Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA
Q1 2011 - Market Summary
The near-term demand for health care workers in the Seattle metropolitan area remained flat during the first quarter of 2011 despite some notable news announcements during the quarter. Of particular note, Tacoma-based Franciscan Health Systems opened a 25-bed hospital in Enumclaw that includes a 24-hour emergency department, 12 emergency department treatment rooms and a rooftop landing pad for emergency helicopters. MultiCare Health System’s new $400 million tower at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup will also officially open shortly for patients. The new tower has 89 beds; the adjacent, original hospital has 193 beds. On a negative note, King County’s Public Health department announced plans to lay off 123 people, citing a 50 percent funding cut to a program that serves low-income pregnant women and their infants.
On a comparative basis, the strength of the Seattle health care labor market, as measured by the HWS LMPI, remained flat at 45.3 (vs. 45.4 for the prior quarter), and just under the national composite of 51.5.
Q1 Workforce Announcements
$400M MultiCare Puyallup tower opening. February 11, 2011
MultiCare Health System’s new $400 million tower at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup will officially open for patients. The new tower has 89 beds; the adjacent, original hospital has 193 beds.
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/02/11/400m-multicare...
New $75M hospital opening in Enumclaw. February 1, 2011
The 25-bed hospital, part of the Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System, is located at 1455 Battersby Ave. and includes a 24-hour emergency department, 12 emergency department treatment rooms and a rooftop landing pad for emergency helicopters.
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/02/01/new-75m-hospital...
Workers facing layoffs at Skagit Valley Hospital. January 27, 2011
Skagit Valley Hospital and Skagit Regional Clinics notified employees that 127 staff members would either be laid off or have their hours reduced as part of budget reductions hospital officials say are forced by the economy and ongoing changes to health care. Employment at the hospital is being reduced by the equivalent of 65.3 full-time employees.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014060192...
King County Public Health laying off 123. January 13, 2011
King County’s Public Health department will lay off 123 people, citing a 50 percent funding cut to a program that serves low-income pregnant women and their infants. The employees getting laid off in the Maternity Support Services department include 87 direct service staff members, 24 clinic support staff and 12 central administrative staff and program managers.
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/01/13/king-county...
Hospitals and Health Systems
Source: US News & World Report
Education Program Expansion and Closures
No notable education program expansions or closures announced during Q1 2011.
Education Programs
Source: The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
Health of the Local Economy
Declining home prices may cause healthcare employees to seek additional hours from current employers, delay retirement plans and be more willing to relocate for a better job opportunities. Below is the Case-Shiller Home Price Index for the overall Seattle-Bellevue-Everett market.
Source: http://www2.standardandpoors.com accessed 3/29/2011
Lower home ownership rates reduce the impact of home price fluctuations and increase the willingness of healthcare employees to relocate for better job opportunities. Below are home ownership rates for the overall Seattle-Bellevue-Everett market.
Source: www.census.gov accessed 3/29/2011
The recent rising unemployment rates create new demands for health services. Higher unemployment shifts the mix away from higher margin procedures to more primary care in the emergency room and critical care for conditions that should have been treated early at a primary care physician. In general, rising unemployment also reduces turnover and engagement of employed workers, while low unemployment tends to increase intra market churn. Below are unemployment rates for the overall Seattle-Bellevue-Everett market.
Source: www.bls.gov accessed 3/29/2011
Additional Factors Influencing HWS Labor Market PulseTM Index
• U.S. Census Bureau Population 3,344,813, #15 largest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population #168 oldest market
• U.S. Census Bureau Population Growth 9.9%, #139 fastest growing market
- Executive Summary
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