SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
As the demand for health care professionals surges across Alabama, institutions in and around Huntsville are ramping up efforts to prepare a workforce capable of meeting these needs.
According to AL.com, Huntsville accounted for 19% of the state’s job postings in May, with the health care sector being a significant contributor. The Alabama Department of Labor reported 477 health care job openings within 25 miles of Huntsville, and a recent search on Indeed.com revealed over 550 vacancies at Huntsville Hospital Health System and Crestwood Medical Center.
Both of Huntsville’s major health care facilities are expanding. Crestwood Medical Center recently opened a freestanding emergency department in Harvest, while Huntsville Hospital is in the midst of a $150 million Madison Street Tower expansion, which is expected to add 350 jobs.
Tracy Doughty, president and chief operating officer of Huntsville Hospital, highlighted the broad range of job opportunities within the health system, spanning from clinical roles to support services like administrative, clerical, and maintenance positions. “We’re focused on hiring fresh, vibrant talent while ensuring our current employees are well cared for,” Doughty said. “We aim to offer flexibility, allowing our staff to work part-time or take time off as needed, fostering a healthy work environment.”
Although the tower expansion is still two years from completion, the hospital is proactively planning its future staffing needs. Doughty emphasized the importance of apprenticeship programs and partnerships with local educational institutions in maintaining a robust workforce pipeline.
“We’re working hard to encourage young people to consider careers in health care. Thankfully, being in the Rocket City means our schools and colleges are agile in forming partnerships,” he noted.
Despite these efforts, Huntsville’s share of health care support jobs is currently below the national average. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ location quotient data shows that Huntsville’s concentration of “healthcare support occupations” is 0.65, indicating a lower-than-average share of these jobs compared to the rest of the country. However, specific roles like medical assistants (1.32) and phlebotomists (1.19) are more prevalent locally.
As Huntsville continues to grow, so does the need for more health care professionals. “The more people we have, the more we need to ensure we have enough caregivers,” said Lyndsay Ferguson, vice president of talent initiatives at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber collaborates with local educational institutions, including Calhoun Community College, Drake State Community and Technical College, Alabama A&M University, and Oakwood University, to communicate the demand for local health care jobs.
Ferguson explained that the Chamber promotes “smart careers” in fields like health care, where many roles require only a two-year degree but offer excellent career opportunities. Calhoun Community College President Jimmy Hodges emphasized the college’s ongoing collaboration with local health care professionals to ensure their curriculum aligns with industry needs.
Kenneth Kirkland, Dean of Health Sciences at Calhoun, pointed to the Rural Development Park initiative as an example of how dual-enrollment students are being trained to fill critical health care roles. “Our health science courses are designed to meet the demands of high-wage, in-demand jobs, ensuring students have the opportunity to advance in their careers while remaining in the field,” Kirkland said.
This collective effort by local institutions, hospitals, and educational partners is vital in addressing the growing health care needs of north Alabama, ensuring that the region is well-equipped to provide care for its expanding population.
