Vidant Health offers advice to out of work Washington County Hospital employees

Out of work and looking for the next opportunity, dozens of health care professionals that have fallen prey to the shutdown of a small rural hospital here in the east had the opportunity to get some advice Thursday morning from Vidant Health, the largest health care provider here in eastern Carolina.

Washington County Manager Curtis Potter says the job fair was limited to positions that are temporary in nature and that the hospital isn't trying to poach on anybody who might be a viable employee to return to the hospital if it can get back to normal hours.

Employees of the financially troubled, and as of right now, shutdown Washington County Hospital, made their way to Plymouth Church of Christ to get some direction with the help of representatives of Vidant Health.

This comes as WCH CEO Melanie Perry has stepped down.

Jay Briley, Vidant Community Hospitals President says, "We know that these folks have gone for days without a job and for some cases many more days without pay, so our goal today is to make sure they have the resources available to them to determine the next best step for them professionally."

But as the county government tries to wrestle back control of the hospital, is the regional health care giant too soon seizing the opportunity to scoop up talent?

Briley tells us they are only responding to community need saying, "Vidant Health is committed to eastern North Carolina and Vidant Health has received a number of requests from folks in the community to support the employees that now no longer have a job."

For the employees who have relied on the paychecks that are no longer being cut, Vidant's outreach Thursday was welcome.

Nurse Denise Thomas says, "Vidant, I salute them I take my hat off to them for even having this job fair here to give us opportunities and put out resumes to look for other employment."

Briley also says there have been no discussions at this point in time about what the future model is for in and around Washington County.

Vidant also wanted to assure residents that the community that's used Washington Count Hospital has access to care. If you haven't received care at a Vidant facility in the past you'll want to bring your medical records with you.