TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The St. Luke’s health system plans to hire at least 100 health professionals over the next five years to work in Twin Falls, Jerome and Ketchum.
A growing population and a need for specialty treatment are driving the hiring of doctors, physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners, spokeswoman Debbie Kytle told The Times-News.
“It’s mirroring the growth of the region,” said Kytle. “We’re looking at many different specialties, as well as surgical and medical sub-specialties.”
She said 30 of the new hires will fill vacancies due to retirements, while about 70 new positions are based on needs of the population.
Kytle said St. Luke’s has a recruitment team that specializes in reaching out to young doctors, nurse practitioners and others.
“Southern Idaho has so much to offer,” she said. “We’re looking for people who want to come to a place that’s safe, growing, family friendly and has four seasons and outdoor activities.”
She said St. Luke’s also tries to get young medical residents.
“We’re working on getting medical students and residents here because there’s great evidence that as they train in a community, they tend to stay,” she said.
She also said the hospital tries to take innovative and collaborative approaches.
“We’re surrounding our physicians with a team of nurses, therapists, care coordinators and others who help the physician take care of more people in a team-based model,” Kytle said. “We’re utilizing others to the top of their licenses.”
St. Luke’s earlier this month opened its Magic Valley Surgery Center in Twin Falls, officials said, in part because operating rooms were getting hard to come buy at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center.
