It’s National Healthcare Recruiter Recognition Day! We’d like to take some time to introduce you to Virginia Health Services’ Senior Recruiter Colleen Reynolds. We appreciate all she does daily to recruit new team members to the organization and help them through to the offer and onboarding processes.
Over the past two years, Colleen has been in the community to build awareness about Virginia Health Services and our employment opportunities. The community groups and education organizations she’s partnered with have helped elevate VHS’ recruiting efforts and attract top talent in a competitive industry.
Colleen started with Virginia Health Services more than two years ago. She was born and raised in New York and has lived in the South for the past 16 years. Colleen is a stepmom and dog mom to two girls, a 12-year-old and a French bulldog. She also is a true crime fanatic.
Community involvement
Colleen says the community partners she consistently works with stretch across the Peninsula, Gloucester area and Northern Neck. They include workforce development programs and higher education programs.
Colleen also attends career fairs throughout Hampton Roads. She follows up with recent college grads, such as those in the nursing programs at Hampton University, ECPI University and Fortis College, to make sure they are aware of available career paths at VHS.
She has partnered with Rappahannock Community College, Hampton University and Northern Neck Technical Center to conduct mock interviews and better help the students prepare for the “real world” when looking for employment.
Colleen also focuses on connecting with those in the VA and other military outlets to attract retirees and military spouses to careers with Virginia Health Services. One of those partners is Hamilton Ryker’s TalentGro.
Additional community outreach partners include: Hampton Roads Workforce Council, New Horizons, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Peninsula Regional Education Program (Newport News), Tidewater Medical Training, Brooks Crossing-Navigation Wealth Program (Newport News) and Virginia Peninsula Community College and VPCC Workforce Development.
Why healthcare recruiting?
Colleen says she was drawn to recruiting so she could help individuals reach their career goals.
“When I am able to make the initial connection with a candidate and follow them through the interview process, all of the way to the job offer, it is extremely rewarding to be a small part of their professional development and journey,” she says.
The healthcare industry stands out because these positions offer job stability – there’s always a need, regardless of location. She says it’s one industry where starting at entry-level can mean advancement to other specialized roles.
“The possibilities are truly endless within the healthcare industry,” she says.
Recruiting Roadshow
Colleen hosts quarterly Recruiting Roadshows at VHS’ seven nursing and rehabilitation centers. The events allow her to interact with current team members in their work environment and show appreciation for what they do. It is helpful in better targeting quality candidates.
“It also means being flexible in completing the interview/offer/new hire paperwork process on site,” she says. The Roadshow also gives candidates the chance to meet the team and management, and ask questions.
The next Roadshow is June 24-27. Get the schedule here.
Careers at VHS
We having openings for nursing positions, dietary, housekeeping and more. View our job listings and apply to careers with Virginia Health Services at vahs.com/careers.
