR, Diversity Workforce Development Specialist and SkillBridge Program Specialist at Mayo Clinic.
“They come in with so much knowledge to share,” Edwards said. “They’re great team leads and team members. They can hit the ground running. ”
HonorHealth
HonorHealth has found similar success with the program. “Service Members bring matured leadership skills, teamwork and professionalism which align to HonorHealth’s mission and vision, and it strengthens our culture,” said Michelle Pabis, Vice President, Government and Community Affairs for HonorHealth.
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“In return, HonorHealth values and celebrates the talent and ethos that every Service Member brings to our healthcare team. The SkillBridge program is more than mutually beneficial; we’ve witnessed the positive impact it makes on our patients, visitors and local community.”