Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Reviews in Rhode Island

Former Employee – worked at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island

Pros – MHRI's most attractive benefit to employees is free family health insurance for full-time employees. This benefit sets the hospital apart from other hospitals in the area. Another attractive feature of working at MHRI is the opportunity to meet many different medical interns and residents who take part in patient care, as the hospital is a teaching hospital of Brown University.

Cons – MHRI's greatest flaws rest in management. Many of the department managers have been employed with the hospital for decades and were grandfathered into their positions. In some cases this means that college-educated employees are working for managers with little or no college education, who are making several times their salary. The lengthy tenures of management can also prevent opportunities for advancement among lower-ranking employees. As of the time I left MHRI, upper management also began reducing the hours of certain positions to make employees ineligible for the free health insurance or tuition reimbursement program.

Aside from the general managerial issues, the work experience at MHRI varies greatly from one department to the next. Some employees work in departments with high morale and job satisfaction, while others are downright miserable. It all depends on the leadership and management styles of the particular department managers. There are managers in certain departments who govern their employees through threats and fear, treating their workers as disposable labor. Unfortunately, these managers have been grandfathered into their positions, and will most likely remain with the hospital through retirement.

Advice to Senior Management – Given the hospital's financial situation, as well as management issues, it would be in the best interest of the hospital to enter into buy-out negotiations with one of the major regional healthcare networks (such as Lifespan or Partners Healthcare). Most other hospitals in Rhode Island have already taken this step.

Current Employee – been working at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island

Pros – Food in the cafeteria is subsidized by the hospital. The benefits are good. Blue Cross is totally free for employees and their families.

Cons – Too many managers in the department. Schedule is rotating with work every other weekend and every other holiday. Also have to rotate to 2nd and 3rd shift if needed. There are never enough drugs in the pharmacy - we always have to borrow from other hospitals - this is embarrassing when it's everyday. Salary is too low compared to other hospitals. Technology about 10 years behind other hospitals.

Advice to Senior Management – Pay better salaries to retain employees, get new technology. More staff is needed and renovate work areas. Fewer managers and more staff positions.